2021 BMW 5-Series Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, and Photos

With the 2021 five-Series luxurious mid-size sedan, BMW proves that less is more—except when more is more. 

The new sedan comes this July with more electricity in some variations, more electrified selections, and more screens. Its grille will take up comparably less space on its snout than some other BMWs (seven-Series, we’re looking at you) and the new five-Series consumes less gas, in some products. We’ll give you two guesses if the new five-Series costs more or less than final year’s variation, whilst we’re betting you only need to have a single. 

Like final 12 months, BMW provides the five-Series in 530i, 540i, 530e, and M550i generate configurations with a dizzying array of powertrains: four-, 6-, and eight-cylinder electricity are obtainable, with or without hybrid batteries. The foundation 2021 530i costs $fifty five,195, which includes location, which is $three hundred more than the 2020 variation. 

Review proceeds underneath

Design and style and efficiency

If you’ve observed a new BMW five-Series, you’ve presently observed the 2021 five-Series. Which is the most polite way we can say: Not a lot has transformed for this 12 months. The new five-Series’ beak is a little sharper, its headlights are a little narrower, and its grille is a little bigger—although not as huge as other BMW sedans. 

In back, the trapezoidal tailpipe finishers go versus the grain (other automakers are now hiding their tailpipes) and the taillights are a little more vertical. 

Within, twin 12.3-inch screens dominate the interior in fantastic and poor methods. The fantastic? It retains tempo with the tech arms race from other luxurious automakers this kind of as Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The poor? It clutters an otherwise up to date interior that’s cleanse and traditional. 

Like final 12 months, the five-Series is obtainable in a stupefying selection of configurations that climb up the price tag and efficiency ladder. 

The 2021 five-Series begins with the 530i, which works by using a capable two.-liter turbo-four that makes 248 hp. Rear-wheel generate is normal, and all-wheel generate is obtainable on those products. 

The next step up is the most efficient five-Series. The 530e pairs a turbo-four with electric powered motors and a hybrid battery pack to make 288 hp combined. Compared to final year’s 530e, the 2021 variation is more powerful by forty hp and its battery is about 33{0764260a27b4b31ca71a8adf79c3ae299a61e6f062052eee3f0df84ce9b30ade} even bigger than 2019 variations. (The 2020 battery was the very same size as the new 2021 variation). The EPA has not yet tallied the new 530e’s mileage, but the final product traveled about 20 miles on electric power on your own. The 530e also provides a forty hp increase in 10-2nd sprints, which is new this 12 months.

The next step up is the 2021 540i that works by using a turbo inline-6 spinning out 335 hp that’s paired to a gentle-hybrid program that’s new this 12 months. The starter-generator is effective in the track record for better gas performance at reduced speeds, whilst formal EPA figures are not yet obtainable. 

The prime, for now, is the M550i xDrive that’s equipped with a four.four-liter twin-turbo V-eight that makes 523 hp. It’s the only five-Series with normal all-wheel generate and it wants it—the sedan springs to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

Like its predecessors, the 2021 five-Series rides on an independent suspension with double wishbones up entrance and a rear multilink. Some cars and trucks incorporate adaptive dampers (some make it normal, also) that can toggle amongst comfort and ease and sporty configurations. 

Convenience, safety and features

The new five-Series provides about an inch to its over-all duration, whilst interior space is unchanged. Which is a fantastic issue all five-Series had been cozy for grownups, up to 5. 

BMW made artificial leather-based normal on 530 and 540 products, which raises our eyebrow. We’d favor serious hides normal on cars and trucks that price upward of $60,000 to start—Audi contains it as normal on cars and trucks that price less, just after all. 

Actual leather-based is obtainable on all trims and normal on prime products, and we propose it. Numerous seating selections are obtainable which includes heated and cooled nappa buckets with massagers—good, better, most effective. 

The trunk holds 14 cubic feet of cargo, which is on the modest facet for its course. (Plug-in hybrids make do with only 10 cubic feet due to the batteries.)

In addition to normal computerized emergency braking, the five-Series is equipped with blind-spot screens with rear cross-targeted traffic alerts. Adaptive cruise control, a encompass-see digicam program, and lively lane control are on the selections list—as is BMW’s driver-guidance features that can pilot the car without driver interaction at speeds slower than forty mph. 

All five-Series are equipped with 18-inch wheels, artificial leather-based upholstery, a moonroof, twin 12.3-inch shows for instruments and infotainment, Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle compatibility, and Bluetooth. Alternatives include leather-based, even bigger wheels, adaptive dampers, and usefulness features. 

The 2021 BMW five-Series goes on sale in July 2020.