530e iPerformance 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)
530e iPerformance 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)
530e iPerformance 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)
530e iPerformance 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)
530e iPerformance 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)
The 2021 BMW 5 Series is available for sale at a base MSRP of $54,200 for the 530i trim and goes all the way to $61,750 for the top-of-the-line 540i trim with xDrive AWD system. Coming in with two engine options, namely a 2L turbocharged inline-4 motor producing 248 hp and a 3L turbocharged inline-6 motor producing 335 hp, the 2021 5 series can put out a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 13.8 seconds. The inline-6 motor is also capable of offering a combined gas mileage of 25 MPG.
The 2021 BMW 5 Series is available for sale at a base MSRP of $54,200 for the 530i trim with the RWD setup and goes all the way to a selling price of $61,750 for the 540i trim with xDrive AWD drivetrain layout. With just a marginal $300 bump in the price tag in comparison to the outgoing 2020 5 Series, the 2021 BMW 5 Series retains the same 2L turbocharged inline-4 motor putting out 248 hp and a brand new 3L turbocharged inline-6 motor putting out an impressive 335 hp. This inline-6 motor also comes mated to a 48-volt hybrid system, which helps it to give the best in class 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds and combined gas mileage of 25 MPG.
Available in the same two trim configurations, the 2021 BMW 5 Series comes with a slightly revamped exterior design along with a new 12.3" infotainment system and more driver assistance features as standard. The 2021 BMW 5 Series also comes out as a more compelling option due to a low lease price of $658 for an initial down payment of $2,500 for a 36-month term. The 2021 540i also comes with a decently low lease and finance price too. With no other major changes to the specs and features list of the 2021 BMW 5 Series, we will find out how well this mid-size luxury sedan competes with the likes of the 2021 Mercedes Benz E-Class, 2021 Audi A6, and the 2021 Volvo S90.
"If quiet luxury and handsome styling are high on your new-car priorities list, the 2021 BMW 5-series sedan could very well be the answer."- Caranddriver.com
The 2021 BMW 5 Series is offered in the same two trims, similar to the outgoing 2020 5 Series, namely the 530i and 540i. Along with that, the 530e model is also present, for a base MSRP of $57,200 and the top of the line M550i trim is available for sale at a selling price of $76,800, both of which have been reviewed separately. Coming with the same 2L turbocharged inline 4 motor and a brand new 3L turbocharged inline-6 motor with a 48-volt hybrid system for this 2021 iteration, the BMW 5 Series offers a revamped exterior styling, which showcases 18" Reflex Silver alloy wheels that come wrapped in 245/45R18 All-Season tires. However, the suspension, steering, and brakes receive no changes.
Along with that, the 2021 BMW 5 Series also comes with a host of interior, exterior, and safety features like a 12.3" infotainment system, navigation support, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, dual-zone automatic climate control system, Dacota leather upholstery, automated emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross-traffic alert. Along with that, the 2021 BMW 5 Series also gets three optional packages for stacking up with interior features, namely a Convenience package for $850, a Premium package for $2,700, and an Executive package for $3,600. Driver Assistance Plus Package will offer advanced semi-autonomous driving tech too.
Model |
530i |
540i |
---|---|---|
MSRP (RWD) |
$54,200 |
$59,450 |
MSRP (xDrive) |
$56,500 |
$61,750 |
Key Features |
Dual Zone Climate Control |
Adds/upgrades to 530i: |
18”double-spoke wheels |
Leather trimmed dashboard |
|
Live Cockpit Professional with 12.3” display |
Dakota leather upholstery |
|
BMW Connected Package Professional |
Remote keyless entry with integrated key transmitter |
|
12-way powered front seats |
Voice-activated dual-zone front air conditioning |
|
12 speaker HiFi sound system |
||
Heated and powered side mirrors |
||
Tilt and telescopic steering wheel |
We would recommend going for the all-rounder 2021 BMW 540i trim since it is nicely balanced between its base price tag of around $59,450 and an impressive 3L turbocharged inline-6 motor producing 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. This motor also comes with a 48-volt hybrid system, meaning that you would get combined gas mileage of 25 MPG. It can also be equipped with an AWD system too. Many features like Dakota leather upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, voice-activated dual-zone automatic climate control air conditioning, 12.3" infotainment system, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert, etc are also offered. If you want more interior features, you can opt for the Convenience package, and the Driving Assistance Plus package offers the advanced semi-autonomous driving mode as well.
"Smooth, powerful, and efficient, both the four-cylinder in the 530i and the six-cylinder in the 540i motivate this big sedan with authority."- Caranddriver.com
The 2021 BMW 5 Series, comes in two trims, namely 530i and 540i. The 2021 530i trim comes with a 2L turbocharged inline-4 motor putting out 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and comes mated to an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission with Steptronic sequential shift control. The 540i trim, which is available for sale at a base MSRP of $59,450 comes with a brand new 3L turbocharged inline-6 motor putting out 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque mated to the same 8-speed automatic. Both RWD, as well as AWD drivetrain systems, are also offered with both the trims, with the latter being a $2,300 option.
The 2021 BMW 5 Series turned out to be excellent in the ride quality front, offering supple rides through the bumpy city roads. Even as the speeds increase the ride remains quite flat. However, the driving dynamics have taken a toll, due to the suspension setup that is on the softer side. As a result, the 2021 BMW 5 Series offers more body roll and understeer through the curvy roads, in comparison to the older versions. The light steering also takes the fun away. In comparison to the most powerful version of the 2021 BMW 5 Series lineup, the 2021 M550i, the regular 5 Series remains identical in the handling and ride quality front. However, the 2021 M550i, which is available for a selling price of $76,000, offers a more powerful 4.4L twin-turbo V8 motor putting out 523 hp.
The 2021 BMW 5 Series, with its base 2L turbocharged inline-4 motor in the 530i trim, manages to do the 0-60 mph and quarter-mile in 5.9 seconds and 13.8 seconds. With 4-wheel disc brakes on board, the 2021 BMW 5 Series can also do the 60-0 mph braking test in just 108 feet. In comparison, the more powerful 540i trim, which comes with a 3L turbocharged inline-6 motor mated to a 48-volt hybrid system, managed to do the 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. The 2021 M550i variant turned out to be the best of the lot in terms of acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 11.8 seconds.
Models |
2021 BMW 5 Series |
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
2021 Audi A6 |
2021 Volvo S90 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$61,750 |
$56,750 |
$55,000 |
$53,650 |
Engine |
2L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2L Turbocharged inline-4 |
2LTurbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0L Twin-Charged inline-4 |
Drivetrain |
RWD |
RWD |
AWD |
AWD |
Transmission |
8-speed Automatic |
9-Speed Automatic |
7-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic |
Power |
248 hp @ 5,200 rpm |
255 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
248 hp @ 4,300 rpm |
316 hp @ 5,700 rpm |
Torque |
258 lb-ft @ 1,450 rpm |
273 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm |
273 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
295 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm |
0-60 MPH |
5.9 seconds |
6.1 seconds |
6.1 seconds |
5.6 seconds |
Quarter Mile |
13.8 seconds |
N/A |
13.5 seconds |
14.1 seconds |
Top Speed |
130 mph |
130 mph |
130 mph |
130 mph |
In comparison to the rivals from the mid-size luxury sedan segment, the 2021 Volvo S90 turned out to be the most powerful of the lot with a 316 hp twin-charged 2L motor, which is followed by the 2021 Mercedes Benz E-Class and the 2021 Audi A6 with 255 hp and 248 hp, respectively. The 2021 Volvo S90 also turned out to be the fastest of the lot, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds, which is followed by the 2021 BMW 5 Series with 5.9 seconds. Both the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the 2021 Audi A6 did the 0-60 mph in a similar 6.1 seconds.
"The base BMW 530i is more efficient than both the equivalent Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6."- Carbuzz.com
The 2021 BMW 5 Series manages to give out a city gas mileage of 25 MPG and a highway gas mileage of 33 MPG, both of which equates to combined gas mileage of 28 MPG. Available for sale at a base MSRP of $54,200, the 2021 BMW 5 Series 530i turned out to be the most fuel-efficient offering of the mid-size luxury sedan segment. The 540i trim of the 2021 BMW 5 Series offers a lower city gas mileage of 22 MPG and a highway gas mileage of 29 MPG.
The 2021 BMW 5 Series 530i also offers a fuel tank capacity of 18 gallons, which helps this sedan to give out a combined range of 450 miles in the city and 594 miles on the highway. However, the more powerful 540i trim, which comes with the 3L turbocharged inline-6 motor mated to a 48-volt hybrid system offers a combined range of 450 miles, due to a lower city and highway gas mileage.
Model |
2021 BMW 5 Series |
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
2021 Audi A6 |
2021 Volvo S90 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
25 |
22 |
23 |
21 |
MPG (Highway) |
33 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
MPG (Combined) |
28 |
25 |
26 |
25 |
Fuel Capacity (Gallons) |
18.0 |
17.4 |
19.3 |
15.9 |
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) (miles) |
450/594/504 |
383/539/435 |
444/598/501 |
334/496/397 |
The 2021 BMW 5 Series 530i turned out to be the most fuel-efficient offering of the segment, which is followed by the 2021 Audi A6, with combined gas mileage of 26 MPG. Both the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the 2021 Volvo S90 gave out an even lower combined gas mileage of 25 MPG. The combined tank range of 504 miles put out by the 2021 BMW 5 Series was also the best in class. However, the fuel tank capacity of 19.3 gallons of the 2021 Audi A6 turned out to be the best of the lot.
"Rich appointments and good design make the cockpit of the 5-series a civilized space."- Caranddriver.com
The 2021 BMW 5 Series, which is available for a base selling price of $54,200, is a mid-size luxury sedan that offers an opulent interior with all the bells and whistles as standard in comparison to the rivals. 2021 5 Series comes with three Sensatec upholstery colors, namely Canberra Beige, Cognac Perforated, and Black Perforated. Along with that, the 2021 5 Series also comes with three optional Dakota leather upholstery for an additional $1,500 and three optional Nappa leather upholstery for $2,500. The dashboard and door cards also come wrapped in leather and the cabin feels excellent overall. The front seats are wide and accommodating with superior under-thigh and lower back support too.
With the front and rear seats wrapped in leather, the space on the inside is decent for the segment. Even though the front seat occupants would be happy with more than adequate headroom, shoulder room, and legroom, the rear seat is not the best for tall passengers. A shoulder room of 55.9" is also on the lower side and fitting three adults comfortably is not going to be easy. Nevertheless, the 2021 BMW 5 Series offers the best-in-class cargo capacity of 18.5 cubic feet, which can be further expanded with the help of the 40/20/40 split rear seats. Topping off at a base MSRP of $61,750 for the 540i trim, the 2021 BMW 5 Series also comes with many optional packages like Convenience package, Premium package, and Executive package, all of which offers more interior features to the 2021 5 Series.
Model |
2021 BMW 5 Series |
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
2021 Audi A6 |
2021 Volvo S90 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
38.8/58.7/41.4 |
37.9/57.8/41.3 |
38.0/57.8/41.3 |
37.8/57.5/42.2 |
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
37.5/55.9/36.5 |
38.2/56.9/35.8 |
38.1/56.5/37.4 |
37.8/55.4/40.4 |
Cargo capacity (cu-ft.) |
18.7 |
13.1 | 13.7 | 13.5 |
The 2021 BMW 5 Series turned out to be quite a spacious mid-size luxury sedan for the front seat passengers. However, the 2021 Volvo S90 offered better legroom. When it comes to the rear seat, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the 2021 Audi A6 offered better headroom and shoulder room. Nevertheless, the 2021 BMW 5 Series offers the best cargo capacity of 18.7 cubic feet. The 2021 BMW 5 Series is also one of the best offerings in terms of infotainment. This luxury sedan comes with a 12.3" infotainment system which is controlled using the iDrive system. This infotainment system also gets BMW's Gesture Control functionality and the audio is handled by a 12-speaker HiFi sound system.
This is one of the most intuitive infotainment systems of the segment with easy to use rotary dial and a fuss-free user experience. There are no stutters too while navigating through the infotainment. This 12.3" infotainment system also offers many connectivity features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, Bluetooth streaming, Aux support, and many more as standard. There is navigation support on board too. Some of the interior and infotainment features on offer with the 2021 BMW 5 Series has been mentioned below:
"The larger BMW kidney grille and L-shaped LED daytime running lights give the face a more imposing look than before."- Carbuzz.com
The 2021 BMW 5 Series comes with an updated exterior design in comparison to the outgoing 2020 model. The front view of the 2021 BMW 5 Series looks more muscular and striking with the projector LED headlights along with integrated LED DRLs. The 2021 BMW 5 Series is also the tallest offering of the mid-size luxury sedan segment, coming in at 58.2" of height. The length of 195.8" makes it one of the longest of the lot too, just behind the 2021 Volvo S90. This impressive length does help in giving out an excellent 18.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity to the 2021 5 Series.
The rear and side profile of the 2021 BMW 5 Series also received subtle design updates to make it stand out from the rivals of the segment. The 2021 BMW 5 Series comes with a new 18" W-Spoke Reflex Silver aluminum alloy wheels and comes wrapped in 245/45R18 All-Season tires. Many other exterior features like a chrome grille, automatic headlights, LED taillights, speed-sensitive automatic rain-sensing wipers, and heated and powered side mirrors are also offered as standard. With a wheelbase of 117.1" and a width of 73.5", the 2021 BMW 5 Series offered an excellent road presence too.
Model |
2021 BMW 5 Series |
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
2021 Audi A6 |
2021 Volvo S90 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3,942 |
4,134 |
4,266 |
4,819 |
Length (in.) |
195.8 |
193.8 |
194.4 |
200.1 |
Width (in.) |
73.5 |
72.9 |
74.3 |
74.4 |
Height (in.) |
58.2 |
57.8 |
57.4 |
57.1 |
Ground Clearance (in.) |
5.5 |
4.3 |
6.5 |
6.0 |
Wheelbase (in.) |
117.1 |
115.7 |
115.1 |
120.5 |
The 2021 Volvo S90 turned out to be the longest and widest offering of the segment, surpassing the 2021 BMW 5 Series by close to 5" and 1", respectively. The 2021 Audi A6 offered the best ground clearance of 6.5", which is 1" higher up the ground in comparison to the 2021 5 Series. However, the 2021 BMW 5 Series is much lighter than the competition, coming out with a curb weight of 3,942 lbs. In comparison, the 2021 Volvo S90 is close to 1,000 lbs heavier and the 2021 Audi A6 is about 300 lbs heavier. Some of the exterior features on offer with the 2021 BMW 5 Series has been mentioned below:
"All BMW 5 Series models come with expected safety systems like dynamic stability control, dynamic traction control, and ABS brakes."- Carbuzz.com
The 2021 BMW 5 Series, which is available for a base selling price of $54,200, comes with a long list of standard safety and driver-assistance features. As a result, the 2021 BMW 5 Series received a good rating in all the subsections of the IIHS crash test. However, it wasn't selected as the top safety pick by the organization. The NHTSA hasn't crash-tested the 2021 BMW 5 Series yet. Even the outgoing 2020 BMW 5 Series hasn't been crashed tested by the NHTSA.
The 2021 BMW 5 Series comes with a host of safety and driver assistance features as standard, even for the base 530i trim. Features like automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert, automatic front seat belt tensioning, fatigue and focus alert, post-crash braking, etc are offered as standard along with all the basic safety features like ABS, airbags, driveline traction control, stability control, and tire pressure monitoring system. However, you need to opt for the Driving Assistance Plus package to get the advanced semi-autonomous driving tech.
The 2021 Mercedes Benz E-Class is the most fierce competitor of the 2021 BMW 5 Series and offers a few compelling reasons to choose the former. The biggest reason is the roomier cabin, offering more headroom and shoulder room for the rear seat passenger. The interior is a bit more opulent too with the 2021 Mercedes Benz E-Class. However, when it comes to performance, acceleration, ride quality, and overall driving experience, the 2021 BMW 5 Series slightly edges ahead. The BMW 2021 5 Series also gave out better gas mileage. Nevertheless, the 2021 Mercedes Benz E-Class is cheaper by $5,000.
The 2021 Audi A6, which is available for sale at a base MSRP of $55,000, is one of the cheapest offerings of the mid-size luxury sedan segment. Nevertheless, the 2021 Audi A6 is more spacious, offers AWD as standard, and is decently quick too. However, the 2021 BMW 5 Series edges ahead in most of the aspects barring the space on offer. Hence, we would recommend you to get the 2021 BMW 5 Series if you want an all-rounder premium mid-size sedan.
The 2021 Volvo S90 is quite spacious, comfortable, and offers a well-designed interior. However, this mid-size luxury sedan from Sweden cannot come close to the level of quality and refinement, especially in the interior of the 2021 5 Series. The long-term reliability of the 2021 Volvo S90 is questionable too. Available for sale at a base MSRP of $53,650, the 2021 Volvo S90 is the fastest accelerating car of the segment. Hence, if you are looking for exclusivity and performance, the 2021 Volvo S90 makes for a good choice. However, for everything else, the 2021 BMW 5 Series is still a better bet.
The 2021 BMW 5 Series ticks most of the boxes for a perfect mid-size luxury sedan. It has got excellent powertrain across the trim levels and offers exceptional gas mileage too. We were also thoroughly impressed with the performance showcased by the 2021 BMW 5 Series in the 0-60 mph and quarter-mile test. Along with that, the 2021 BMW 5 Series also comes with an impressive list of interior and driver-assistance features as standard. Hence, if you could overlook the slightly mediocre rear-seat space and the tamed down driving experience, the 2021 BMW 5 Series is still one of the best choices of the segment.
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