2017 BMW 5-series review, test drive

What's it like to drive?

The new 5-series will be sold in India in 520d (190hp), 530d (265hp) and 530i (252hp) form; the 530i this time around being a four-cylinder engine.

The 530d tested here came with X-drive or four-wheel drive, and the rear- wheel-drive 540i tested here will only come to India at a later stage. Still, the 530d told us how far the new six-cylinder diesel (B57) has come and the 540i allowed us to experience the new 5 without the heavy and ‘numbing’ four- wheel-drive hardware.   

The 530d initially feels familiar but soon proves to be much more energetic.  With 265hp, 620Nm of torque and a car that’s a 100kg lighter, it has the ability to get up to warp speed as soon as you put your foot down. This is done with a hush and calm that are almost Mercedes-like in nature. In fact, drive the new 5 in its most relaxed setting below 3,000rpm and that is exactly what the car reminds you off: insulation has clearly taken a big step forward.

Engine refinement is much improved too. There is a bit of a growl when you go flat on the throttle and some rattle at high revs, but during normal operation very little engine noise enters the cabin. There’s a nice straight-six snarl as the revs build, and past 4,000rpm the new 5 pulls so well even in the higher reaches of the powerband, you’ll swear it was a petrol. Max revs on the new engine stay the same, an incredible 5,600rpm; only achievable with ‘Manual’ and ‘Sport Plus’ engaged. What an engine.

The 5-series also kills it when it comes to ride. No air springs are used here, but the suspension has the ability to round off bumps so effectively, you’d swear you were riding on nothing but compressed air. It even manages sharp bumps quite well, only larger and deeper holes making it feel a bit ‘clunky’ and lumpy. 

What’s also quite gratifying is that the new 5 even has the ability to shake off its 7-series or Clark Kent disguise. This is more noticeable in the rear-wheel- drive car or the 540i. It’s not quite 3-series sharp, and it’s no acrobat either, but put it in ‘Sport Plus’ and the steering, gearbox and throttle tighten up so nicely, they put a big smile on my face.  

The car now steers with more immediacy, agility is much higher, and, with the rear wheels helping to steer the car more aggressively, the new 5 just shrinks around you, as clichéd as that sounds. It’s a big step up from the current 5- series.

However, what’s unique is that there’s almost a monk-like calm to how it enters and exits corners. There’s a bit of body roll and truth be told a hint of detachment too, but the new 5 feels so sure-footed, you’re always looking for an opportunity to use more ‘right foot’ on the way out of corners. The effect of the rear-wheel steering, however, is all but imperceptible at speed. 

Also on this car is BMW’s latest semi-autonomous driving function. It won’t make it to India, but we did enjoy allowing it to drive on lower-speed sections of the highway, the car even changing lanes and overtaking when you instruct it via the indicators: neat. BMW, unlike some others, however, doesn’t make any lofty claims. The car soon forces you to take over; BMW, it appears, is still more interested in driver-operated cars.