2016 BMW 5 Series Quick Spin

Within the annals of automobiledom, there are certain cars blessed with icon status. These are cars every thinking person agrees are the best in class, and further, they have been so good for so long, they are the de facto benchmarks in their category. The BMW 5 Series sedan is just such a motorcar. While the current iteration is considerably more luxurious than its forebears, the BMW 5 Series still stands head and shoulders above every other car in its category. For 2016, BMW 5 Series pricing starts at $51,195.

What’s New For 2016?

Changes for the 2016 models include the adoption of 18-inch wheels, along with enhanced USB and Bluetooth as standard equipment across the lineup. A power trunklid is now standard for 550i models, as is satellite radio with a one-year subscription. A Harman Kardon surround sound audio system has also made the list of 550i standards. The ActiveHybrid 5 and the 5 Series Gran Turismo get steering wheel mounted transmission shift paddles, and BMW has finally seen the light (or the dirt—as it were) prescribing black carpeting for cars with beige interiors—replacing the all too easily soiled beige carpeting.

Exterior Design

The last styling refresh for the BMW 5 Series came in 2014. With an all-new model about a year or so away, this will likely be the last update for this version of the car. Back in ’14, the styling team freshened the front end with a slight redesign of the grille surround and lower air intakes. They also added a crease to the rear apron to better accentuate the width of the car’s rear end. This made the car look more hunkered to the ground, too. For additional detail, the license plate well got a new garnish and a chrome strip to add some brightwork. Those who pay strict attention to detail will note the turn signal repeaters were integrated into the exterior rearview mirror housings.

Interior Features

At first glance, one could well look around the interior of the 2016 BMW 5 Series and think it rather plain by modern luxury car standards. BMW tends to avoid frilly detailing. However, upon closer examination, the outstanding attention to detail and the subtle way it is expressed reveals the 5 Series’ interior to be one of the finest on the road. Lest one loses sight of the fact a BMW is first and foremost about the act of driving, the simple layout of the interior is crafted specifically to free the driver of distractions. Intuitive functioning is the name of the game here.

Trim Packages

The BMW 5 Series lineup is comprised of five trim levels, corresponding primarily to engine choice. These are the $51,195 528i, the $56,845 535i, the $58,345 535d, the $67,295 550i, and the $63,095 ActiveHybrid5. Each can be had with all-wheel drive for an additional $2,300. The ActiveHybrid5 is rear drive only. There is also a four-door hatchback version of the BMW 5 Series—called the 5 Series Gran Turismo. Offered in 535i and 550i trim, for $61,895 and $73,495, respectively; the 5 Series GT is also offered with all-wheel drive, but only in 535i trim, for $64,195.

Comfort & Cargo Capacity

Performance potential aside, this is also a nicely equipped luxury car. Standard features, regardless of engine choice, include 18-inch wheels, smart xenon headlights, LED foglights, smart brake lights, smart windshield wipers, heated exterior mirrors, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting strips, power adjustable front seats, and BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which features navigation, Bluetooth, a 10.2-inch widescreen monitor capable of dual displays, and a 10-speaker audio system. Every seating position in the 5 Series offers outstanding comfort and support, save the center rear position. The transmission tunnel forces splayed legs for this seat. The trunk’s cargo capacity is 14 cubic feet.

Safety Features

Firmly at the forefront of technological prowess, the BMW 5 Series offers a robust suite of contemporary driver assistance features as part of the $1,700 Driver Assistance Plus package. These include blind spot warning, lane departure warning, forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, and a side- and top-view camera system. The standard safety package includes stability control and traction control, ABS, a full complement of airbags, and active front head restraints. On the performance side of the equation, the braking system uses the pads to wipe the brake rotors when driving in wet conditions and it automatically moves the brake pads closer to the rotors when you abruptly lift off the throttle in anticipation of an emergency braking situation.

Engines

The 2016 BMW 5 Series boasts a suite of five exceptionally smooth and sophisticated powerplants. The 528i engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four with 240 horsepower and 260 ft-lbs of torque. The 535i runs a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with 300 horsepower and 300 ft-lbs of torque. The 535d uses a turbocharged diesel displacing 3.0 liters and generating 255 horsepower along with 413 ft-lbs of torque. The 550i gets two turbos and makes 445 horsepower and 480 ft-lbs of torque from 4.4 liters. The ActiveHybrid5 combines an electric motor with turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six to make 335 horsepower and 332 ft-lbs of torque. All use eight-speed automatic transmissions, and all can be had with all-wheel drive (save the hybrid).

Performance

The word "sublime' could have been coined specifically for the 5 Series BMW. The current generation emphasizes comfort a bit more than in the past, but it still displays a willingness to cooperate in high performance situations, while also providing a smooth and comfortable ride. Regardless of engine choice, you’ll find outstanding flexibility and strong pulling power. In fact, the four-cylinder turbo is so robust, we thought it was a six the first time we drove a BMW fitted with it. This is an exceptional line of automobiles.

Pros & Cons

Brilliant engines, commendable fuel economy, exceptionally well equipped, beautifully crafted and handsomely styled—both inside and out.

Trunk could be more generous, some decry the luxury focus over outright performance capabilities, and the fuel-saving automatic stop/start system is uncharacteristically intrusive.