Photography by David S. Wallens
BMW says its 5 Series is all-new for the 2024 model year, with an all-electric version–the i5–joining the lineup for the first time.
[BMW i5 M60: The ideal mix of sportiness and comfort?]
This week, we have a gas-powered 5 Series to drive and review, an “entry-level” 530i.
Yes, the exterior has been updated to match BMW’s current love-it-or-hate-it styling language, which places the 5 Series “right at the center of the brand's portfolio of four-door models–more present and elegant than the 3 Series, more dynamic and sporty than the 7 Series,” says BMW.
A turbocharged B48 four-cylinder engine sits under the hood, rated at 255 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (those looking for an inline-six will need to upgrade to the 540i), with an 8-speed automatic as the sole transmission choice.
Pick rear-wheel-drive like our tester, and the 530i is capable of a zero-to-60 mph of 5.9 seconds. Choose xDrive all-wheel-drive, however, and that time dips to 5.8 seconds.
Fuel economy for the rear-wheel-drive 530i is rated at 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, for a combined rating of 30 mpg.
While MSRP for the 530i starts at $57,900, our loaner carries a sticker price of $68,445 thanks to the addition of the M Sport and Premium Packages as well as a few options like Carbon Black Metallic paint and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
Questions? Comments? Feel free to drop them below.
Guess we’ll start with the exterior. Definitely follows BMW’s latest design language as there’s a lot of M2 in there–look at those harsh angles in the front bumper cover, for exanple–although, personally, I think the taillights are too thin. I like chonky lights at the rear of my modern BMWs. 
Do we like the grille?
Or does it look a bit too much like those iconic BMW kidneys have been grafted onto something else? Is there some Alfa in here? Maserati? Toyota?
But, the big thing: Driving it.
We put some miles on this one, mostly highways and back roads. Did you see that we took it down a dirt road, too? The GPS said it was a shortcut.
The 530i felt very comfortable with high marks for seat support and steering wheel meatiness. No fatigue after a few hours behind the wheel which is something you’d likely want in a 5 Series.
Very quiet interior with just a touch of wind noise. Again, a comfortable place for gobbling up those miles.
Steering felt overboosted at lower speeds but feels rather natural once cruising. Could be something you just get used to, too. It bugged me at first but now it doesn’t. YMMV.
Now, something that doesn’t add up–or, maybe a few things.
BMW lists engine output as 255 horsepower along with 295 lb.-ft. of torque. It seems to pull harder than those numbers would indicate. No complaints, obviously, but an observation. A happy one, in fact.
Some credit has to go to that smooth-shifting, eight-speed automatic. For around-town use, I’m flicking the lever back for sport shifting–a little crisper with some lower gear selection. No desire to manually shift it as it seems to know exactly what I want.
On the highway, I’ll leave it non-sport mode for the mpg.
The other math that doesn’t quite add up:
BMW says the car should get 30 mpg combined–so 27 city, 35 highway.
Without really trying, I’m seeing 34 mpg combined. That was some interstate (with the cruise set) but mostly back roads (so no cruise set).
More to come.
We just got a new M2 and I'm loving the look of it. This one, from some angles it looks good, others I'm not sure yet.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
It looks like a new Crown with ugly wheels and an even-uglier front fascia.
None of that is complimentary.
I like the look overall. The grills are to big. They need to go back to something closer to the E60 grill size. It would not be a deal breaker. Otherwise I like the rest of the car.
I’m driving this to Mecum’s Kissimmee sale tomorrow.
Any guesses as to what it will fetch?
I AM KIDDING, BMW!
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