2024 BMW 530i RWD

Big changes for the 2024 5 Series The 5 Series' update could not have come at a better time as the new model takes advantage of all the strides BMW has made to its products over the past few years. The new 5 Series improves on its predecessor in every way. The new exterior styling is bold, but it skips out on the comically large and divisive grilles we've seen on other recent BMW models. The interior draws significantly from the larger (and also recently redesigned) BMW 7 Series, with a sleek, premium look and feel that put it among the best you'll find in a midsize luxury sedan today. It makes the 5 Series feel closer to a scaled-down 7 Series than an enlarged 3 Series, a good thing in our eyes. We also like many of the latest technology and driver aids features BMW has used for the new car.

Our test car was a rear-wheel-drive 530i optioned with the M Sport package. Power from the turbocharged four-cylinder (2.0L TwinPower Turbo Inline-4 with 48V Mild Hybrid System)is more than adequate. At our test track, our 530i accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The engine's ample torque is well matched to the gearing of the transmission and makes the 530i feel plenty quick around town. The six-cylinder 540i is noticeably quicker, but we think most shoppers will be satisfied with the less expensive 530i.

Our test car also had impressive braking and handling. Much of the credit goes to the upgraded suspension and brakes from the M Sport package, but any 5 Series should feel confident during emergency maneuvers or enthusiastic driving simply because the underlying chassis is so well engineered.

Fuel economy estimates for the BMW 5 Series are quite good for such a large vehicle. The EPA estimates a rear-wheel-drive 530i, which is what we tested, gets 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We did even better in our real-world evaluation route with 34.1 mpg. If you prefer the more powerful 540i with all-wheel drive, it gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg, making the 5 Series one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the class.

Most of the car's controls are found on the touchscreen. We wouldn't mind having more physical buttons, but the touchscreen is quick and responsive and has a customizable interface. The touchscreen also allows for a very clear and comprehensive surround-view camera system.

The interior is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of room in both rows for adults. As you'd expect in a midsize sedan, most passengers will have no issue with legroom and headroom in the back seat of a 5 Series. The doors open wide, making getting in and out a breeze. The driving position is equally nice, with all of the controls within easy reach. The seat isn't overly low, and it's easy to find a comfortable height and angle.

The large infotainment screen works great for navigation. Inputting directions is easy using the screen or voice commands, and the navigation links with the instrument cluster and head-up display to show turn-by-turn directions. Voice commands can also be used to change the climate control, adjust the radio, or even roll up the rear sunshades. Voice prompts work well, though the system isn't quite as robust as Mercedes' MBUX or some Google-based systems.

If you prefer to use your own device, the i5 comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; both include wireless connectivity. There's also a wireless charging pad as well as plenty of USB-C ports spread throughout both rows of seats. The i5 would score even higher here if some of our editors didn't have recurring issues when trying to get CarPlay to launch in our test car.

As you might expect with a modern luxury vehicle, the 5 Series is available with many advanced driver aids, including hands-free highway driving. They worked well in our testing and didn't have any annoying false alarms. Just know that BMW is a bit stingy and doesn't include all of them as standard equipment.