2020 BMW 5 Series Review

Name: 2020 BMW 5 Series Review
Brand: BMW

Price Range: $19,385 - $48,998

2020 BMW 5 Series 530e Sedan Exterior. Options Shown.

2020 BMW 5 Series 540i xDrive Sedan Exterior. Luxury Package Shown.

2020 BMW 5 Series 540i Sedan Exterior. M Package Shown.

+134

The 2020 BMW 5 Series lives up to the expectations set by its forebears. There's an engine for nearly every taste, and the car's handling capabilities are fundamentally sound. Factor in the 5 Series' top-shelf tech and safety features and you've got a prime pick for a midsize luxury sedan.

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Price & Payment

20 cars

$30,656 avg. price

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2020 BMW 5 Series Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

Increased power for M550i model
530e hybrid receives a larger, more powerful battery pack
Minor changes to standard and optional features availability
Part of the seventh 5 Series generation introduced for 2017

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.53 per gallon for premium unleaded in Texas.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas

$154/mo

$171/mo

Avg. Large Car

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#14 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the BMW 5 Series from 2008-2022.}

$761/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.48x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

15.8%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

BMW 5 Series Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

47 reviews

5(70%)

4(11%)

3(4%)

2(9%)

1(6%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2019 BMW 530e issues

DG, 12/23/2018

2019 BMW 5 Series 530e xDrive iPerformance 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

This is an overall great car; fun to drive and at a luxury level that most people will find appealing. The car delivers on gas performance. Over the 800 miles I’ve owned the car, half city and half highway, it’s averaging about 45 mpge. Interior build quality is excellent. I’ve had a minor issue with the truck latch not engaging. It’s at the dealer having a new latch assembly put in. … That’s a little disappointing. But the biggest disappointment, no , major complaint, and it’s a big one, is the squealing from the brakes. It’s not a minor low level noise; it’s fingernails on the chalk board level. The dealership says BMWs are know for this. I say, BS. No other car on the market routinely puts out a car that has squeaking brakes. It’s been back to the dealership twice. Hopefully, it will be resolved, but to those of you thinking about buying a 530, beware, trust me, it’s something you can’t live with. It’s that bad. 2/20/2019 update: Update from my original 12/23/18 posting. The brake issue has been resolved. The dealer attempted to chamfer the brakes on one occasion and then cleaned and lubricated them on another, both with no improvement. It took making a video of the noise generated by the squealing brakes but the dealer finally agreed to replace them, probably after contacting corporate. The new brake pads and rotors are functioning, as expected, noiselessly and flawlessly, just how they should be. Thank you BMW corporate! August 2019 update: I have owned the car for 9+ months and have 7300 miles on it. My initial impressions, after resolution of the brake issue have been exceeded. The car is supremely comfortable to drive, exceptionally quiet, especially on electric mode, and incredibly efficient as far as gas consumption. I must admit, it is not only fun and engaging to drive but a joy to own. August 2020 update: I have owned the car for almost 2 full years. It has performed flawlessly. Not a hiccup. Average combined gas/electric range has consistently been 50+ mpg. My commute is a combination of half rural and half highway driving. Nothing in the car has needed service and the ride remains impeccably quiet; no rattles, loose items, just a solid feel that conveys a serene sense of comfort and reliance. A good buy. August 2021 update: Going into my third year of ownership and I can report that there have been absolutely zero issues to report. The only thing I’ve done is an oil change and a four wheel alignment. The ride quality has remained supremely comfortable and quiet. I just hit 22,000 miles, not a huge number considering the car was purchased in the fall of 2017.

First class express

49mile driver, 07/13/2019

2019 BMW 5 Series 540i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Fast, smooth, roomy, understated and possessing a proper option list for a car of this class. After a year with the 540i I can say my deepest satisfaction driving this car is on the open road or loaded with family. Its powerful engine provides nearly silent thrust on demand, and its stable suspension and predictable steering effectively mask what is a big heavy car. You want nimble, buy … a 3-series. You want opulence, get a 7. This 5 occupies a spot where sedan utility is dressed in its most luxurious form, exuding confidence, strength and capability. The tech is amazing; my phone connects easily, the car reads messages to me and I speak my response; the seats and lighting are wonderfully customizable and the driving aids have varying levels of sensitivity or can be turned off completely. I chose the M Sport package because I do attack twisty roads from time to time, which the car does without complaint. Again, it's no 3 series but it is more than willing to chase one down a mountain road. On the freeway It is stately and quiet, eating up miles like a baleen whale swimming through a field of krill. I chose the options for soft-close automatic doors and massaging seats, which adds another layer of icing to this excellent cake. What don't I like? The automatic headlights don't come on in foggy daylight conditions. The trunk can't be closed from inside the car. Options are expensive. What is priceless? Driving friends home after an evening out and having no one eager to leave the car when we arrive at their door. Update January 20 2020: The trunk can be closed from inside the car by lifting (and holding) the switch with the engine running. I added the M Performance Sound and Power Kit, resulting in a marked increase in giddyap and a sufficiently throaty exhaust note at startup and idle. Nearly 20K on the car and there have been only two issues: a recurring passenger restraint alert and a repeated warning of low tire pressure. Both were addressed and resolved by the dealer. I also asked for and received a software update to the media system and CarPlay, which enhanced the connection with my phone. This remains an athletic, comfortable and luxurious big sedan that I would buy again. Update July 2020: Still love the car. I drive in standard Sport mode most of the time. Perhaps due to supply issues in our new COVID world, BMW has reduced the set of options available at this time for the car. If you are ordering one, load it up. Update January 2021: Replaced my third run-flat tire due to road hazards. They aren't cheap, the space the spare tire takes up in the trunk is unacceptable. No major issues. I remain a fan of this car.

A Civilized Beast

ZA, 12/21/2019

2020 BMW 5 Series M550i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A)

Just picked the 2020 M550 version with the improved HP and The idrive 7. Custom spec with almost all options included. As an prior owner of multiple other luxury cars and SUVs, this one is the best combination of speed, luxury and technology at around 85k-95k MSRP point. The car has multiple personalities depending on which driving mode you engage in. Driving in adaptive mode has been my …

Love this 540i

Hawk94, 04/28/2019

2019 BMW 5 Series 540i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Very happy to own this car, upgraded from 2010 528i, can’t stop taking it out for driving, very luxurious interior, nice touch screen, a bit confused with touch screen controls with Apple CarPlay mixed-in at beginning (not able to make a one-push call from steering column call button, but must use touch screen to make a call?), seats are very comfortable giving plenty of support to back, …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 BMW 5 Series, so we've included reviews for other years of the 5 Series since its last redesign.

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2020 5 Series Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

530i

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$53,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$154/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the 5 Series models:

Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection: Uses infrared technology to see and alert you of things such as people and animals in the road before they become visible to the naked eye.
Active Blind-Spot Detection: Alerts you of vehicles in the adjacent lanes using radar sensors and will indicate if it's safe to change lanes.
City Collision Mitigation: Automatically brakes the car at speeds under 38 mph when it detects an imminent collision and the driver has taken no action.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 BMW 5 Series Review

Price & Payment

2020 BMW 5 Series Review

What's new

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.53 per gallon for premium unleaded in Texas.}

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

BMW 5 Series Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

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2019 BMW 530e issues

First class express

A Civilized Beast

Love this 540i

2020 5 Series Highlights

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2020 BMW 5 Series Review

Price & Payment

2020 BMW 5 Series Review

What's new

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.53 per gallon for premium unleaded in Texas.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

BMW 5 Series Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2019 BMW 530e issues

First class express

A Civilized Beast

Love this 540i

2020 5 Series Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 BMW 5 Series info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of BMW

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.53 per gallon for premium unleaded in Texas.}