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BMW 5-Series - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 BMW 5-Series ranks 6 out of 13 Luxury Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 6 published reviews and test drives of the BMW 5-Series, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The BMW 5-Series is the most athletic of the large luxury cars. A driver's car, it is capable of cruising comfortably with five adults inside - but this car was built for a solitary drive down a winding road.

Inside, the accommodations are in line with its price tag, but sparse compared to the best interiors in its class. Well-equipped, a 5-Series can also cost thousands more than some very competent rivals. But if you buy a car for the sheer joy of driving it, this may be the best large luxury car you could find.

Buyers might want to test drive a supercharged Jaguar XF or Audi A6 before committing. Both of those cars offer excellent pure acceleration, and handling balance that approaches the BMW's.

The 5-Series also holds its value well, and is surprisingly fuel-efficient for a large car built for driving excitement. It requires premium fuel.

The 2010 BMW 5-Series comes in four-door sedan or wagon body styles. Sedan trims include the 528i, 535i, and 550i. A performance-oriented M5 trim is also available. Later in the year, a Grand Touring version similar to the BMW X6 will appear.

• "The 5 Series remains a truly sporting sedan that stands out in the fiercely competitive market for mid-sized luxury cars. This car has just about everything you could ask for in a luxury sedan, including the features, comfort and convenience of full-size luxury models, the sporting character of smaller ones, and a good compromise between interior space and physical bulk. those who put driving satisfaction first should put the 5 Series near the top of their test-drive list." -- New Car Test Drive
• "It's risqué with just the right amount of elegance and powerful with just the right amount of control." -- Mother Proof
• "The 5-Series bristles with technology, but not all of it is beneficial. Active Steering is a love/hate affair, and the iDrive control center can be downright confounding. But Active Roll Stabilization is truly useful, and helps BMW maintain the 5-Series' world-class handling without compromising its admirable ride quality. Overall, these premium cars are well worth your consideration." -- Consumer Guide
• "BMWs have long set the standard for sports sedans, and while a handful of competitors have encroached on their territory, the 5-series sedan, and the 535i in particular, is one of the benchmarks against which others in this class are judged." -- Kansas City Star
• BMWs "have been the benchmark for so long that the cars themselves seem to exude arrogance." -- Car and Driver
• "It is plush, the motorized equivalent of an exclusive condominium. It is prestigious." -- Washington Post
• "The last-generation 5-Series had outstanding steering, handling and braking, with a supple ride. The new-generation version, which has nearly 50-50 weight distribution, is even better. ... Despite more adventuresome styling, the new 5-Series should do well. It's more fun to drive than ever, and driving fun has helped sell a lot of 5-Series models." -- MSN

5-Series Performance - 9.7 (Excellent)

The best reason to buy a 2010 5-Series is its road-hugging, perfectly balanced handling. "If you can find a premium luxury sedan with better ride and handling," the Washington Post says, "buy it." Three available engines allow buyers to choose whether they want a commuter car that's occasionally fun on a winding road, or something with extraordinary linear acceleration. The 5 also offers a manual transmission -- increasingly a rare sight at this price point. Read More

5-Series Exterior - NA

When the look of the current 5-Series debuted in 2008, the press was divided on its merits. Today, most reviewers seem to have decided they like the look of the 2010 5-Series, with its sleek jeweled headlights and deep character lines running the length of the body -- though the oddly proportioned trunk still bothers some.   Read More

5-Series Interior - 8.8 (Very Good)

BMW cabins can appear sparse for luxury cars, boasting fewer standard features and less storage space than some more comfort-oriented rivals like the Lexus GS. But the 5-Series' cockpit is built of luxurious materials, and fit and finish is excellent. Reviewers are split over BMW's iDrive controller, which can make it difficult to adjust climate and entertainment functions. "The 5-Series bristles with technology, but not all of it is beneficial," Consumer Guide warns. "The iDrive control center can be downright confounding." Read More

5-Series Safety - 8.6 (Very Good)

The 2010 BMW 5-Series receives unusually mixed results in government crash testing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not tested the 2010 model, but saw similarly mixed results in tests of the mechanically similar 2009 5-Series. Read More

5-Series Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)

The 2010 BMW 5-Series reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 5-Series comes with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty. BMW covers certain maintenance items for the entire warranty period. Read More