2010 BMW 5-Series Wagon

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
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Performance - What the Auto Press Says

Test drivers find that the BMW 5-Series Wagon provides plenty of power and excellent handling dynamics.

• "The ... BMW 5 Series is an extremely balanced machine that can handle aggressive driving maneuvers on winding back roads as well as it dispatches weekday commutes on crumbling expressways." -- Edmunds
• "The wagon excels at carrying people and cargo while being easier to maneuver and much easier to park than a minivan, sport-utility and some crossovers," -- Chicago Tribune.

Acceleration and Power

Critics are pleased with the 535i xDrive Sports Wagon's powerful and smooth powertrain. It features a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 300 pound-feet of torque at 1,400 to 5,000 rpm. While a six-speed manual transmission is standard, a STEPTRONIC automatic is optional.

According to the EPA, the 5-Series Wagon nets a city/highway fuel economy of 16/23 mpg with the manual transmission and 16/24 with the automatic.

• "[T]he 5 Series' new twin-turbo six-cylinder is the bread and butter of the model's powertrain lineup." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "The 3-liter, twin-turbo, inline 6 guarantees plenty of zip without lag when leaving the light or pulling out to pass. The guts of a sedan, though not the glitter." -- Chicago Tribune
• "Once engaged, the six-speed shifts smoothly but prematurely in the name of fuel economy." -- Car and Driver
• "The automatic works well, but can be tardy on downshifts. Manual transmissions shift smoothly." -- Consumer Guide

Handling and Braking

Test drivers report that the BMW 5-Series wagon is a great handler. Standard features aiding the wagon's performance include Dynamic Stability Control, Brake Fade Compensation, Brake Drying and Dynamic Traction Control.

• "The 5-Series' ride and handling combination is among the world's best." -- Consumer Guide
• "The driving experience hasn't changed much, as the 5 Series still has sharper reflexes and more road feel than any other car in its class." -- Edmunds
• "[T]he Active Suspension behaved transparently (and brilliantly), enabling a smooth ride even over choppy pavement and providing unimaginably tenacious grip in sharp corners." -- Kelley Blue Book

All-Wheel Drive

Standard on the 5-Series Wagon is BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system, which makes the 5-Series Wagon sure-footed in inclement weather.

• "XDrive can reduce drive to the front tires so more of their available grip can be devoted to cornering while increasing drive and reducing lateral stick at the rear, helping the car to rotate without brake intervention." -- Motor Trend