2018 BMW 5-Series – A Premium Luxury Saloon With Nicely Finished, Spacious Cabin, And Superb Handling
If you are seeking a highly capable executive saloon that is more athletic than its rival from Mercedes (we mean E-Class), you should look no further than the BMW 5-Series. It is also more tech-packed than the Audi A6 and is accessible in the Estate body layout.
BMW introduced the seventh generation of the 5-Series in 2017 and brought the best-rounded iteration of this mid-size car in 2018. The world appreciates the 2018 5-Series for its potent powertrains, pleasant handling, upmarket interior, huge trunk, comfortable cabin, high safety rating, and excellent predicted reliability score.
2018 BMW 5-Series Review
Powertrains
BMW offers this luxury saloon in three diesel and two petrol mills along with a hybrid powertrain. The standard gearbox is eight-speed automatic, while the xDrive four-wheel drive is available for maximum traction on slippery roads.
We suggest going for the BMW 530i if you drive primarily in town. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is a tad smoother than the most reasonably-priced diesel saloons, assisting it in achieving 62 mph in only six seconds. You can get around 40mph fuel economy with a light foot on the accelerator.
If you are someone who has to do motorway driving most of the time, buy the base 520d carrying a 2.0-litre four-cylinder mill that’s moderately smooth and remarkably quiet while travelling. It isn’t as agile as the 2.0-litre diesel in the E-Class, but it is definitely quick enough. The models with standard rear-wheel-drive deliver 45mpg, but the ones with xDrive have to bear a 5mpg loss.
If you have extra cash and do not bother about the running expenses, we highly recommend considering the more robust six-cylinder mills.
The BMW 530d diesel would be a delight to travel on the motorway with 40mpg fuel economy. On the other hand, the 540i petrol is slicker and can hit 62mph from a standstill position in only 4.8 seconds. Now that’s sports car-like acceleration!
On the downside for petrolheads, the luxury saloon is not available in the manual gearbox. You can only have the 5-Series in eight-speed automatic that is very sleek and responsive.
Interior
The interior is totally upmarket, giving a plush and comfortable feel. The walnut and piano black trims, as well as softer Nappa leather seats in black, ivory, or mocha, are optional features. The front seats are power-adjustable, and you can add massaging as well as heat and ventilation to them by paying extra.
Apart from a digital driver’s display, the posh saloon comes with the BMW’s top-spec iDrive infotainment system usable through a 10.25-inch screen. Other standard features include a 12-speaker audio system, navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a moonroof.
A satellite radio, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, Apple CarPlay, gesture control for the infotainment system, wireless device charging, and a Wi-Fi hot spot are all optional facilities.
Safety
Expectedly, the BMW 5-Series received a five-star Euro NCAP score in 2017. In the U.S., the 2018 iteration also received a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS - the institution’s highest rank. It makes the 5-Series one of the safety saloons, even in secondhand form.
Price
Since the 5-Series is accessible in different trim levels and powertrains, the price depends on the variant and the optional equipment. The 2016 models are available for around £17,000, while the 2018 5-series models go for at least £20,000.
For the best 5-Series deals in town, visit Hilton Car Supermarket.