2014 BMW 5-Series Review
If there were one strong contender for the title, it would be the BMW 5-Series. The Bavarian mid-sized luxury sedan offers plenty of arguments to state its case for this lofty title. Reputation above all drives the praise of this popular mid-sized premium sedan. CarSoup.com wanted to drive the 5-Series – in particular a 535i xDrive – to see whether it is worthy of its crown or not.
Exterior
One look outside shows how much the 5-Series has grown in size and stature. This current generation – the F10 – is now around 193 inches long and weighs in at 4,233 pounds for this 535i xDrive tester. It is not exactly the lithest car around, but there are plenty of reasons for the 5-Series being such a substantial vehicle.
For its size, it certainly looks the part. Styling-wise, BMW cleaned up a lot of the previous version’s design elements and crafted a visually pleasing package. Some might say “bland,” but perhaps nondescript it is not. It has a distinctive silhouette consider its size and stature – the twin kidney grille giving away its prime identity. Yet it is handsomely proportioned to fit the scale of it mission.
Interior
An opening of any of the doors reveals a spacious and comfortable cabin. The driver is treated to a well-proportioned command center behind the wheel. With seats that balance position, comfort and bolstering, the steering wheel provides an entry onto an easy to read instrument panel with a TFT center screen for trip information and the right dials for easy gauging. A huge TFT screen housing the navigation, audio and iDrive readouts crown the center stack. Beneath it is the iDrive knob, its associated buttons and the gearlever. Those familiar with the ways of BMW will have no problem mastering these controls.
If the driver has a great position behind the wheel, all other passengers will also feel very special. Rear seat passengers, in particular, will feel they are in a limousine. There is more than enough leg and headroom for adults to relax in the back. The 5-Series is the kind of luxury mid-sized sedan you want for a long journey, since each seating position is designed to reward its occupant – driver and passenger alike.
Performance/Drive
There are plenty of performance options for the 5-Series. The more balanced choice is the 3.0litre TwinPower turbocharged in-line six-cylinder with 300 horsepower on tap. There is no lag to speak of with immediate power off the line. Power is transferred onto BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system through a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox. Gear changes are quick and unobtrusive. As part of the EfficientDynamics package, BMW installed a stop/start system that is undetectable and smooth.
The biggest argument for the “best sedan in the world” title can be felt on the road. In comparison to its main rivals – the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Lexus GS – the 5-Series offers a perfect mix of ride and handling in its driving dynamics package. Throw it into a curve and it will never waiver. It runs flat through the turns. The suspension does a magnificent job in absorbing all road surfaces giving it a balanced ride.
Part of the trick to achieving such a driving dynamics mix is in a bank of buttons by the shifter. Driving Dynamics Control lets you choose from four modes: ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport +. Each one has a great balance between ride, handling, steering feel/action and brake actuation. No matter the setting expect solid steering feel and feedback, sharp response and a great braking system.
When taking it all in, you forget this is a big car. The 5-Series does feels big, but it moves like something 500 pounds less than its specification. However, there is another piece of the puzzle that one may be concerned about – fuel economy. On the average, BMW stated that the 535i xDrive would get 24MPG. There are other, more efficient models in the 5-Series line, such as the ActiveHybrid 5, the turbocharged four-cylinder 528i and the new 535d turbocharged diesel.
Pricing
A “basic” 528i starts off at $50,000. This particular 535i xDrive model ran the sticker to almost $63,000. If you want to the ultimate 5-Series experience, there is the 560 horsepower M5 – starting at around $91,000.
The question must be asked: Is the BMW 5-Series truly the “best sedan in the world?” The arguments are in and the jury is still debating. However, if you said that the 5-Series is indeed the “best sedan in the world,” then you would have no problem with some agreement towards that conclusion.
There is your answer.
**If you are interested in a BMW 5-Series, check out CarSoup.com for what is available in your area. **
Photos © BMW AG
