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
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.
Keith Buglewicz has worked in the automotive industry since 1994, writing thousands of car-related articles, and he's tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Keith is the managing editor of CarMax at Edmunds, and his byline can be found at KBB, MotorTrend, Autobytel and many others. Keith considers himself exceptionally lucky to be working the dream job he’s had since high school.
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.
The 5 Series will automatically switch to gas when the electric battery is low.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of West Chicago, Illinois. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.
240V Home ChargingEstimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.
EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.
8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.
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
$157/mo
5 Series
vs
$209/mo
Car Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois
Am I Ready for a Plug-In Hybrid?
EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet) This typically means a 240V home installation, or other places your car is parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice.
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in This is an estimate for your area. Using your address and the answers you provide, Treehouse can provide a more accurate price.
Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn more about the installation services partnershipEdmunds customers receive a 10% installation discount and 4% smart charger discount. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.
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.
Very Good
8.2
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
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.
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.
Save as much as $3,539 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; $3,539 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the 550e xDrive trim.
2025 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid pricing in West Chicago, IL
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.
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.
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
Was this information helpful?
Most Helpful Owner Review
Sleek and Smooth!
5 out of 5 stars
Andrew G, 11/15/2024
2025 BMW 5 Series 550e xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A)
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!
67 MPGeMPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe.
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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