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Exhilarating power, a serene ride, a top-notch safety score, and a cavernous cabin are just some of the traits that propel the 2021 BMW 5 Series toward the top of the luxury midsize car class.
The 2021 BMW 5-Series's #1 ranking is based on its score within the Luxury Midsize Cars category. Currently the BMW 5-Series has a score of 8.5 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 27 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Yes, the BMW 5 Series is a great luxury midsize car. It costs more than other cars in the class, but this BMW provides the appeal that justifies that cost. Every engine supplies plenty of power, and its ride remains refined on rough roads. Inside, this vehicle impresses with its roomy cabin and straightforward infotainment system. On top of that, it has a perfect safety score.
Our goal is to make shopping for your next car as easy as possible. You'll find everything you need to know about this sedan in our comprehensive review. It combines concrete data like fuel economy estimates, horsepower specs, and cargo space dimensions with 27 professional reviews.
This 2021 5 Series review incorporates applicable research for all models in this generation, which launched for 2017.
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While it’s a great car, the BMW 5 Series is pricey, and there are lots of appealing rivals in this class. The Audi A6 shares similarities with the 5 Series, including a lineup of strong engines. The Lexus ES is another well-rounded car, and it costs roughly $14,000 less to buy than the 5 Series.
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For 2021, BMW refreshes the 5 Series’ exterior styling, and features such as Android Auto and a new 12.3-inch touch screen (up from 10.25 inches) are now standard. Finally, a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup is a new addition to the 540i’s six-cylinder engine, bumping its fuel economy estimates from 22/30 mpg city/highway to 25/32 mpg.
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Here are the 5 Series’ key changes since BMW redesigned this vehicle for the 2017 model year:
If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2018 5 Series, 2019 5 Series, and 2020 5 Series reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.
The base 5 Series, the 530i, has a starting MSRP of $54,200. That’s one of the highest prices in the class. The top-of-the-line BMW M5 Competition exceeds $111,000.
Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local BMW dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our BMW deals page.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a good luxury midsize car, but the BMW is slightly better. Both German cars have high-quality, well-equipped cabins, and both have high-performance V8-powered variants, with the Mercedes-AMG and BMW M models. However, the 5 Series has better fuel economy, sharper handling, and a much better predicted reliability rating.
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The Audi A6 has much in common with the 5 Series. Its performance models, the S6 and RS, go toe-to-toe with the BMW M variants. Both cars also have opulent cabins and silky rides. However, the BMW takes the edge for its higher predicted reliability rating and straightforward infotainment controls.
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With a 14-cubic-foot trunk, the 5 Series has a typical amount of cargo room for the class. The plug-in-hybrid 530e loses space due to the placement of its battery pack. Its 10-cubic-foot trunk is small compared to other sedans, though you can fold the rear seats for a bit more space. A power trunk lid is available.
Up to five people can sit in this sedan. BMW’s SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery comes standard, as do 16-way power-adjustable front seats. Upgrades include genuine leather upholstery, heated rear seats, and front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and 20-way power adjustments.
Adults will find plenty of head- and legroom in both rows. Further boosting the 5 Series’ appeal are its supportive, well-cushioned seats that remain comfortable even after hours of driving.
There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system the second-highest rating of Acceptable for ease of use, noting that the lower anchors could be hard to maneuver around.
The BMW 5 Series has a luxurious cabin full of soft leathers, including high-end Merino leather in the M5. Still, some critics find the design to be a little dull compared to the more lavish interiors of competitors.
There are many ways to control the iDrive infotainment system, including a rotary dial, a touch screen, and voice commands, making it easy for users to master.
For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?
There’s no bad powertrain in this BMW. The base engine is strong enough for daily driving and delivers swift acceleration. That trend continues through the higher trims, with the six-cylinder and V8 engines all being powerhouses – especially in the high-end M5 and M5 Competition. Completing the powertrains is a refined automatic transmission.
The base BMW 530i earns an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Despite having a six-cylinder engine, the 540i nearly matches those figures – 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway – thanks to its 48-volt mild-hybrid setup. Those are decent figures for the luxury midsize car class. Adding all-wheel drive (called xDrive by BMW) reduces fuel economy.
The M550i returns 17/25 mpg city/highway, and the M5 and M5 Competition models trail at 15/21 mpg.
As of this writing, the EPA has not evaluated the 2021 530e, which is a plug-in hybrid. However, the similar 2020 model has an all-electric range of 21 miles and a combined city/highway rating of 69 MPG-equivalent. Its battery can be recharged in about three hours using a 240-volt household-style power outlet.
For more information, read What is MPGe?
Occupants of the 5 Series are treated to a serene ride. This vehicle glides over holes and bumps in the pavement. Steering is light, and the brakes are strong. While the 5 Series has competent handling, it doesn’t feel as sporty as some other BMW models or past versions of this car.
The 530e plug-in hybrid has a regenerative braking system, and for the most part, it operates smoothly and has a natural, progressive pedal feel.
BMW claims the 530i sedan has a zero-to-60 time of 5.9 or 5.8 seconds, depending on its drivetrain. The 530e plug-in hybrid makes the dash in 5.7 seconds. The 540i is a bit faster, going from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive and 4.6 seconds with all-wheel drive. The powerful M550i makes that sprint in 3.6 seconds, and the M5 rockets there in 3.2. You can reduce that to 3.1 seconds in the range-topping BMW M5 Competition.
When properly equipped, the 530i, 540i, and M550i have a top speed of 155 mph, according to BMW. The 530e has a top speed of 146 mph (143 with AWD), and the M5 and M5 Competition sedans can reach 156 mph.
Yes, BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system is standard in the M models and available in the others.
The 2021 BMW 5 Series has a good predicted reliability rating of four out of five.
BMW backs the 5 Series with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. Hybrid models also have an eight-year/80,000-mile high-voltage battery warranty.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2021 BMW 5 Series the highest rating of Good in all six crash tests, as well as for how well its headlights illuminate the road ahead. The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features, and it gave this sedan the highest rating of Superior for its standard and optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention systems.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not evaluated the 2021 BMW 5 Series.
Standard advanced safety features:
Available advanced safety features:
The 5 Series sedan is about 16.3 feet long. Its curb weight ranges from 3,765 to 4,345 pounds.
BMW builds the 2021 5 Series in Germany.
Known as E12, the initial 5 Series generation ran from 1972 to 1981. The M5 appeared with the second generation, E28, which spanned the 1981 through 1988 model years. All-wheel drive (xDrive) and a wagon body style appeared in the third generation E34 (1988 to 1996).
The fourth-generation 5 Series, designated E39, ran from 1995 to 2003. Then came the fifth generation E60, partly known for its controversial styling elements attributed to design director Chris Bangle. Its M5 model is the only version in the car's history with a V10 engine. The E60 generation was succeeded in 2010 by the sixth generation, known as the F10, which was the first available with a hybrid powertrain and the only model to have a hatchback Gran Turismo body type.
The 2021 model belongs to the G30 generation, which debuted for the 2017 model year.
BMW makes the 2021 5 Series in five main trim levels: 530i, 530e, 540i, M550i, and M5. A more potent version of the M5 is available, called the M5 Competition. Rear-wheel drive is standard. BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system is standard in M models and available in the others.
The main difference between these trims is the engine. Most shoppers should find that the base trim has ample power, and it's available with most of the tech and comfort features offered in the 5 Series.
The entry-level 530i has a starting MSRP of $54,200, and it's powered by a 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The 530i has a lengthy list of standard equipment, including BMW’s iDrive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touch screen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, cloud-based navigation, a 12-speaker stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and two USB ports.
Also included are a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery, 16-way power-adjustable front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and BMW’s Active Driving Assistant suite of driver assistance features. This package includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and a pre-collision warning and braking system.
Adding all-wheel drive costs $2,300. Leather seats costs $1,500. Then there are numerous packages. Available for $850, the Convenience package outfits this sedan with heated front seats, remote start, and a power trunk lid. The $2,700 Premium package includes all of that plus heated rear seats, a head-up display, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, and gesture-based infotainment controls. The Executive package costs $3,600 and includes both of the previous packages plus a rear-window sunshade and ceramic controls.
The packages don’t stop there. You can add the Driving Assistance Plus package for $1,700, and you’ll get lane centering, traffic jam assist, front cross traffic alert, and steering evasion assist. The $800 Parking Assistance package comes with parallel park assist. There’s also a $1,000 Luxury Seating package that adds ventilated and 20-way power-adjustable front seats.
Massaging front seats cost $1,000, and a heated steering wheel can be added for $190.
Pricing for the 530e starts at $57,200. While largely boasting the same features and options as the 530i, the 530e stands out for being a plug-in hybrid. It has a turbo-four gas engine paired with an electric motor and a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a total output of 288 horsepower. AWD again costs $2,300.
The 540i retails for $59,450. Other than a 335-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six engine, it has the same features and options as the 530i. It also can be had with a $3,500 Dynamic Handling package, which adds dynamic damper control, active roll stabilization, and adaptive drive. AWD costs $2,300.
The M550i (MSRP: $76,800) comes standard with AWD. It also has a 523-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 engine, an M rear spoiler, Dakota leather seats, 20-way power-adjustable multicontour front seats, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon stereo. The same packages from the 540i are available, although pricing may differ. A 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo can be added for $3,400.
The BMW M5 sedan starts at a whopping $103,500. It has the same engine as the M550i but juices it for 600 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, as are a Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless device charging, two more USB ports, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start.
For $111,100, you can buy the M5 Competition. It’s an even more potent version of the M5, making an additional 17 horsepower. It also includes an M Sport exhaust, M Sport seat belts, and shadowline exterior styling,
Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local BMW dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our BMW deals page.
See 2021 BMW 5 Series specs and trims »
The BMW 5 Series is a luxury midsize car with many appealing traits, including a great safety score and an above-average predicted reliability rating. Inside, it has a handsome and spacious cabin, as well as plenty of high-tech features. This sedan also has a cushioned ride and several powerful engine options from which to choose. It’s pricey, but it’s so well-rounded that it may be worth the cost.
Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.
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