Our observations remain applicable, nonetheless. It's worth noting that the 2019 5 Series adds Apple CarPlay smartphone integration and some new safety features that weren't offered on the 2018 long-term vehicle. We were big fans of the 5 Series' performance and efficiency but experienced a few technical difficulties with the infotainment system. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world fuel economy.
To learn more about the BMW 5 Series of this generation, read about our experiences from a full year of living with a 2018 BMW 540i xDrive. Notably, we picked the 2019 BMW 5 Series as one of Edmunds' Best Midsize Sedans for this year. Certainly, though, the 5 Series is among the best. Deciding between these all-stars will probably depend on personal preference or some intangible that just makes one feel right to you. But lately the lines have blurred, with a variety of choices within each lineup.
Historically, the BMW has been more of the driver's choice, the Benz is the more traditional take on luxury, and the Audi splits the difference down the middle. Of course, you'll get comparable experiences from the BMW 5 Series' primary competition: the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the fully redesigned Audi A6. All 5 Series versions provide a healthy dose of technology, luxury and safety features. But we like that you can also get the plug-in hybrid 530e for its almost 30 miles of electric-only range or go with M550i for its face-flattening acceleration. We think the six-cylinder in the 540i hits the sweet spot for power and efficiency. Pleasingly, the 2019 BMW 5 Series rises to meet the challenge.īMW fits the 5 Series with a familiar lineup of four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines. Discerning buyers expect high levels of refinement, performance, technology and prestige that few other cars can match. Midsize luxury sedans have a difficult task to complete.