One of the best sport sedans on the market, the 5 Series has been in BMW's U.S. lineup since the mid-1970s. There have been many iterations over the years. For 2024, the 5 Series enters its eighth generation with fresh styling, updated features, and, for the first time, a choice of all-electric or internal-combustion-engine (ICE) powertrain.
BMW invited me to Spartanburg, South Carolina (covering my travel, food, and lodging) to test the 2024 BMW 5 Series range, including the gas-powered 530i and the first fully electric version, the i5. This review focuses on the ICE variant; we've covered the electric BMW i5 in a separate review.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2024 BMW 5 Series is available in three gas-powered trims: 530i, 530i xDrive, and 540i xDrive. Prices range from around $59,000 to $66,000, with the top two variants equipped with xDrive—the automaker's moniker for its all-wheel-drive system. As this article is written, the BMW 530i and 530i xDrive are already arriving at BMW showrooms. Meanwhile, the 540i has just started production and should arrive in the next few months.
For this review, BMW provided me with a 2024 530i xDrive, painted in Cape York Green Metallic. Options on this vehicle included the M Sport package, Premium package, Sky Lounge Roof, and the Bowers and Wilkins Surround Sound audio system for a total MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) of $70,745.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2024 BMW 5 Series gets all-new styling for the new model year. However, the new look isn't so much of a departure that the sedan isn't recognizable as a 5 Series. BMW outfits this new-generation model with both gas and electric powertrains. Hence, the car sits slightly higher than the previous model, allowing room for the electric powertrain. So, designers made the new model longer and wider to maintain the appropriate sport sedan proportions.
The iconic BMW kidney grille is up front, albeit larger, and now available with illumination for a bolder look. Flanking the grille are slim LED headlights with stylish daytime running lights, which combine with the illuminated grille to provide a distinct look at night.
Taillights are also new, wrapping around the corners with a slim design that gives the car a wide stance. While the exhaust outlets aren't visible on the 530i, the rear diffuser simulates exhaust outlets, one of the few differentiators from its electric-powered sibling.
Inside, the new 5 Series features a clean, high-tech look that centers around the new curved screen making its way into every new BMW. The large screen—mounted to the dashboard—encompasses the 12.3-inch driver's display and 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. Adding to the look is the light bar that bisects the dash and surrounds the cabin. Colors are changeable manually along with the ambient lighting or will change based on a theme. For example, Sport mode changes the lighting throughout the cabin to red.
Most physical buttons and knobs are gone from the 5 Series cabin, with most functions accessed via the touchscreen, center controller, or voice interface. Cabin temperature settings appear in the lower portion of the screen. However, fan speed, seat heaters, and steering wheel heater access require a jump to a sub-menu—not optimal, but still easy to use. The front and rear defroster switches are separate and located in the light bar below the screen.
With a nod to sustainability, BMW trims the seats, doors, and dashboard in Veganza—the automaker's newest leather alternative material. Veganza is soft and attractive, and most shoppers may never realize it didn't come from a cow. Extended Merino leather is also available for buyers who can tell the difference and prefer the real thing. Adding to the premium look is a variety of high-end trim materials that range from open-pore wood with contrasting accents to Aluminum Rhombicle.
Sport seats are standard with the Veganza trim. They offer good support while remaining comfortable after long stints behind the wheel. There's reasonable storage space in the cabin with a sizable center console bin as well as cupholders and added storage with a wireless phone charger directly under the dash.
The rear seats in the new 5 Series offer plenty of legroom and headroom, easily fitting two adults. The middle position is usable, but with limited legroom and a stiff seat cushion, there are better seats in the house. Rear outboard seat positions feature heat, and multiple USB ports in the center console keep devices charged.
The BMW's trunk can handle a few pieces of luggage or a large batch of groceries, but it can't match the cargo space of an SUV. There are 18.4 cubic feet of space in the 530i, which can expand by folding the 40/20/40 split rear seats.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2024 BMW 5 Series comes with the latest version of the brand's iDrive operating system, which includes an all-new display and infotainment design. Navigating the updated system is easy with information tiles on the left that swipe up or down. The background can be the navigation map or a vehicle status page, and the tiles appear to overlay the background.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the 2024 5 Series, with a wireless connection for added convenience. I quickly connected my Samsung Galaxy S23+ via Bluetooth, and Android Auto was running in just a few seconds. Without having to connect my phone via USB, Android Auto started up automatically every time I started the car.
While the touchscreen and controller on the center console are easy-to-use interface devices, BMW does have one of the best natural-voice systems as an alternative method of accessing the infotainment and vehicle functions. Called the BMW Personal Assistant, you activate the voice-control system by pressing a steering wheel button or saying, "Hey, BMW."
The Personal Assistant can complete many different tasks, and I found it more useful as I spent more time in the car. I told the assistant I was too cold, and it responded by raising the temperature by five degrees and asking me to let it know if I got too hot. Other tasks included changing the audio source, making a phone call, and even lowering the right rear window "a little bit."
One of the standout features of the new 5 Series is the virtual navigation that projects a forward camera view onto the driver display with overlaid arrows indicating the route directions. With the arrow floating over the road, making a wrong turn is almost impossible.
BMW also offers the new 5 Series with a range of advanced driver assistance systems. However, the most common, like adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, are extra-cost options. The company also offers the 5 Series with Highway Drive Assist, allowing hands-free driving under certain conditions.
My test vehicle came with Active Driving Assistant, which includes adaptive cruise control with full stop-and-go functionality and steering assistance, which helps keep the car centered in the lane. While this is not a hands-free system, it worked well in stop-and-go traffic, bringing the car to a halt when the car ahead stopped and then setting off again automatically when traffic started moving.
While my 530i did not have the Highway Drive Assist system, I had the opportunity to experience this hands-free setup in a different 5 Series. In that car, it worked smoothly and confidently. To use this system, a destination set in the car's native navigation system is required, and the route must be on a designated multi-lane divided highway. Once on the freeway, I activated the cruise control. When the lights turned green on the steering wheel, I knew it was safe to let go.
When approaching a slower vehicle, I could hit the turn signal, and the car would check to be sure it was safe, then change lanes on its own to go around the slower car. For the new 2024 model, the system asked if I'd like to go around the slower car. All I had to do was glance in the side mirror to confirm the lane change, and the car signaled and moved around the slower vehicle and returned to the original speed.
Photo: Perry Stern
The BMW 5 Series has long been known as a luxury sport sedan, combining excellent driving characteristics with a solid, comfortable ride. I'm pleased to report that this newest 5 Series continues the tradition.
My 530i xDrive test vehicle has the lowest-powered engine offered in the 5 Series. The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine delivers 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque—a slight bump in power versus the outgoing version. With the traction of xDrive, BMW says the 530i will sprint to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. It's not the quickest car on the block, but it's reasonably responsive. While not all that powerful, the EPA rates the 530i xDrive at 30 mpg combined. For comparison, the 540i xDrive gets 28 mpg combined.
I had the opportunity to drive the new 530i xDrive on the back roads around Greenville, South Carolina, and came away suitably impressed. Steering is responsive with good feedback, and with excellent grip and firm suspension, the big sedan provides a confident ride. Brakes are solid and predictable for smooth slowing, and the car remains flat even when pushed hard in turns.
As good as the 5 Series is on twisty back roads, it is equally competent as a luxury cruiser. Moving along at highway speeds, the ride remains quiet and comfortable. Even when hitting the occasional rough patch in the road, the BMW stays composed and easy to control. With Highway Drive Assist activated and tunes playing on the high-end Bowers and Wilkins Surround Sound audio system, the 5 Series makes an excellent road trip vehicle.
The BMW 5 Series is often considered the benchmark for sport sedans, and this newest version should easily maintain this honor. With stylish exterior design updates, high-tech features, and excellent performance, the 5 Series still sets the bar.
While the 530i delivers good power, more powerful variants are available now (and coming soon) that bring all the benefits offered by this newest 5 Series. This includes the more powerful 540i, the fully electric i5, and the new, powerful plug-in hybrid variants expected next year. The 5 Series should have no problem maintaining its status as the sport sedan against which all others are measured.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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