2021 BMW 5 Series

The new BMW 5 Series has a starting MSRP of $54,200 for the 530i and the 540i will cost you $59,450. Other than these two trims, the 5 Series also comes in a plug-in hybrid while the enthusiasts can opt for the sportier M550i available, which is reviewed separately. Falling in the luxury mid-size segment, the 5-Series faces stiff competition from fellow Germans - the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Audi A6 - and the Volvo S90.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series is available in 2 trim levels. The base 530i is offered at a competitive price similar to the rivals. Moving on to the 540i, it is powered by an inline 6 cylinder engine to lure enthusiasts. To set the tracks ablaze, you can opt for the V-8 powered M550i trim. There's also a 530e plugin hybrid trim for ones who want both performance and economy. 

To add to this list of amenities, BMW also offers three options namely, Convenience, Premium, and Executive. These packages add on many other features like remote engine start, heated front seats, power tailgate, an upgraded 16-speaker Harman Kardon system, wireless charging, and power sunshades. 

Which trim should you buy?

The 540i trim is the best option to buy. It costs a few thousand bucks more than the base trim but adds much greater value. You get a more powerful inline-6 engine, Dakota leather upholstery, and M sport features as well such as a sports steering wheel and an adaptive sport suspension. This trim also offers 3 optional packages that give a range of flexibility to the buyer to configure their pick from. 

The base 530i trim of the BMW 5 Series gets a turbocharged 2.0L Inline-4 that churns out 248hp and 258 lb-ft and is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission that sends all the output to the rear wheels only as standard. With the 540i, the powertrain is upgraded to a turbocharged 3.0L Inline-6 that bumps up the output to 335hp and 332lb-ft of torque. The bigger engine is no less than the base engine in terms of fuel management and manages to return impressive MPGs despite the power bump. 

The 5-Series’ base engine is good enough however, the Volvo S90 churns out 316hp for it comes equipped with both a turbocharger and supercharger. The A6 matches the 5-Series in terms of power output but the latter proves to be quicker than all the other Germans to 60 MPH, only to be lagging behind in the quarter-mile. 

How does the 2021 BMW 5 Series handle?

The 2021 BMW 5-Series hides its weight very well and feels super agile by luxury car standards. The driver sits quite low in a sporty position but the view is hindered by a big blindspot caused by the A-pillar. The 8-speed automatic gearbox slushes the gears very smoothly and feels very relaxing in the city. The turning circle is not that short and does require some work while making U-turns. The suspension is very comfortable and does an impeccable job of soaking up the bumps and undulations. 

On the highways, the comfort level is maintained and the radar cruise control on-board does a good job of taking over control of the car. The seats are super comfortable and relax the occupants well while out on long drives. Kicking down the gearbox is effortless and the power delivery is instant - good for overtaking. The gearbox works even better with the bigger engine and renders even better performance in terms of shifting speeds and accuracy. 

2021 BMW 5 Series Braking Performance

The 2021 BMW 5 Series gets 12.7-inch brake rotors at the front and 12.5-inch brake rotors at the rear that ensure that the massive sedan stops in just 108 feet from 60 to 0mph. The stability control assists with features such as brake-stand by and start-off assistance. Moreover, the dynamic brake control and cornering brake control provide brake assistance when there's any abnormal spinning of the wheel.

The BMW 5 Series manages to stop the fastest from a speed of 60 MPH. Rivals like the Audi A6 and the Volvo S90 have bigger brakes but they haul too much weight. The E Class is closest to the BMW 5 Series in terms of weight and brake size, yet stops later.

The base engine - the turbocharged Inline-4 - of the 2021 BMW 5 Series is quite a player when it comes to fuel economy and it delivers 28 MPG combined. The bigger Inline-6 motor is a mild hybrid setup and hence can match the mileage with the base engine. The 6-cylinder motor of the 540i fetches you 25 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on the highway, and a combined 27 MPG. Fuel management is phenomenal as it doesn't compromise either with performance or economy. The lower end peak torque and the transmission play an important role in low fuel consumption.

No doubt, the 5 Series has the best in class fuel economy with the Audi A6 trailing not too behind but with its bigger fuel tank, it comes very close to offering a 600-mile highway driving range. The Merc and the Volvo are very similarly matched but the smaller fuel tank in the Volvo does take a toll on the range it gets.

The ambiance inside a BMW looks charismatic with the use of premium leather and wood accents. With smart ergonomics, the cabin is both spacious and calming. The seating position provides you a better view of the road ahead and the dashboard is covered with leather. Also, now you get better connectivity and placement of functions. The intuitive infotainment and the Live cockpit professional make the ride indulging. With the firm leather-wrapped steering, you get paddle shifters as well. Moreover, you have a next-level center console with a stylish gear knob and a mode selector rotary control.

The seats at the front are quite comfy. They offer up to 12-way power adjustments, 4-way lumbar support and side bolster support. The rear seat is a 40-20-40 split bench that comes with a foldable seatback. The optional comfort features include heated seats, articulating backrests, massaging lumbar, ventilated seats, Nappa, and Dakota leather upholstery. 

The front row on the 5 Series feels comfortable and it does offer sufficient space, unlike the rear row that feels a bit cramped for 3 people. The Volvo S90 takes advantage of its longer wheelbase and provides proper legroom at the rear. In terms of cargo capacity, the 5 Series’ space isn't much bigger than the rivals but the shape of the boot makes life easy in terms of loading and unloading. Some of the standout Interior features of the Bimmer’s cabin are:

• Nappa leather upholstery
• Live cockpit professional
• Comfortable front sport seats
• Tri-zone automatic air-conditioning
• Active steering assist cruise control
• Voice and gesture control

What's there to keep you entertained?

With the 2021 updates, you will get a bigger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen display. Now powered by the latest iDrive 7.0 system, the infotainment has a user-friendly interface and is operable through touch, voice command, and or the touchpad controller. The information display has standard features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. There's an AM/FM radio as well as a SiriusXM 360L subscription for 1 year, along with a 4G WiFi hotspot for 3 months.

The infotainment is mated to a HiFi sound system that comes with 12 speakers and a 205W digital amplifier. Moreover, one can avail of the Harman Kardon surround system with 16 speakers setup and a 464W amplifier (standard on the BMW M550i). The Live cockpit professional is an all-digital driver's display that shows real-time vehicle information. Highlights of the infotainment include:

• 12.3-inch iDrive 7.0 infotainment display
• Voice command and touchpad controller
• Apple Carplay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• SiriusXM 360L subscription
• HiFi sound system
• Harman Kardon surround sound system (optional)

BMW has updated the 2021 BMW 5 Series to give it a bold stance. The sharper design lines with a sporty yet classy appearance along with the untouched kidney grille look awesome as it is. The all-new LED daytime running headlamps are much better than before. The updated front and rear fascia can be distinguished with the new lights and bumpers. However, BMW has made necessary changes to the beltline and windows to give it a fresh look. 

At the back, you get two roaring exhausts designed with chrome. The shark fin antenna and the lip spoiler adds to the design. The exterior gets better with the M sports accessories. The wheel size varies between 18 to 20 inches. You can avail yourself of the metallic paint as well as the shadow line package to make it mesmerizing.

Even after being one of the longest sedans, the 530i has the lowest weight yet it isn't as wide as the S90 and the A6. The ground clearance is good enough and can be raised by 0.2 inches with the adaptive suspension. The wide wheelbase balances out the weight evenly on all four wheels for better handling and stability. Some of the standout exterior features include:

• Black kidney grille
• LED daytime running headlamps
• Dual dark chrome tip exhausts
• Dual spoke aluminum wheels (18,19 and 20 inches)
• Metallic paint options
• Shadow line package

The seventh-generation BMW 5 Series shells out the excess weight. In return, it now has a more stiffer and rigid construction with lightweight materials such as high-strength steel, aluminum, and magnesium. To keep the drive safe, the 5 Series is loaded with advanced safety and driver assistance features like:

• Automatic emergency braking 
• Forward collision warning 
• Pedestrian detection 
• Lane departure warning 
• Steering assist
• Blind-spot monitoring system

You get optional safety with the Driver assistance package such as lane keep assist with side collision avoidance, steering assists adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic jam assist. The parking assistance package adds a 3D surround-view camera and active park distance control. 

2021 BMW 5 Series vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E Class

When it comes to deciding between a Bimmer and a Merc, the competition is stiff and the case remains the same here. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers a roomier cabin and a more posh interior in terms of craftsmanship and the materials used but when it comes to driving dynamics, the Bimmer takes the case hands down with its agility and superb gearbox on offer.

2021 BMW 5 Series vs 2021 Audi A6

The Audi A6 is stepping up with its performance and capabilities. The cabin experience is on another level as Audi is picking on both BMW and Mercedes but the main differentiating factor is the price - where Audi takes the lead. The Audi also offers AWD as standard and the acceleration is decently quick but again, the Audi isn’t as dynamic as the Bimmer. In terms of interior, the luxury is very similar and it is very hard to tell which is better but Audi’s cabin is roomier.

2021 BMW 5 Series vs 2021 Volvo S90

The Volvo S90 is offering a greater value at an affordable price. It is the largest sedan in the segment. However, it doesn't offer an engaging driving experience like the BMW 5 Series. Moreover, the S90 is limited in features where the 5 Series offers countless of them while one-upping the Volvo in craftsmanship and in-cabin technology. 

The new BMW 5 Series is one of the most dynamic experiences that a luxury brand can offer. With all the right boxes checked, the 5-Series takes on the rivals with a simple yet well-equipped trim line-up that is easy to understand and in no way underpowered vis a vis the competition. The performance is excellent in the base engine, while the upgraded 6-cylinder can satisfy most enthusiasts. The interior is well-crafted and full of the latest luxury amenities that the segment provides. The looks are killer and the safety is on-point by way of advanced engineering and the tech-suite on board; all of these making the 5-Series a very lucrative buy in the price range.