Express & Star

The BMW 5 Series Touring continues to be a premium benchmark

The BMW 5 Series has long been the one to beat in the premium estate market. Darren Cassey gets behind the wheel of the latest version to see if that’s likely to continue

Published

What is it?

(BMW)
(BMW)

When the BMW 5 Series gets refreshed it’s a pretty big deal. It has long been considered the benchmark for premium saloons and estates, but with new rivals such as Volvo trying to worm their way into a sector dominated by BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, it’s no surprise that the 5 Series has been overhauled to stay ahead of the competition.

What’s new?

(BMW)
(BMW)

Aside from a slightly more slender appearance, the 5 Series looks very similar to its predecessor. However, under the skin there have been plenty of changes. For example, the chassis has been reworked using more lightweight materials, which contribute to an overall weight reduction of 100kg.

Meanwhile the notoriously smooth ride has been further optimised with a new suspension setup at the front and the rear.

What’s under the bonnet?

(BMW)
(BMW)

Our 530d test car came with a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine. It’s an ideal powerplant for those who drive long distances, with excellent response and a surging, torquey power delivery. Resist the urge to put your foot down and you can easily achieve nearly 60mpg.

The 2.0-litre diesel is even more efficient, promising economy in excess of 60mpg and costing less to begin with. It doesn’t have the same badge appeal as the 530d, but it has more than enough performance so you never feel like you’re missing out.

What’s it like to drive?

(BMW)
(BMW)

A calm, relaxing drive has always been the 5 Series’ key selling point, and BMW has exceeded its own high standard with the latest model. At motorway speeds it manages to smooth out the road so that even long drives are dispatched with zero stress.

What’s arguably even more impressive is that this is not at the expense of great handling. The steering weight is perfectly judged and the 5 Series refrains from rolling around making it surprisingly fun to throw down a back road.

How does it look?

(BMW)
(BMW)

BMW’s premium estate is a big car, and it struggles to hide it. The design is more slender than before, with the bodywork appearing to hug the frame more tightly. Particularly in the sportier trims, the addition of small aerodynamic wings help to give a more aggressive appearance, though the standard car does look a tad plain.

What’s it like inside?

(BMW)
(BMW)

The interior is fantastic and exactly what you’d expect from a premium estate, sitting further towards the luxury 7 Series than the more family focused 3 Series. A large central screen plays host to all the menus and satellite navigation functions, with many controls able to be used by waving your hands around.

The only complaint that can be levelled at the car is that the seats are quite uncomfortable, resulting in minor back ache over long distances. Be sure to try out different seats and driving positions before settling on one.

What’s the spec like?

(BMW)
(BMW)

The 5 Series’ specification is impressive across the board, with even models lower down the pecking order not giving the feeling you’re being short changed – a few blanked off buttons the only hint that something is up.

The standard SE model still gets the widescreen on the dashboard, two-zone climate control and ambient lighting, which makes night driving really pleasant. Optional extras that are worth going for include adaptive cruise control, Driving Assistant Plus (which includes a range of advanced driving aids) and wireless mobile phone charging.

Verdict

(BMW)
(BMW)

It’s difficult to find much to fault with the BMW 5 Series. It was already at the top of the game and with a few choice revisions, such as a lighter chassis and upgraded suspension, there’s no doubt it’ll continue at the top of the sales charts.

Every mile behind the wheel reminds you why this is the premium saloon benchmark – sorry to BMW’s rivals, but expect business as usual in the sales charts.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.