In a way, the 2025 BMW 5 Series checks the right luxury-sedan boxes. It's quiet, high-tech, quick, and it balances handling and a comfortable ride. But it lacks the engaging driving experience associated with the German brand, making it feel more like a finely crafted luxury appliance than an exciting BMW.Read full review
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.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
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Cost to Drive
$131/mo
5 Series
vs
$176/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.
We drove the 2025 BMW 5 Series on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Driving experience
8.3/10
How does the BMW 5 Series drive? By the numbers, it's hard to fault this BMW. We've tested both the 530i and the 540i xDrive. The 530i sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 5.7 seconds. The 540i xDrive, thanks to its increased power and extra all-wheel-drive traction, made it in just 4.3 seconds. Our test cars were also fitted with the optional summer tires and sport-tuned suspension. So equipped, the 5 Series has plenty of grip and confidence during hard braking and cornering, but it does result in a harsher ride over rough streets. That said, the suspension manages to combine excellent body control and stability at highway speeds.
Around town, the 5 Series is an effortless companion. There's always ample power, and the BMW's sharp handling helps it confidently zip through traffic. But it feels devoid of real personality and simply isn't as fun or as engaging as we'd like.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the BMW 5 Series? The 5 Series excels as a luxury sedan. The supportive front seats can keep you comfortable for hours on end, and the rear seat is roomy enough for adults or a rear-facing child seat. Adding to the comfort of the 5 Series are its low noise levels. The six-cylinder engine sounds great when you floor it but otherwise is functionally inaudible.
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.
In-cabin tech
9.5/10
How’s the tech? BMW puts most of the car's controls in the quick and responsive touchscreen, which can also be used through voice command, a dial on the center console, or by literally waving your fingers in the air. While we prefer physical buttons, we like the customizable interface. However, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a more intuitive system that's also a little closer to the driver and easier to reach.
The optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system sounds superb, and it syncs wirelessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless charging is also standard, but the initial pairing with Apple CarPlay proved a little more complicated than we're accustomed to. Luckily, it's a one-and-done affair, and it worked fine once connected.
How’s storage and cargo? 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 it can be easily removed if you need to maximize cargo capacity. Even without removing the spare tire, we had no issue loading four carry-on suitcases into the trunk. 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.
Value
7.7/10
Is the BMW 5 Series a good value? BMW clearly builds the 5 Series with care, with panels fitting just right inside and out, high-quality materials everywhere, and touches like the faceted crystal knob for the iDrive control classing up the whole interior. The LED panels on the dash look great as well. It's a different vibe than you get in the Mercedes E-Class, which arguably has slightly nicer materials, but in reality it's no less luxurious.
While nobody could call the 5 Series a bargain, it undercuts the E-Class by thousands of dollars. Just note that you'll pay extra for things like driver's aids and even cooled front seats. BMW's warranty is competitive with others in the class but not particularly standout.
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the 530i will get 31 mpg in combined city/highway driving (30 mpg combined with xDrive all-wheel drive). The 540i xDrive drops a bit to 28 mpg. Both are good numbers for the class and are a bit better than estimates for comparable versions of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. During our testing, we had no issue getting to those numbers, which tells us the EPA's scoring is close to the mark.
X factor
8/10
While the 5 Series has a strong reputation as being fun to drive, this generation leaves some of that on the cutting-room floor. The 540i's more powerful engine certainly helps give it a leg up on the 530i, but ultimately it's not a very engaging driving machine. On the other hand, it has just about every feature you could want, and in a world where BMW's styling has gone off the rails on many models, the 5 Series is still on track.
2025 BMW 5 Series trim level differences
The 2025 BMW 5 Series is a midsize luxury sedan that is available with four powertrains. The 530i is the only rear-wheel-drive 5 Series; it's powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 530i xDrive uses the same engine and transmission but has all-wheel drive. A turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six putting out 375 horsepower and 398 lb-ft powers the 540i xDrive, and the same engine is paired with an electric motor to produce 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft in the plug-in hybrid 550e xDrive. BMW doesn't do trim levels like most automakers, instead offering an array of optional packages. Standard equipment and the available packages are largely the same with each powertrain.
Which 5 Series trim 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.
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Reliability
The 2025 BMW 5 Series has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 4 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, ranks it #14 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Reliability Rating by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#14 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$761/yr
vs. $729/yr for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
Frequency
0.48x/yr
vs. 1.74x/yr for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
Severity
15.8%
vs. 14.7% for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
powered by RepairPal
Recalls
4 recalls found
Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
Recall Number:
25V202000
Number of vehicles affected:
4456
Defect Description:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 330i, 330i xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive) and X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The electrical connection between the starter-generator and battery may come loose.
Defect Consequence:
A loose starter-generator connection can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, the wiring may overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will inspect and replace the starter-generator and positive battery cable as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall Number:
24V870000
Number of vehicles affected:
3
Defect Description:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 530i and 540i xDrive vehicles. The air bag control unit may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in the air bags not deploying as intended.
Defect Consequence:
Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The vehicles have not been sold from dealer inventory and therefore no owner letters will be mailed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall Number:
24V714000
Number of vehicles affected:
982
Defect Description:
BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2024-2025 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive, 2024-2025 i5 eDrive40, i5 M60 xDrive, 2025 i5 xDrive40, 2024 740i xDrive, 760i xDrive, 750e xDrive, i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60, and i7 M70 xDrive vehicles. The steering spindle may break requiring a greater steering effort to control the vehicle.
Defect Consequence:
A sudden increase in required steering effort increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will replace the steering spindle's double universal joint, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 22, 2024. Owners may contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall Number:
24V104000
Number of vehicles affected:
266716
Defect Description:
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.
Defect Consequence:
A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735.
The overall sentiment from owners about the 2025 BMW 5-Series is positive. Owners praise the car for its smooth ride, stylish looks, comfortable interior, and impressive gas mileage. However, some owners dislike the lack of regular buttons for controlling features and mention that the high price is a downside. Some also miss features that were available in older models and find the learning curve for the touchscreen to be challenging.
This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews
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 8.2 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 8.2 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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