The eighth generation BMW 5 Series is familiar - yet very different. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

BMW's 'G60' eighth generation 5 Series has changed - but not beyond recognition. The looks get sharpened, there's enhanced cabin media tech, engine electrification now proliferates and an all-new full-EV variant joins the range. Otherwise, the line-up continues with much the same polished, Teutonic and mildly dynamic appeal as before.

Background

How do you right a bestseller? This eighth generation G60-era 5 Series is BMW's answer to that question when it comes to the Munich maker's uber-successful offering in the full-Executive segment. It's G30 predecessor was the biggest selling 5 Series design to date, this model line's lineage dating all the way back to the Seventies. It's never looked quite like this though. Diesels have been dumped, there's just one single entry-level variant you can't plug-in and a huge proportion of sales will be accounted for by an all-electric version, the i5. There are of course more familiar elements to this MK8 design: a developed version of the old car's 'Cluster Architecture' CLAR platform; the 'Curved Screen' cabin tech we now see in all new BMWs. And the car rolls out of the same German Dingolfing factory as its predecessor. Its role though, is to prepare us for a very different 5 Series future.

Driving Experience

For decades now, 5 Series sales have been primarily diesel-led. The line-up's perennial bestseller, the 520d, still on sale in Europe, isn't even offered here now. And the only variant that doesn't require a plug to maximise its efficiency returns is the entry-level 520i sDrive. This runs the latest version of the brand's 2.0-litre four-cylinder 48V mild hybrid petrol engine driving the rear wheels. There's 208hp on tap, which means 62mph in 7.5s en route to 143mph. The alternative is the all-electric i5, which borrows its EV drivetrain from the only slightly smaller i4. And like that car is offered in two forms: the rear-driven eDrive40 with 340hp (62mph from rest in 6.0s en route 119mph) giving up to 382 miles of range. Or there's the four-wheel drive M60 xDrive, which mates its stablemate's rear motor with an additional one at the front, creating a combined output of 601hp (so 0-62mph in 3.8s en route to 142mph, with up to 331 miles of range). If you need to go electric but aren't quite ready for a full EV, then you can choose between a couple of Plug-in Hybrids, the rear-driven 530e sDrive with 299hp; and the four-wheel drive 550e xDrive with 489hp. Both use a larger 19.4kWh battery than their previous generation counterparts, allowing the 530e to go up to 63 miles on battery power - it's up to 56 miles for the 550e. At the top of the line-up is the fiery 727hp M5, which is now a 4.4-litre V8 PHEV. Across the 5 Series range, firm M suspension is the standard ride set-up, which suggests a driver-orientated vibe. You can option that up to 'Adaptive Professional' suspension, which gives you adaptive dampers and rear wheel-turning 'Integral Active Steering'. The top set-up is 'Adaptive M Professional' (standard-fit on the M60), which combines rear-wheel steering with active roll stabilisation.

Design and Build

This is a meaner, leaner, more muscular kind of 5 Series and this eighth generation G60 model has grown in every direction - 93mm longer, 35mm wider and 24mm taller. The saloon is of course joined by a Touring estate version. Both body styles share what the brand calls 'a clear, reduced design language and athletic proportions'. The classic kidney grille continues at the front, even though it isn't needed on the i5, where it's blanked off. And traditional door handles have made way for flush-fitting ones. These, along with a flat underbody, explain an impressively sleek drag factor of up to 0.22Cd. There are no surprises inside if you happen to have tried the current 7 Series. Which means a triple-layered dashboard supporting a single 'Curved Display' panel combining a 12.3-inch instrument screen with a 14.9-inch central monitor. The latter runs the latest 8.5-spec version of BMW's media operating system, which means it gains video and gaming functions for the first time. As in the '7', a touch-sensitive back-lit 'Interactive Bar' can be specified, this featuring colour-adaptive functionality. As standard, the cabin comes decked out in vegan leather upholstery; and the lower console now has only a small toggle for a gear selector. For this MK8 design, BMW's added 20mm extra to the wheelbase length, which has freed up a little extra back seat space. Boot capacity is rated at 520-litres (appropriately) for the 520i, 410-litres for the PHEVs or 490-litres for the i5. As previously, you can flatten the rear backrest on the saloon to increase luggage space length.

Market and Model

Expect an increase over previous 5 Series prices, which means you'll be looking at £51,000 for the entry-level 520i sDrive. You'll need nearly £68,000 for the least expensive i5 eDrive40 in base 'Sport Edition' form (and over £6,000 more for it in 'M Sport' trim). You'll need nearly £98,000 for the twin motor i5 M60 xDrive. For the 520i and the 530e and 550e, the default trim level is 'M Sport', BMW having realised that most customers previously upgraded to this trim level anyway. If you want more, there's an 'M Sport Pro' trim option. The 530e PHEV prices from around £60,000, while the 550e PHEV is pitched from just over £76,500. Even the standard spec comes with quite a lot. 'M Sport' trim includes 18-inch alloy wheels, power-folding mirrors and Adaptive LED headlights with high beam assist. Inside, there's a Harmon Kardon audio system, heated front sports seats, a wireless smartphone charging tray, ambient lighting and automatic air conditioning. If you stretch to 'M Sport Pro' level, you get an illuminated front grille, meaner looking 'Shadowline' headlights, a rear spoiler, larger wheels with red-painted brake calipers and, inside, an upgraded audio system and M Sport seat belts. Most customers will want to add in one of the available optional packs. The 'Comfort Pack' gives you a heated steering wheel, an auto boot lid and keyless entry. The 'Comfort Pack Plus' includes 4-zone air conditioning, heated rear seats and ventilated front seats. The 'Tech Pack' includes BMW's 'Parking Assist Plus' system that automatically steers you into spaces, plus gesture control and an interior camera. The 'Tech Pack Plus' adds the brand's 'Parking Assistant Pro' set-up that remembers parking spaces, and the pack also includes BMW's suite of 'Driving Assistant Pro' driver assist features.

Cost of Ownership

For the 520i sDrive petrol model with its 48V mild hybrid powertrain, expect up to 48.7mpg on the combined cycle and up to 132g/km of CO2. As for the petrol Plug-in Hybrids, the 530e sDrive and 550e xDrive models both use the same 19.4kWh battery, giving an EV range of 58.4-63.4 miles for the 530e and 52.8-55.9 miles for the 550e. We gave you the all-electric i5 eDrive40's driving range figure in our driving section - up to 382 miles. Or up to 331 miles for the M60 xDrive. These figures come via an extremely slim high-voltage battery located low down in the vehicle floor and providing 81.2kWh of usable energy (quite a lot smaller than the 101.7kWh battery used in the larger i7). The heat pump technology used in the integrated heating and cooling system for the cabin and drive system helps boost efficiency, as does the adaptive or individually adjustable recuperation feature. The high-voltage battery is heated using a dedicated 5.5 kW electric flow heater. The Combined Charging Unit in the i5 eDrive40 allows AC charging at a rate of up to 11kW, while DC power can be taken on board at a rate of up to 205kW. This allows for a 10-80% charge within 30 minutes. Hooked up to a 7.4kW garage wallbox, a full charge would need around 13 hours. The 'BMW Charging' package comes as standard on the i5, which gives owners attractive kilowatt hour tariffs for AC and DC charging throughout the UK and Europe. The high-power charging network run by the BMW Group's joint venture IONITY also forms part of the BMW Charging network. Almost 16,000 charging points are included in the UK and Ireland, while the monthly fee for BMW Charging and IONITY is waived for the first 12 months for all retail customers.

Summary

The 5 Series is BMW's oldest nameplate, a model that pre-dates the current industry obsession with SUVs and will probably outlast it. Though it's true that you might prefer the cossetting luxury of a Mercedes E-Class - or perhaps the cool, understated vibe of an Audi A6 - it's also difficult to deny that now, more than ever before, this BMW provides much of what you get from those two rivals in a package that's slightly more purposeful, both visually and dynamically. There's premium pricing of course, but that also applies to the latest versions of key prestige-badged rivals. At least with this BMW, you feel that money's buying you a car that showcases the current state of the automotive art. Whether you prioritise clever gadgetry, hi-tech engineering or sharp running costs in your full-sized Executive car, this BMW operates from an agenda that will certainly impress. In summary, though much is different here, much is as it always was. Over five decades, the question facing customers in the segment for full-sized Executive cars has often less been why they should choose a 'Five' but why they shouldn't. And it still is. By a small but significant margin, this Munich maker still sets the class standard.

Body Glass

Automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlight

Acoustic glazing

Electric front and rear windows with fingertip open/close + anti-trap facility and comfort closing function

Heated windscreen washer jets

Brakes

Brake energy regeneration

M Sport brake in dark blue metallic painted brake callipers with M designation

Engine drag torque control

Hill start assist

Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Electromechanical parking brake with automatic drive away release and auto hold function

Dynamic brake control

Cornering brake control (CBC)

PC iBrake PostCrash approach control warning with light braking function

Trailer stability control

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

Front and rear brake discs with interior ventilation

Brake assist

Electronic brake force distribution

Carpets/Rugs

Velour floormats

Communication

Personal e-SIM

Driver Aids

Front collision warning with brake intervention

Power assisted steering

Left turn warning with brake function

Driver Convenience

Driving Assistant Plus Preparation

Stop/start button

Driver Information

Run flat indicator

Brake pad wear indicator

On board computer inc. average speed, fuel consumption, liquid crystal Info display, journey computer, outside temperature display, personal profile

BMW legal emergency call

Oil sensor for level and grade

BMW ConnectedDrive online services

Service interval indicator

BMW Teleservices

Multifunctional instrument panel

Powered by Operating System 7.0

On-board diagnosis - OBD

Driving Mirrors

Electric adjustable door mirrors

Entertainment

DAB tuner

Exterior Body Features

Body colour door handles

Rear side wing doors

Rear boot

Body coloured bumpers

Exterior Lights

LED daytime running lights

Follow me home headlight function

Headlight elements in blue

Optimum, homogeneous illumination of the road

Dynamic brake lights with LED technology

Light colour close to that of ordinary daylight

BMW selective beam

LED third brake light

Automatic cornering lights

Adaptive LED Headlights

Interior Features

M Anthracite headlining

3 spoke leather M steering wheel in BMW M specific design with M badge

Wireless charging tray

M Sport pedal covers in stainless steel

High-gloss black door switch cluster, power window switch and tailgate button on first and second row seat

Armrest - front and rear integrated door trim, centre console includes storage compartment, rear centre includes 2 cupholders

Packs

Ambient lighting pack - 5 Series/I5

Connected package professional - 5 Series/I5

M high gloss shadow line pack - 5 Series/ I5

M Sport exterior styling pack - 5 Series/I5

Expanded exterior mirror package - 5 series/I5

Technology plus pack with Parking Assistant Professional - 5 Series/I5

Safety

Front and rear curtain airbags

Side impact protection

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Airbag deployment is controlled with respect to the intensity and scope

Driver/front passenger side airbags

Locking of doors after driving off

Driver and front passenger airbags

Two tone horn

Front head restraints with anti-whiplash

Crash sensor activating central locking release, hazard warning lights, fuel cut off and interior lighting

Active protection

Head airbags for first and second row seats

3 rear three point seatbelts

Driver central airbag

Mechanical child proof lock on rear doors

Seats

Rear headrests

Through loading system with 40/20/40 rear seat backrest split

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Child seat ISOFIX attachment with rear outer seats includes top tether

Single front passenger seat

Security

Alarm system

Locking wheel bolts including wheel bolt adapter

Transmission

8 speed automatic steptronic transmission with gearshift paddles

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit plus

Emissions - ICE

Particles: 0.0001

HC+NOx: N

NOx: 0.013

HC: 0.012

CO: 0.067

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 169

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 124

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 114

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 140

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 132

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 140

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 130

Emissions - Lifecycle

Production Emissions - CO2e (Equivalent) - tonnes: 11.1

Lifetime Emissions - CO2e (Equivalent) - tonnes: 45.7

In-Life Emissions - CO2e (Equivalent) - tonnes: 34

End-of-Life Emissions - CO2e (Equivalent) - tonnes: 0.6

Engine and Drive Train

Fuel Delivery: TURBO INJECTION

Engine Code: B48B20M2

Gears: 8 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Compression Ratio: 11.6:1

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Catalytic Convertor: No

Camshaft: DOHC

Number of Valves: 16

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Cylinders: 4

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 82

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 94.6

CC: 1998

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 48.7

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 5.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 7.5

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 45.6

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 47.9

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 45.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.8

WLTP - MPG - High: 56.5

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 51.4

WLTP - MPG - Low: 37.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 6.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.9

General

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Based On ID: N

Special Order: 0

Special Edition: 0

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 89

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 86

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 35E

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Safety Assist %: 78

Badge Power: 208

Coin Series: M Sport Tech+/Comf+

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Generation Mark: 8

Coin Description: i

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 33.7

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.5

Engine Power - BHP: 208

Top Speed: 143

Engine Power - KW: 153

Engine Power - RPM: 5000

Engine Torque - RPM: 1500

Engine Torque - NM: 330

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 243

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Rear: 245/45 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: DOUBLE SPOKE STYLE 935 M

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 245/45 R19

Alloys?: No

Vehicle Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2995

Width: 1900

Length: 5060

Width (including mirrors): 2156

Height: 1515

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2000

Max. Loading Weight: 610

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 60

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 520

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2335

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.7

Minimum Kerbweight: 1725

Body Glass

Sun protection glass

Chassis/Suspension

Adaptive suspension professional

Embellishment Trims

Dark Silver M accent combined with Carbon fibre and high gloss silver threads - dash & door

BMW Individual Silver Bronze accent combined with fine wood trim Fineline, open pored - dash & door

BMW Individual silver bronze accent combined with fine wood trim Fineline, open pored and silver bronze inlay - dash & door

Dark silver accent combined with fine wood trim dark oak high gloss - dash & door

Dark silver accent combined with open pored fine wood trim grey blue ash - dash & door

Entertainment

Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

BMW Individual Metallic paint

Additional BMW individual frozen metallic paint work

Panorama glass roof

Special BMW individual frozen metallic paint work

Interior Features

Electric sunblinds for rear side window

Merino leather upholstery

CraftedClarity interior controls

BMW Individual merino leather upholstery

Packs

Comfort plus pack with M multifunction seats - 5 Series/I5

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Fire red

Metallic - Carbon black

Metallic - Black sapphire

Metallic - Mineral white

Metallic - Phytonic blue

Metallic - Sophisto Grey Brilliant effect

Metallic - Cape york green

Metallic - Oxide grey

Metallic - Brooklyn grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alpine white

Paint - Special

BMW Individual metallic paint - Frozen deep grey

BMW Individual metallic paint - Tanzanite blue

BMW Individual paint - Special request

BMW Individual Metallic paint - Frozen pure grey

BMW Individual metallic paint - Frozen portimao blue

BMW Individual paint special - Custom

Towing

Towbar

Trim - Leather

BMW Individual Merino leather - Copper brown/Atlas grey

BMW Individual Merino leather - Black/Atlas grey

Merino leather - Black

Trim - Part Leather

Perforated and Quilted Veganza leather - Espresso Brown

Perforated and Quilted Veganza leather - Smoke White

Perforated and Quilted Veganza leather - Black

Wheels - Alloy

19" M aerodynamic bicolour black grey alloy wheels - Style 936 M

20" M light star spoke bicolour jet black alloy wheels - Style 938 M

20" M aerodynamic bicolour black grey alloy wheels - Style 939 M

21" BMW individual aerodynamic bicolour jet black alloy wheels - Style 954