2027 BMW 5 SeriesMotorTrendLuxurious and sportyPlentiful passenger space and cargo volumeIntelligent hands-free drivingSedate 530iMenu-heavy infotainment system550e PHEV lacks gripThere's a 2027 BMW 5 Series for everyone, provided you have the coin to put one of these luxury sedans or wagons in your driveway. BMW showcases its versatility with its luxurious midsize car, offered with gas-only, PHEV, and EV powertrains.Despite the 5er's many strengths, it still faces stiff competition from the likes of the Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the Genesis G80.AdvertisementAdvertisementLooking for the fully electric 5 Series? Read all about the BMW i5 here.What's NewAfter receiving several minor updates for the 2026 model year, the 2027 BMW 5 Series is a complete carryover. Last year, BMW introduced faster charging for plug-in hybrid models and improved range for all-electric i5 variants.What We ThinkThe 2027 BMW 5 Series has so much more to offer than its tweener status indicates. Although it sits between other notable nameplates like the 3 Series and 7 Series within BMW's lineup, the 5 Series has evolved to make its versatility a strength.A veritable automotive chameleon, the 5er can be outfitted as a conventional gas-only sedan, a PHEV, and as an EV. You can even get the 5 Series as the high-performance M5 Touring station wagon.AdvertisementAdvertisementGranted, the 5 Series gets more interesting the higher up you go within its model range. The entry-level 530i is a fairly bland luxury car. It gets the job done with luxurious comportment and an engine that's stronger than its size lets on, but it doesn't have the sporty edge we've seen from earlier iterations of the 5er.Stepping up to the plug-in hybrid 550e awakens the true potential of the 5 Series. The addition of an electric motor lend itself to exciting acceleration, and BMW's handling know-how shines through with this 5 Series variant.It also happens to be an efficient choice for a luxurious daily driver. Grip is a weak point, however, and performance depends on the 550e's state of charge.As is typical of the 5 Series range, the M5 is the most serious performance model on offer. This time around, the M5 is a plug-in hybrid and comes as both a sedan or as a Touring wagon for the first time ever in our market.AdvertisementAdvertisementRegardless of body style, the M5 delivers explosive acceleration and surprising dynamism for such a heavy vehicle. As the newcomer to the high-performance wagon segment on our shores, it defeated the non-hybrid Audi RS6 Avant in a comparison test. Although no one version of the 2027 BMW 5 Series does everything right, this midsize car has a powertrain for every purpose.Before you go rushing to a BMW dealership to put down a deposit on a 5 Series, though, consider also the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The 5er's longtime rival not only won our 2025 Car of the Year award but also returned as a finalist in our 2026 competition in Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Wagon form.Top-Ranked Competitors:Audi A6Genesis G80Mercedes-Benz E-ClassLexus ESMotorTrend TestedThe 530i serves as the foundation of the 2027 BMW 5 Series lineup. Equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 aided by a 48-volt mild hybrid system, the entry-level BMW 5 Series develops 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Like every version of the 2027 BMW 5 Series, it receives an eight-speed automatic transmission.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 530i is standard with RWD and is available with BMW's xDrive AWD system. The rear-drive 530i accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, while the xDrive model needs 5.6 seconds.Next in the lineup is the 2027 BMW 540i xDrive, which is offered exclusively with AWD. Powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine developing 375 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, the 540i dashes from 0 to 60 mph in a BMW-claimed 4.4 seconds.At the top of the mainstream BMW 5 Series range is the 550e plug-in hybrid. This model uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged I-6 developing 308 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque and an electric motor producing 194 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The AWD-only 550e's combined output is rated at 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, good for a 0–60-mph sprint of just 3.8 seconds.Beyond the 550e sits the 2027 BMW M5, offered in both sedan and Touring wagon forms. Also a PHEV, the M5 produces 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque from the combined contributions of its 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine and electric motor. In our testing, the M5 launched from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 3.2 seconds. That makes it 0.2 second quicker than the non-hybrid Audi RS6 Avant.MPG and RangeQuickness is shared by all members of the 2027 BMW 5 Series lineup, albeit to varying degrees. So too is efficiency that belies the spriteliness of these midsize luxury cars.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2027 BMW 530i gets 29/35 mpg city/highway and 493 miles of range, while the xDrive variant is rated at 26/34 mpg and 477 miles of range. The six-cylinder 2027 BMW 540i xDrive is good for 26/32 mpg and 445 miles of range.We expect the plug-in 550e, which uses a 14.4-kWh battery, to carry over 34 miles of all-electric range and total driving range of 430 miles. When the battery is depleted, the 550e is good for 22/28 mpg.The BMW M5 uses a 14.8-kWh battery that enables 29 miles of all-electric driving range in sedan form and 25 miles of EV range in Touring guise. Total driving range should continue to be rated at 280 miles for the sedan and 270 miles for the wagon. With the battery depleted, the M5 sedan returns 12/19 mpg, and the M5 Touring is rated at 11/17 mpg.Safety Ratings and FeaturesIIHS grants the 2026 BMW 5 Series with the top rating of Good in all categories evaluated. BMW outfits its midsize car with a healthy number of active safety features, though some equipment is reserved for optional packages.Standard FeaturesThe 2027 BMW 5 Series comes with the following items as standard equipment: front and rear automatic emergency braking, intersection collision avoidance, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beams.Available FeaturesBMW offers adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, hands-free driving, and automatic lane change capability either as standalone options or bundled in a package. Drivers can initiate an automatic lane change in the 5 Series by using the turn signal stalk or by looking at either side mirror.Cargo Space and Interior RoomThe 2027 BMW 5 Series offers more second row legroom and cargo space than its chief rival, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. If you want to haul stuff and also go fast, the 2027 BMW M5 Touring can stow 27.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row.AdvertisementAdvertisementFolding down the second row's split 40/20/40 bench opens up a total volume of 57.6 cubic feet. Note that cargo volume is measured differently for sedans and wagons, so the comparison between models is imperfect.TechnologyInfotainmentBMW outfits every 5 Series with a 12.3-inch driver display and a 14.9-inch infotainment display housed under a curved panel. These displays run BMW Operating System 8.5, which offers both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.Several USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad keep devices juiced up. For the purposes of transparent entertainment, BMW's AirConsole platform allows you to play video games on the infotainment display.Sound SystemA 12-speaker sound system from Harman Kardon is standard on the 2027 BMW 5 Series, while an 18-speaker arrangement from Bowers & Wilkins is available as an option on lower-spec versions of the 5er and standard on higher-level models like the M5.Available UpgradesExtra equipment for the 2027 BMW 5 Series includes a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, a 360-degree camera system, and an interior camera for taking selfies or monitoring the interior remotely.ValueStandard FeaturesDespite its entry-level positioning, the 2027 BMW 530i comes equipped with a well-rounded list of features. Mechanically, BMW outfits a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 530i rolls on 19-inch wheels and is decked out in satin aluminum exterior trim.AdvertisementAdvertisementInside the cabin, BMW dresses the interior with its perforated Veganza synthetic leather upholstery. Oak or ash wood is offered as standard trim for the cockpit of the base 5 Series. The 2027 BMW 530i begins a hair under $62,000.Recommended TrimThe Goldilocks 5 Series variant is the 2027 BMW 550e. We've found this model to offer the right balance of comfort and driver engagement. It's quick off the line and benefits from the efficiency of running on electric-only power.In addition to its turbocharged straight-six engine, electric motor, and eight-speed automatic transmission, BMW equips its M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes, and 19-inch wheels with M branding. The 550e starts under $77,000, which we think is the right price given the benefits of its PHEV system and other performance upgrades.The 2027 BMW i5 Is the All-Electric 5erThose who want to forgo gasoline power entirely can opt for the 2027 BMW i5, which is offered in three configurations: RWD eDrive40, AWD xDrive40, and sporty M60. Spritely acceleration is shared by all three variants, and performance improves as you move up the lineup.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe i5 is heavy, so it errs on the squishy side, lending itself to comfortable comportment rather than a stiffly sprung ride. Range is rated between 259 and 328 miles depending on configuration. The i5's charging speeds aren't the best in the luxury space, but its NACS charging port is standard for 2027 and makes connectivity with the Tesla Supercharger network a breeze.Check out our full review on the BMW i5 right here.