600PS i5 leads 2023 BMW 5 Series line-up

Firstly, the looks. BMW reckons this is a reduced design language, with the new 5 Series also growing in length, width and height by 97mm, 32mm and 36mm respectively. This is BMW we’re talking about so certainly; it could be worse. But is it an improvement? The outgoing 5 Series is a very handsome car so, while there’s nothing offensive about the new car, we’d call it a stumble backwards on style.

The grille is bigger, has an optional light-up option and is blanked on the i5 with a large radar module sat in the middle. On the M Sport cars, it’s also joined by a lot of black trim that meets it directly underneath. That’s matched by black trim on the side skirts and in the lower part of the rear end. The front lights are more triangular in what feels like a gentle nod to the E60-generation 5 Series and its flamboyant ‘lashes’.

In silhouette, the beloved ‘Hoffmeister kink’ has been tamed, with the rear door trim tapering off just a bit too much, to take a bit of that distinctive ‘BMW’ look away. It’s much more streamlined, with the roof tapering down into the boot in more a fastback than three-box fashion.

At the rear there’s no light bar, or blocky boot like on the 7 Series, but again, there’s less distinctively ‘BMW’ blade lights, with little sign of the ‘L’ signature that often marks them out. Will the looks put the 5 Series-faithful off? No. They’re just not great.

Inside the new 5 Series – leather-free in-car gaming

On the inside, it’s much better news. There’s a new option for a totally leather-free cabin, with the new ‘Veganza’ perforated material taking its place on the seats, dash, door panels and steering wheel.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series looks as sharp and comfortable as ever, with the major addition being the latest BMW Curved Display featuring BMW OS 8.5. While mostly controlled via touch and voice, there is also the option to use the iDrive Controller on the centre console. On way or another, it ought to be one of the more intuitive systems in the market.

The screens are 12.3-inch – for the driver – and 14.9-inch – for the infotainment – respectively, merging within a single curved high-res unit. Naturally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are pretty much a given, but new for this 5 Series is in-car gaming with the new AirConsole system. AirConsole allows over-the-air delivery of games, which can be controlled via your smartphone. There’s also the option of up to four 5G mobile antennas, heightening connectivity and the digital user experience.

517PS i5 leads 2024 5 Series petrol, diesel, PHEV and electric line-up

What you really want to know, however, is what powers the new 5 Series range. Including the new i5, the range of powertrains is more diverse than ever, with varying levels of electrification all the way to full EV.

Starting with the star of the show, the i5, we have two options: the rear-drive eDrive40 and all-wheel-drive M60 xDrive. These have 335PS (246kW)/400Nm (295lb ft) and a whopping 517PS (380kW)/800Nm (590lb ft) respectively. The M60 can boost to 601PS (442kW) in launch and boost modes. Both use a battery pack with 84.3kWh of usable capacity (overall it’s larger) that can charge from 10-80 per cent in 30 minutes using DC fast charging.

In terms of range, the eDrive and M60 are rated for up to 361 miles and 320 miles respectively on a charge. BMW claims the new ‘MAX RANGE’ mode can boost range by up to 25 per cent in a pinch, by restricting power and limiting comfort functions. When battery power is in abundance, the performance is predictably spectacular, with the flagship M60 hitting 62mph in 3.8 seconds. The rear-drive eDrive still has some poke, getting to 62mph in six seconds.

The 5 Series meanwhile will launch with the 520i, 520d, with more powerful 530 and 540 variants being available outside of Europe. Happily, six cylinders will join the line-up next year, in the form of a new diesel engine, however for now, be it mild- or plug-in hybrid, the 5 Series is four-cylinder only in Europe for 2023. Power ranges from 197PS (145kW) to 208PS (153kW) in the basic 520d and 520i available at launch.

530e the sweet spot, 550e the powerhouse, both out in the spring

Joining in Spring 2024 will be the 530e PHEV, which will pair a petrol engine with an electric motor for 299PS (220kW) combined. That’ll have an all-electric range of between 54 and 63 miles and could prove the sweet spot of the range for many buyers.

If more poke is the order of the day, the 489PS (360kW) 550e combines a six-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor. Then after that, a new diesel six-cylinder joins the range and after that again… the new M5.

2025 BMW M5 – what to expect

See the XM and its mega-horsepower hybridised 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8? That mill will be seeing service in the next M5, with the plug-in performance saloon expected to split the difference between the XM and XM Red Label’s 653PS (480kW) and 750PS (552kW) outputs. We expect the number to start with a 7 because firstly: an M5 won’t be outdone by a C-Class, and secondly: the M5 is sure to use the ‘proper’ M V8. Either way, it’ll be an absolute monster.

In terms of pricing, you’ll likely not pay any less than £50,000 for any new 5 Series, while the monster i5 M60 starts from £96,840. PHEVs, more potent models will likely also sit within that range, with the i5 eDrive splitting the difference at £73,200.