2024 BMW 5-series

Overview

The 5-series has long served as BMW’s middle-child sedan, offering a just-right size for buyers who can’t fit a 7-series in their parking spot and for whom the 3-series feels a bit too cramped. The upcoming new generation of the 5-series doesn’t deviate from this Goldilocks storyline, and it offers a spacious cabin filled with luxuries. The 5-series’s new digital dashboard features BMW’s iDrive 8.5 interface, and the company’s hands-free driver-assistance system is available, too. Our chief complaint about the previous-generation 5 was that it sacrificed some of its athletic road manners in the name of comfort, but if the new 7-series is anything to go by, BMW has figured out a way to engineer some of that driver-first ethos back into its larger sedans. Although the current 5-series is still relatively fresh, receiving its most recent revision only a couple of years ago, this ground-up redesign should keep it competitive against rivals such as the Audi A6, the Genesis G80, and the Mercedes-Benz E-class—the last of which has also been fully redesigned this year.

What’s New for 2024?

BMW is preparing the next-generation 5-series sedan together with an all-electric i5 variant as well as the performance-oriented M5 sports sedan. We expect to see the new four-door hit dealer lots before the end of 2023.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

530i

$58,895

530i xDrive

$61,195

$65,895

Although the 5-series has been redesigned for 2024, it’s offered with familiar powertrains and trim levels, starting with an entry-level 530i model and culminating in a more powerful 540i xDrive trim. A plug-in hybrid is said to be joining the lineup later, but our favorite setup in the last-generation model was the inline-six 540i, and we’re inclined to recommend that one again.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

For 2024, the 5-series will be offered only in 530i and 540i guises, with the former getting a 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and either rear- or all-wheel drive. The 540i comes with all-wheel drive standard as well as a 375-hp turbocharged inline-six. Both are augmented by a 48-volt hybrid system. BMW says the 540i should be powerful enough to hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. A plug-in hybrid powertrain is expected to arrive for the 2025 model year. When we get a chance, we’ll take the new 5-series to our test track and update this story with test results and driving impressions.

More on the 5-Series Sedan

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA hasn’t released fuel economy estimates for the 2024 5-series yet, but it shouldn’t be too far off from the current model’s numbers. Once the model becomes available, we’ll take the 5-series on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route and update this story with test results. For more information about the 5-series’ fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Interior dimensions have increased a bit, so there should be plenty of room for adult riders to get comfortable in the front and rear seats of the 5-series, and the cabin looks appropriately deluxe. While genuine leather upholstery remains an option, BMW has included a vegan-friendly option called Veganza this time around. All models come with an automatic climate control system with vents that are cleverly integrated into the dashboard design to hide them from view. A tilt-and-slide sunroof is standard, but you can also opt for a large, fixed glass roof that extends into the rear-seat area. The optional Luxury Seating package adds heated and ventilated front seats with more power adjustments and a massage feature; the Premium package adds a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, and more; and the Executive package adds the panoramic glass roof as well as power rear sunshade, glass interior controls, and an interior camera.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

All 5-series models come with a large curved digital panel with a 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system is already in use in other BMW models such as the 7-series sedan and the iX electric SUV and has proven quite intuitive in our experience. A head-up display is optional, but all models come standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Harman/Kardon stereo system, and a video game system BMW calls AirConsole that can only be used when the car is parked.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 5-series offers the expected driver-assistance features as standard, including automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, but more advanced features—including BMW’s Highway Assistant hands-free driving mode—are optional. For more information about the 5-series’ crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW’s warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance are about average for the segment but fall short of what’s offered on the Jaguar XF.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles