The eighth-generation BMW 5 Series is here and fully redesigned for 2024. Any changes run the risk of spoiling the 5 Series' continued success, though BMW has knocked it out of the park with this new one. All-new styling inside and out keeps this luxury sedan looking and feeling fresh, while revised powertrains promise both improved power and better fuel efficiency. The 5 Series adopts BMW's latest in-car tech and driver aids, including, in a first for this vehicle, the automaker's hands-free highway driving system.
The 5 Series' update could not have come at a better time as the new model takes advantage of all the strides BMW has made to its products over the past few years. The new 5 Series improves on its predecessor in every way. The new exterior styling is bold, but it skips out on the comically large and divisive grilles we've seen on other recent BMW models. The interior draws significantly from the larger (and also recently redesigned) BMW 7 Series, with a sleek, premium look and feel that put it among the best you'll find in a midsize luxury sedan today. It makes the 5 Series feel closer to a scaled-down 7 Series than an enlarged 3 Series, a good thing in our eyes. We also like many of the latest technology and driver aids features BMW has used for the new car.
Notable rivals include the Audi A6, Cadillac CT5, Genesis G80, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volvo S90. Each has its strong points, but if you're looking for a car that nails just about everything we look for in a luxury sedan, it's hard to beat the redesigned BMW 5 Series. And if you're looking for something electric, the new BMW i5 is essentially a 5 Series with an all-electric powertrain.
While we like the power from the 540i's turbocharged inline-six engine, we think the best value from the 5 Series lineup comes from the 530i. Its four-cylinder engine provides plenty of power for day-to-day driving while yielding better fuel economy than the six-cylinder. Features are generally the same across both models too.
The 2024 BMW 5 Series midsize luxury sedan is currently available in three trims: 530i, 530i xDrive and 540i xDrive. The 530i models use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 540i xDrive uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six cranking out 375 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the base 530i, while xDrive models use an all-wheel-drive layout. An eight-speed automatic is the only available transmission. Keep reading for our breakdown of the 5 Series' significant standard and optional features.