2024 BMW 5 Series

Quite often, we’ve considered the 5 Series to be the perfect luxury car. Just the right size for comfort, but still sufficiently agile. Technology has enhanced both safety and convenience, yet not to the point where it’s gratuitously gimmicky. The engines have been superb. And the level of prestige is ideal for those who want to go big, but not too big.

With this all-new generation (the eighth), it seems BMW has done it again. The new 5 Series leap-frogs midsize luxury contenders like the Audi A6 and Genesis G80, while being able to face up to the also-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It’s an exciting time in the midsize luxury sedan world, with the made-in-Germany 2024 5 Series providing much of that buzz.

The all-electric, all-new BMW i5 midsize luxury sedan is reviewed separately. It slots between the BMW i4 and BMW i7.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this collection of midsize luxury sedans, including the BMW 5-Series.

This is an all-new generation of 5 Series launching for the 2024 model year with fresh designs, tech, engines, the whole kit and caboodle. A plug-in hybrid version is anticipated at some point in 2024, most likely as a 2025 car.

Rivals include the Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Genesis G80, all of which offer electric counterparts — although the Audi is the last to arrive. As for combustion versions, the refreshed-for-2024 A6 starts in the high 50s. The E-Class (also all-new for 2024) should begin at around $60K, and the Genesis G80 kicks off in the mid 50s.  The electric Mercedes-EQ EQE Sedan (starting at $74,900) will be a direct rival to the BMW i5 (which starts at $66,800).

Before buying a new 5 Series midsize luxury sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values of the 5 Series are usually respectable even if they’re not at the top of the table.

The new 530i employs a 255-horsepower turbocharged engine, energetic enough to accomplish the sprint from standstill to 60 mph in a lively 5.9 seconds. If all-wheel drive is in the picture, shave off another tenth. The Genesis G80 is in that same ballpark, with the Audi A6 a fraction slower.

BMW says the 540i xDrive can apply its 375 horsepower to hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. That’s only a tenth behind the most powerful BMW Z4 sports car. This happens courtesy of a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine. Most of the time, maximum torque is 384 lb-ft, but a mild hybrid system on board pushes that to 398 lb-ft for short bursts. It also smooths out the emissions-saving engine stop/restart function.

We’ve always admired and enjoyed the way BMW’s cars manage to combine an engaging driving experience with refinement and suppleness. The new 5 Series is enhanced even further by a system with ultra-fast reaction times. It applies subtle braking to individual wheels for greater effectiveness through quick corners.

Fuel Economy

The entry-level 530i delivers an estimated 30 mpg in mixed city-and-highway driving (27 city/35 highway). Opting for all-wheel drive has not effect on mileage; however, stepping up to the 540i xDrive drops the mixed number to 28 mpg. You can find more about the 5 Series fuel ratings at the EPA website.

Taking over from a 5 Series generation that was merely OK in terms of accommodation and technology, this new model brings a few innovations, like the almost-invisible air vents set into the dash and the large one-piece/dual-display feature, while BMW is also promising “generous” space.

Although the standard seats have been designed for optimum comfort and adjustability, the new 5 Series also offers its multi-contour front seats, which we’ve found to be among the best in any car. And a new simulated (and perforated) leather called Veganza comes into the cabin, covering seats, door panels and the steering wheel.

Real leather is available as an option, however. And an optional M Sport package brings a mix of Veganza and Alcantara (a suede-like material). The Panoramic Sky Lounge is another option. It’s a fixed glass panel pretty much the size of the entire roof.

Trunk space of 18.4 cubic feet is a big improvement over the outgoing model, while eclipsing the Audi A6 and Genesis G80. The trunk of the new E-Class measures 19 cubic feet.

Longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, the new 5 Series also stretches its wheelbase (the distance between the axles) by almost an inch, which should improve rear legroom. The entire exterior styling plays it kind of safe, nothing too radical. We think that’s a smart move by BMW. The optional M Sport package adds larger front air intakes and 19-inch light-alloy wheels. An illuminated grille is also available.

Curved Display
It’s the jewel of the new 5 Series’ dashboard, incorporating a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen into one cool, curved unit. This is standard equipment.

iDrive 8.5
The latest version of BMW’s infotainment system enhances the 2024 5 Series with voice activation, over-the-air-updates, phone integration, and Wi-Fi. Fewer touchscreen taps are required to access the most commonly used functions. Augmented reality for the navigation system is also available.

Automatic Park Assistant
Every new 5 Series has this as standard. It’s a self-parking system for both parallel and perpendicular spaces. The optional Parking Assistant Plus package adds more features such as a 360-degree camera system and remote real-time viewing using an iPhone app.

AirConsole
For the first time, the 5 Series offers a gaming platform — AirConsole. It starts out with around 20 titles, which will be added to in the future. Players can use their phones as controllers. While the car is parked, obviously.

Interaction Bar
An option in these combustion-powered versions of the new 5 Series, this item is integrated into the dashboard and provides the front passenger with touch controls for various functions. It’s also part of the ambient lighting setup.

Highway Assistant
This is part of the optional Driving Assistance Professional package, bringing hands-free and feet-free driving in certain conditions. An exciting new feature is Active Lane Change with eye activation. The system may suggest changing lanes, which the driver can set into motion just by looking at the corresponding side mirror. No need to click the turn signal. No other manufacturer offers this (at the moment).

Sure, there were 530i and 540i versions of the outgoing generation, but the engines in these new cars have been updated for greater efficiency and more power.

The 530i’s engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit making 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That’s up from 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is the basic setup, all-wheel drive (which BMW calls xDrive) is optional. The Genesis G80 starts out with a little more muscle, but this is more than adequate.

The 540i xDrive has all-wheel drive as standard, as its name implies. It employs a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine developing 375 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. A mild hybrid system provides a temporary boost to 398 lb-ft of torque. Last year’s model made 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

BMW covers its new vehicles and their powertrains for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among European luxury car makers. There’s also roadside assistance for the first four years, with unlimited mileage.

Safety Ratings

The newest generation of 5 Series is a Top Safety Pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard advanced safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, and Active Blind Spot Detection with rear cross-traffic alert.