BMW 5 Series Touring estate - Engines, drive & performance

The latest BMW 5 Series Touring is one of the best estate cars to drive on the market

Carbuyer Rating

4.8 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Engines, drive & performance Rating

5.0 out of 5

​​BMW has a reputation for producing excellent driver’s cars, and many buyers looking at the 5 Series Touring will be hoping for a practical family car that’s also good fun on the open road. Fortunately, while the 5 Series does feel bigger than ever, the weight reduction that has aided fuel economy has also helped it retain an agile feel. Driving the 5 Series Touring on twisty country roads shows how capable it is in corners, with minimal body roll and direct steering.

As part of the 2021 update, mild-hybrid electrical assistance was added to every standard petrol and diesel engine in the 5 Series Touring range.

Where the 5 Series Touring really impresses is in giving this impressive sense of control without compromising ride quality. Even when big 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels are fitted, potholes are shrugged off without sending shockwaves through the car's structure. The ride is well judged, ironing bumps out of the road without giving rise to nausea-inducing floatiness.

It’s a shame the 530d is no longer available, because the turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine is punchy, smooth and economical. The six-cylinder engine boasts colossal pulling power from low in the rev range, making its rapid acceleration feel effortless as the eight-speed auto box operates smoothly in the background.

Despite its size, the 530d can cater to keen drivers. The xDrive four-wheel drive gives it a secure and grippy feel on the road at all speeds, and the responsive steering setup is smooth and nicely weighted. When cornering, the chassis is composed and resists body lean. Switching into Sport mode sharpens the car’s steering, throttle and suspension further still but the car is best left in Comfort mode, which better suits its relaxing driving experience.

BMW 5 Series Touring diesel engines

The 520d has a four-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces 187bhp and it can get from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds. BMW no longer offers the more powerful 530d, which used a six-cylinder 3.0-litre diesel with 282bhp and has significantly more pulling power, getting from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds.

Petrol engines

The 520i costs slightly less than the 520d and is powered by a four-cylinder engine producing 181bhp. Its performance is slightly behind the entry-level diesel, taking 8.3 seconds from 0-62mph. A more powerful six-cylinder 3.0-litre 540i tops the petrol range, developing 328bhp. It features BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive and is capable of 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds, making it the fastest 5 Series Touring offered.

Hybrid engines

The hybrid 530e produces a total of 288bhp from its four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor combination. It’s available in rear-wheel drive or with xDrive four-wheel drive form, and is officially capable of 32-35 miles of pure-electric running from a fully charged battery. Regardless of which drivetrain you pick, the 530e Touring manages 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds.

The 5 Series Touring comes with a slick eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard and the ability to switch between three driving modes comprising Comfort, Eco Pro and Sport, which adjust the suspension (if the optional adaptive dampers are fitted), gearbox and steering to match how you want the car to behave.

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    520i MHT SE 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £44,415

Most Economical

  • Name
    530e SE 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £55,195

Fastest

  • Name
    540i xDrive MHT SE 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £57,765

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Recommended

Top 10 best used family cars 2023
The best used family cars hero
Best cars
29 Nov 2023

Top 10 best used family cars 2023

BMW 5 Series and i5 go on sale, cost from £51k
BMW i5 reveal
News
24 Oct 2023

BMW 5 Series and i5 go on sale, cost from £51k

Luggage-swallowing BMW 5 Series Touring confirmed for 2024
BMW 5 Series Touring teaser
News
18 Oct 2023

Luggage-swallowing BMW 5 Series Touring confirmed for 2024

Top 10 best family cars 2023
Best family cars 2023
Best cars
13 Oct 2023

Top 10 best family cars 2023

Have You Considered

Peugeot E-308 SW review - the best electric estate?
Peugeot E-308 SW dynamic
In-depth reviews
1 Dec 2023

Peugeot E-308 SW review - the best electric estate?

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports estate review
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports estate rear 3/4
In-depth reviews
7 Nov 2023

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports estate review

Most Popular

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light
Engine warning light
Tips and advice
1 Dec 2023

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
8 Dec 2023

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers

Top 10 best cars under £200 per month 2023/2024
Best cars for 200 per month
Best cars
28 Nov 2023

Top 10 best cars under £200 per month 2023/2024

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
20 Apr 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors 2022
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors 2022

Top 10 best electric cars 2023
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
15 Nov 2023

Top 10 best electric cars 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
17 May 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
18 Aug 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023