BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid Sedan

The 2022 BMW 5 Series is offered in a single trim and two drivetrain models. The RWD variant is the normal 530e while the AWD model is named the 530e xDrive. Both models come with the same powertrain consisting of a 2.0 L Inline-4 and an integrated 70kW electric motor mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. There is also an M Sport package available for $2,000 and adds a Shadowline exterior trim along with 19-inch M Y-spoke wheels and an M steering wheel making the 530e look sporty and more aggressive. Available packages include the Convenience Package that adds heated front seats and a power tailgate, Premium Package worth $2,200, and adds gesture control and a HUD along with heated seats. The following table shows the detailed list of features and pricing of the 2022 BMW 5 Series- 

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The 2022 BMW 530e is a single standalone trim offers in two separate drivetrain options. One could either opt for the RWD option or the xDrive AWD version according to your preference. The standard spec list is pretty good and you could also opt for more optional and luxury features according to your need and preference. The M Sport Package is also an available option for making the PHEV look more sporty and luxurious. 

2022 BMW 5 Series PHEV Release Date

There is no available information regarding the release of the 2022 model of the BMW 5 Series PHEV. But we expect to arrive by the end of 2021 or in early 2022. 

The powertrain under the hood of the 530e models is a 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine along with a 70kW integrated electric motor. The engine produces 181 hp of power while the eDrive electric motor puts out 107 horsepower resulting in a combined output of 288 hp @ 3800-6500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque @ 1450-3600 rpm. This powertrain is hooked up with a twin-scroll turbocharger with variable valve control (Double-VANOS and Valvetronic) and Driving Dynamics Control offering four distinct modes of driving which are Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport. The only transmission option available is an 8-speed Sport automatic transmission with manual shift modes, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and launch control. 

The 530e, even though it is a PHEV, is still a BMW and the performance is engaging and the powertrain is punchy and responsive. There is enough power at disposal to have fun driving around but the actual bummer is the electric power steering which provides no connection between the driver and the car whatsoever. The 2022 BMW 530e takes 5.2 seconds to reach a speed of 60mph and crosses the quarter-mile mark in 13.8 seconds which are energetic figures considering its powertrain. The car features twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers and the suspension setup provides great ride quality and a comfortable ride. Overall on the performance front, the 2022 BMW 530e offers a good package that is responsive and energetic considering the fact that it is a PHEV. 

The only PHEVs in this comparison is the BMW 530e and the Volvo S90 Recharge among which the S90 Recharge is a much more powerful and overall larger machine offered at an impressive price. The Volvo is the most powerful one here while it is in second place in terms of speed behind the hybrid Mercedes E450 4matic which is the fastest one. The Audi A6 Premium is also a mild hybrid and it also performs better than the BMW in terms of speed. However, the BMW handles impressively and is engaging to drive if compared only with the Volvo while the Merc is a much more fun-to-drive machine. 

The 2022 BMW 530e comes with an eDrive button with Auto eDrive, MAX eDrive, and Battery Control modes, and Brake Energy Regeneration. In purely electric mode the vehicle achieves arange of up to 28 miles witha top electric speed of 86mph. However, the gas efficiency of the BMW 530e is around 25 miles and has a combined gas+electric efficiency of around 64 mpg. The 530e is equipped with a 12 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack and comes with a charging cable that supports AC charging (3.7 kW). 

The 2021 Volvo S90 Recharge is the most efficient machine here offering the best of combined efficiency. However, BMW offers a slightly higher combined gas+electric range of 64empg compared to the 60 mpge provided by the Volvo. The Mercedes being the fastest one here still delivers an impressive 26mpg of combined efficiency which is a good figure for a normal mild hybrid. It also offers the largest fuel capacity and range. The BMW and Volvo as they are PHEVs, can’t be beaten in terms of fuel economy by any others.

The 530e has a premium interior made up of high-quality materials and there is a lot of luxury features present as standard and available as options. The interior features a Fineline Ridge Wood trim as standard with some other more premium options available including Fineline Cove Matte Finish, Grey Poplar Wood, etc. The seats are covered in Black Perforated SensaTec leather upholstery as standard while Ivory White/Cognac are all available color choices in more premium Dakota or Nappa Leather with contrast stitching for prices ranging from around $1,500 to $2,500. 

The seats are comfortable, supportive and are a great place to be seated for long drives. The seats could opt with heating ventilation as well as a massage function for the front seats. A SensaTec covered dashboard is also an available option. There is enough amount of space on the inside while the cargo capacity is not as plentiful as what most rivals offer. The front row is extremely spacious and the adjustability of the steering wheel, as well as the seats, are more than enough that any person of any height and size could be seated comfortably. Overall the 530e comes with an upscale interior that is luxurious and spacious. 

The 2021 Volvo S90 Recharge offers the most spacious interior, simply because it resides in a segment higher than the other competition while being priced similarly. The Volvo beats all others in terms of interior space and comfort and also has a cabin made up of superb quality materials. The only downside is that the S90 recharge has an outdated-looking infotainment screen in the center console which is also not the best to use. 

The Mercedes however has the nicest and most luxurious-looking interior which is crafted with artistic perfection. The new, updated infotainment system inside the Merc is also one of the best in the game. The BMW and Audi feature simple yet modern-looking interiors which also feature high-quality materials. The following are some of the most important interior features of the 2022 BMW 530e-

• Multi-zone Climate Control including micro-filter and automatic air recirculation
• 2-way power glass moonroof with "one-touch" operation and sliding interior sunshade
• Perforated SensaTec leather upholstery
• Fineline Ridge Wood Trim
• Sport seats
• Anthracite Headliner

How intuitive is the 2022 BMW 5 Series PHEV’s infotainment unit?

The 2022 BMW 530e comes with a Live Cockpit Professional infotainment unit that features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3" touchscreen central information display. The multi-input iDrive 7.0 system is operated by voice, touchscreen, and a proprietary iDrive touchpad controller. The infotainment unit features navigation, Bluetooth, two USB ports, 8 freely programmable bookmarks, and also gets Over-the-Air (OTA) updates for map data. The audio system is a 12-speaker HiFi sound system as standard which is further upgradable to a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system consisting of tweeters, midrange speakers, and 2 bass speakers located under the front seats outputting 464-watts. The following are the prominent infotainment features of the 2022 BMW 530e-

• 12.3" digital instrument cluster
• 12.3" touchscreen central information display
• Enhanced USB and Bluetooth Plus Smartphone Integration
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility
• HiFi Sound System with a 205-watt digital amplifier and 12 speakers
• HD Radio with "multicast" FM station reception
• SiriusXM with 360L + 1-year All Access Subscription

The 2022 BMW 530e is offered in nine color choices and an M Sport Package which adds a Shadowline exterior trim. The 5 Series PHEV looks bold and aggressive with the new upgraded front end that had been revised last model year. The headlamps with the LED stripes look sleek and stylish while the chrome-plated kidney grille of the ‘right size and proportion’ look impressive, unlike some other BMW models. The rear end also looks beautiful and BMW has just perfected their design game with the 530e. 

The wheels are 19-inch alloy wheels as standard while there are various other choices including larger 20-inch ones to choose from. The 530e has a ground clearance of 5.7 inches and it could glide over speed breakers comfortably. On the rear end, 3D taillights, available M Sport rear bumper with diffuser and freeform exhaust tips form a sporty and commanding design. Overall, the 2022 BMW 530e is a smooth and sleek-looking car with plenty of sportiness all around and a bold and aggressive-looking front end. 

The BMW is the sportiest looking one here, while the Mercedes-Benz looks the most elegant and luxurious. The Volvo and Audi however, look more executive and classy. All of these machines have a distinctively beautiful-looking exterior while the BMW stands out being the bolder and more aggressive one. The Volvo is the largest and heaviest one comparing all dimensions and also has a longer wheelbase which does result in better interior space. The Volvo also offers the most ground clearance while the Mercedes has the least clearance. The following are some standout exterior features of the 2022 BMW 530e-

• 19" V-spoke burnished orbit grey wheels, style 635 with all-season run-flat tires
• Power-folding, heated side mirrors
• Chrome-line exterior trim
• Trapezoidal exhaust tips
• Programmable LED Daytime Running Lights
• Automatic High Beams
• Icon Adaptive Full LED Headlights

The 2022 BMW 530e features 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS, composite front rotors, and Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) along with brake-pad wear indicators, and Cornering Brake Control (CBC). And being a PHEV, the 530e also gets a strong regenerative braking setup. The 2022 530e has not been safety tested yet but the 2021 5 Series got impressive all ‘Good’ ratings from IIHS which means that the 530e is a super safe vehicle. The 530e features Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC). Dynamic Cruise Control and an expanded check control vehicle monitor system to keep the vehicle on its intended path and the occupants safe inside in all conditions along with the following features- 

• Tire Pressure Monitor
• Active Driving Assistant
• Frontal Collision Warning
• Active Blind Spot Detection
• Lane Departure Warning
• Speed Limit Info
• BMW Assist eCall
• Active Protection System

2022 BMW 530e xDrive PHEV vs 2021 Volvo S90 Recharge 

The Volvo S90 Recharge is an amazing vehicle offered at an impressive price. It is much more powerful and faster than the BMW while offering better fuel economy as well as range. The interior of the S90 is more spacious and is luxurious and made up of high-quality materials. The BMW handles better and offers a better, updated, more intuitive infotainment unit. However, the Volvo is still the better deal for the price it is offered at. 

2022 BMW 530e xDrive PHEV vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic 

The Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic doesn’t offer the added functionality of the 530e but still offers great fuel economy. The interior is crafted out of premium quality materials and the overall look of the cabin is super-luxurious. The Merc is also more powerful and is the fastest one among the ones we are comparing here. Overall, the Mercedes is the better choice and you could go for the BMW only if you are so sure that you want a PHEV.

2022 BMW 530e xDrive PHEV vs 2022 Audi A6 

The Audi A6 offers more space on the side along with a larger cargo area. The engine under the hood is also powerful and the performance is slightly better than the 530e. The 530e however offers better fuel efficiency along with the added functionality of the PHEV powertrain. On the inside, both models feature a similarly simple and premium-looking interior and offer a lot of optional luxury features. A choice between these machines should be based on individual preference. 

The 2022 BMW 5 Series offers a capable powertrain along with impressive fuel economy and a good all-electric range. The handling of the 530e is impressive whereas the electric steering is not connecting the driver to the car effectively or responding properly which limits the amount of fun you could have with this machine. 

On the inside, it offers a luxurious interior coupled with ergonomic control layouts and comfortable seating. All of these positive attributes along with a beautiful and sporty-looking exterior makes the 530e a great choice. But, the 2021 Volvo S90 Recharge offers so much more for a very slightly higher price which is the actual PHEV to opt for in this price range.