Features of the BMW 5-Series 2025

Overview

Though it still is a great choice among mid-size luxury sedans for its high-end cabin and current equipment, the 2025 BMW 5-series has lost some of the sports-sedan edge that past generations offered. Above the small 3-series and below the big and ultra-luxurious 7-series, it resides in the comfy middle of the BMW sedan portfolio. Both road-tripping and commuting benefit from plush seats front and rear, and the dashboard is crammed with digital displays to keep the driver informed and the passengers delighted. Standard is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine; all save the base model have all-wheel drive; you may upgrade to either a plug-in hybrid powertrain with 483 horsepower or a turbocharged inline-six engine. The good news is that BMW has incorporated some of the driving enthusiasm back into its executive car at least. The forthcoming M5 sports sedan (reviewed separately) will be left to provide the 5er family with a whole serving of horsepower, agility, and thrills—and we have no doubt that it will. For those who care to quietly wallow in calm comfort, the 5-series will satisfy just as well as its rivals, the Audi A6, Genesis G80, and Mercedes-Benz E-class.

What's New for 2025?

After a total overhaul for 2024, the 2025 5-series sees few revisions. However, BMW is introducing the range-topping 550e model to the roster this year, and it comes with a 483-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, an electric motor, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 5-series is offered in 530i, 540i, and 550e guises, with the 530i gaining a 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and either rear- or all-wheel drive. Along with a 375-hp turbocharged inline-six, the 540i includes all-wheel drive standard. Both are complemented by a 48-volt hybrid system. The plug-in hybrid 550e is powered by an inline-six and an electric motor that combine for 483 horsepower; all-wheel drive is standard. In our experience with a 530i, the ride is smooth but yet delivers a sensation of modest athleticism. The heavier 540i skews more towards luxury than sport. Cornering grip is reasonable, especially with the M Sport package's improved suspension. Speaking of the M Sport package, it also adds improved brakes, which resulted in the 530i's amazing 156-foot stop from 70 mph at our test track.

0–60-MPH Times

In instrumented testing, the all-wheel drive 530i xDrive hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds while the 540i xDrive went to 60 mph in a quick 4.0 seconds. The firm says the 550e hybrid can do it in 4.0 seconds, and we'll update this post with test findings when we get the chance to drive it.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The 550e xDrive plug-in hybrid is fitted with a 19.4-kWh battery pack that we anticipate will deliver roughly 40 miles of driving range per charge. When we get a chance to test it for ourselves we'll update this story with real-world results.

Read Also: Exploring the Design of the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA predicts that the four-cylinder 530i should give fuel economy of 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway; the 540i is rated for 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Estimates for the plug-in hybrid 550e have not been provided. On our 75-mph highway fuel efficiency route, the 530i xDrive scored 35 mpg while the 540i xDrive returned an even more outstanding 37 mpg. For more information about the 5-series' fuel efficiency, see the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside the 5-series' cockpit, there is enough of room for adult riders to feel comfortable in the front and back seats, and the interior looks adequately luxury. While genuine leather upholstery remains an option, BMW also offers a vegan-friendly option called Veganza. All models feature with an automatic climate control system with vents that are artfully integrated into the dashboard design to hide them from view. A tilt-and-slide sunroof is standard, but you can alternatively choose for a huge, fixed glass roof that stretches into the rear seat area. The optional Luxury Seating package adds heated and ventilated front seats with more power adjustments and a massage feature; the Premium package adds a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, and more; and the Executive package includes the panoramic glass roof as well as power rear sunshade, glass interior controls, and an interior camera.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All 5-series variants come with a huge curved digital panel that integrates a 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system is already in use in other BMW models such as the 7-series sedan and the iX electric SUV and has proven rather intuitive in our experience. A head-up display is optional, although all variants come equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Harman/Kardon sound system, and a video game system BMW calls AirConsole that can only be utilized when the car is parked.