The BMW 5 Series is a great choice for a luxury sedan. It's comfortable, quiet and equipped with all of BMW's latest technology features. Its touchscreen interface can be a little cumbersome to use at times, but otherwise there's really no downside to picking this 5 Series for your next car.Read full review
Jared Gall started his career in the auto industry in 2001 with an internship at Car and Driver. He has written and edited many thousands of car reviews, technological deep-dives, industry analyses, and personality profiles. He is a correspondent at Edmunds and still has the 1969 Chevrolet C20 he dragged out of his parents' barn and drove until Car and Driver started giving him cars to evaluate.
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
Pros
Comfortable ride and handling
More cargo space than most rivals
Lots of standard in-car tech features
Excellent fuel economy for the class
Cons
Some onscreen controls are hard to learn or access
What's new
Plug-in hybrid 550e xDrive joins the lineup
Standard heated front seats
Part of the eighth 5 Series generation introduced for 2024
Overview
Midsize luxury sedans occupy a rare all-things-to-all-people spot along the automotive spectrum, and the BMW 5 Series nails the brief better than most. It's large enough to package an adult-friendly back seat and small enough to still be engaging and efficient — the four-cylinder 530i gets 35 mpg on the highway, and even the 375-hp 540i xDrive manages 33 mpg. The interior is sleek and modern without placing form over function, and the ride is all-day comfortable. There is little a driver — or passenger — can ask of a car that the 5 Series does not excel at.
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Cost to Drive
Not EPA Tested
5 Series
vs
$170/mo
Car Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
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With a couple of new additions for 2025, the BMW 5 Series now covers the full spectrum of powertrains. Fans of internal combustion engines can choose from the four-cylinder 530i and six-cylinder 540i. Those willing to dip a toe into electrification have the new plug-in hybrid 550e. Then there's the i5, which we review separately, for buyers who are ready to commit to an EV. And for those interested in a plug-in hybrid but who also need 717 horsepower — and who doesn't? — there's the new M5, which we also review separately.
Competitors to consider
There is an awful lot of excellence to be found in midsize luxury sedans. Like the 5 Series, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6/A7 hoard more than their fair share. The Genesis G80 boasts genuine luxury features and style at a discount compared to the Germans, but doesn't quite have the comprehensively solid feel of the class leaders. The Cadillac CT5, too, while entertaining to drive — and also bargain-priced — lacks the fine degree of polish of the others. Read our Expert Rating below to see exactly how the 2025 BMW 5 Series stands out from the pack.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our Verdict
The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Great
8.1
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The BMW 5 Series is a great choice for a luxury sedan. It's comfortable, quiet and equipped with all of BMW's latest technology features. Its touchscreen interface can be a little cumbersome to use at times, but otherwise there's really no downside to picking this 5 Series for your next car.
How does the 5 Series drive? Our test car was a rear-wheel-drive 530i optioned with the M Sport package. Power from the turbocharged four-cylinder is more than adequate. At our test track, our 530i accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The engine's ample torque is well matched to the gearing of the transmission and makes the 530i feel plenty quick around town. The six-cylinder 540i is noticeably quicker, but we think most shoppers will be satisfied with the less expensive 530i.
Our test car also had impressive braking and handling. Much of the credit goes to the upgraded suspension and brakes from the M Sport package, but any 5 Series should feel confident during emergency maneuvers or enthusiastic driving simply because the underlying chassis is so well engineered.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the 5 Series? The 5 Series excels at comfort. Even with our test car's optional sport suspension and 21-inch wheels, the ride remained compliant and composed at all speeds. The front seats are supportive and can keep you comfortable for hours on end. Adding to the comfort of the 5 Series are its low noise levels. The engine is hardly audible doing typical driving, and there's impressively little road and tire noise.
The 5 Series' climate system is powerful but is a little more complicated to operate than it should be. The air vents are needlessly difficult to adjust and fine-tune, and the touchscreen-based controls can be distracting to use while driving.
Interior
8.5/10
How’s the interior? Most of the car's controls are found on the touchscreen. We wouldn't mind having more physical buttons, but the touchscreen is quick and responsive and has a customizable interface. The touchscreen also allows for a very clear and comprehensive surround-view camera system.
The interior is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of room in both rows for adults. As you'd expect in a midsize sedan, most passengers will have no issue with legroom and headroom in the back seat of a 5 Series. The doors open wide, making getting in and out a breeze. The driving position is equally nice, with all of the controls within easy reach. The seat isn't overly low, and it's easy to find a comfortable height and angle.
Save as much as $920 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $920 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the 550e xDrive trim.
2025 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid pricing in Midland, TX
How’s the tech? The large infotainment screen works great for navigation. Inputting directions is easy using the screen or voice commands, and the navigation links with the instrument cluster and head-up display to show turn-by-turn directions. Voice commands can also be used to change the climate control, adjust the radio, or even roll up the rear sunshades. Voice prompts work well, though the system isn't quite as robust as Mercedes' MBUX or some Google-based systems.
If you prefer to use your own device, the 5 Series comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; both include wireless connectivity. There's also a wireless charging pad as well as plenty of USB-C ports spread throughout both rows of seats. The i5 would score even higher here if some of our editors didn't have recurring issues when trying to get CarPlay to launch in our test car.
As you might expect with a modern luxury vehicle, the 5 Series is available with many advanced driver aids, including hands-free highway driving. They worked well in our testing and didn't have any annoying false alarms. Just know that BMW is a bit stingy and doesn't include all of them as standard equipment.
Storage
8/10
How’s the storage? The 5 Series has one of the larger trunks in the class. There's a temporary spare tire that takes up a bit of space but that can be easily removed if you need to maximize cargo capacity. Storage inside the cabin is pretty good too. There are spots to stash sunglasses, a keycard and more. The small bin in front of the cupholders is large enough to stash two phones. The 5 Series should also work out well if you have small children. The spacious rear seat should accommodate larger rear-facing child safety seats with relative ease, and the seat anchor points are easy to access.
How’s the fuel economy? Fuel economy estimates for the BMW 5 Series are quite good for such a large vehicle. The EPA estimates a rear-wheel-drive 530i, which is what we tested, gets 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We did even better in our real-world evaluation route with 34.1 mpg. If you prefer the more powerful 540i with all-wheel drive, it gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg, making the 5 Series one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the class.
Value
8/10
Is the 5 Series a good value? The 5 Series' interior design is as classy as what you'll find in a Mercedes E-Class and better than the interiors of other midsize luxury sedans. The design looks great, and everything you look at or touch is first-rate. The LED ambient light panels on the dash and doors are a nice touch. You would be hard-pressed to find a place inside the 5 Series, even the entry-level one, where it feels like corners have been cut.
Even with its excellent build quality, the 5 Series is priced competitively in the segment and undercuts the E-Class by thousands of dollars. Just be aware that some features, such as advanced driver aids, you might assume are standard at this price are not. BMW's four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranties are average for the class. BMW also includes four years/unlimited miles of roadside assistance and three years/36,000 miles of maintenance, which is better than what most luxury cars offer.
Wildcard
8/10
Historically, the BMW 5 Series has been the driving enthusiast's choice for a midsize luxury sedan. While this current generation of 5 Series can still do all right for itself on a twisting back road, it's ultimately not really fun to drive. Making up for it is a high level of cohesiveness. The 5 Series also has less polarizing styling than many of the other vehicles in BMW's lineup.
Which 5 Series does Edmunds recommend?
It's tempting to be sensible and say we'd go with the 530i, but with 375 horsepower and 33 mpg on the highway in an all-wheel-drive luxury sedan, the 540i xDrive makes its own kind of sense. Or maybe we're drawn to it because it makes so little sense — that combination is rather amazing. And BMW says the 540i xDrive will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
Future Cars to Get Excited About | The Best New & Upcoming Cars for 2024-2025
NOTE: This video is about the 2024 BMW 5 Series, but since the 2025 BMW 5 Series is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
New year, new cars! There are tons of all-new or updated vehicles coming to market next year, and we're here to tell you all about the most exciting models. Join Edmunds' Brian Wong and Alistair Weaver for a full rundown of 2024's upcoming cars!
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 5 Series both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.1 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the 5 Series has 18.4 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a BMW 5 Series. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 BMW 5 Series?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 BMW 5 Series:
Plug-in hybrid 550e xDrive joins the lineup
Standard heated front seats
Part of the eighth 5 Series generation introduced for 2024
To determine whether the BMW 5 Series is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the 5 Series. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the 5 Series's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 BMW 5 Series a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 BMW 5 Series is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 5 Series and gave it a 8.1 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 5 Series is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 BMW 5 Series?
The least-expensive 2025 BMW 5 Series is the 2025 BMW 5 Series 550e xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $73,400.
Other versions include:
550e xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $73,400
If you're interested in the BMW 5 Series, the next question is, which 5 Series model is right for you? 5 Series variants include 550e xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A). For a full list of 5 Series models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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