2021 BMW 5 Series in-depth review - the most complete car you can buy?

2021 BMW 5 Series Touring review: carbyr.uk/3vOXgsG
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The BMW 5 Series is now in its fifth-generation and a facelifted version has arrived with updated styling and upgraded technology. The 5 Series saloon and Touring offer a luxury interior, impressive practicality, a diverse range of engines and both are great to drive, but is this enough to tempt buyers away from an SUV? Richard Ingram puts the latest 5 Series through its paces to deliver the Carbuyer verdict.
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Every week, Carbuyer's KZbin channel brings you simple and entertaining reviews on every major make and model that's available for sale in the UK. Plus you'll find frequently-updated top 10 features and the occasional group test for good measure. If you want even more helpful information, head over to Carbuyer.co.uk where you'll find in-depth reviews of more than 500 cars, alongside the best buying advice and dozens of features helping you to narrow down your car buying shortlist.

[@neiljoseph904]

Great review, Car Buyer team! The 5 series estate is the perfect wagon

[@carbuyer]

Thanks Neil!

[@WillBrownCars]

Love these reviews! Videos like this inspire me to do some on my own channel!

[@carbuyer]

Thanks Will. Go for it - what've you got to lose?

[@ExiledExia]

5 serie is one of the best in its class.

[@carbuyer]

Can't disagree with you on that!

[@kienfung3045]

Yes and together with the Benz E class. And i would not even consider the FrAudi a6 🤢

[@smwatson1512]

5 series touring is the most complete car you can buy, and all the car basically anyone would ever need. 530d is the pinnacle.

[@carbuyer]

Can't argue with that. Performance and economy - a winning combination!

[@creatineenjoyer7345]

Yeah but have you seen the price

[@manoz6194]

hoping to get one as my first car!!

[@bermouda]

I have a 520d and think to myself, how Amazing the 530d Xdrive would be.. 😍

[@mnnh1]

X drive is a must-RWD Will get found wanting in the snow

[@sirjosephwhitworth9415]

I get high 50s mpg on a reasonably long journey from a '23 plate 520i Touring as in the review, and in Germany 61.5 was not unusual, even around town 40s are usual. Astonishing!

[@bimmerpartsdirect5944]

Great review!

[@carbuyer]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@sans6956]

Great review 👍

[@carbuyer]

Thanks! 👍

[@jonathanbender4691]

Great review.

[@carbuyer]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

The grille is not too big. Its looking very nice.

[@jamieclarke687]

in the title, you should've put 2021 BMW 5-Series Touring in-depth review. A nice video though and waiting for next review.

[@carbuyer]

Thanks Jamie. This video was designed as more of an overview of the facelift model, rather than focusing specifically on the Touring version. Hopefully that came across in the film.

[@ianmowbray3284]

I have a g30 530d it can give many hot hatch a run for the money 620nm.

[@mrmawibo]

Informative! Move the headrest up next time. It's meant to protect your head, not your neck.

[@964tractorboy]

Good review. It makes a great daily though I replaced the run-flats with Michelin PS4 (and added a spare).

[@carbuyer]

Interesting! And the ride is better as a result?

[@964tractorboy]

@@carbuyer Yes, but more importantly (for me) it cured the run-flat trait of needing continuous course-correction at high-speed. Now it tracks as straight as an arrow. "Just like a bought one"! One reason no doubt why no M-car is supplied on run-flats.

[@AlanTPT]

The m sport suspension is absolutely uncomfortable and smaller wheels with non run flats don’t help either. Get the adaptive version or SE…..

[@carbuyer]

We agree, the ride is one of the few areas that could do with some improvement...

[@georgedowns4034]

I have to agree with you on this. This and the Skoda Superb have to be properly the 2 most complete cars you can buy. The Skoda is more practical and better value while the 5 Series is better to drive and more luxurious. I am also confident that most people will find this attractive for a BMW unlike the latest 4 Series or iX. But anyway great review 👍

[@SDK2006b]

The VW Arteon Shooting Brake also looks a very good all rounder, especially in R spec with 4WD for about £40k

[@georgedowns4034]

@@SDK2006b true that also is a great car though not quite as practical. But sleeker...

[@carbuyer]

Well said! Oh we do love a Skoda Superb...

[@novainvicta]

I’ve bought the 2020 LCI upgraded car in SE trim and a saloon. I had the first version in 2017. You missed the addition of part electric seats with lumber support but the one thing BMW should fit as standard on a £ 40K car is an electronic opening & closing boot and shame on them for making this part of an expensive pack. The car also doesn’t come standard with split folding rear seats which again should be standard.

[@carbuyer]

Thanks for the insight, Jeff. Always good to get real-user experience! Apart from those few niggles, we hope you're enjoying your new(ish!) car.

[@stevenkaye9829]

Has the CD player gone now? It may be a little thing but I still like to have one.

[@jsong21]

I own one. Its the perfect sedan ever made and I even owbed the prefious F10 gen.. but its boring bc its so good.

[@conmichael7525]

No stupid grill, love it

[@carbuyer]

It's bigger than the old one!

[@conmichael7525]

@@carbuyer I agree thankful it's not like the 4 series though.

[@afterace]

540d estate is the best daily car ever

[@davidhuysmans67]

540i is still available on the continent. :-)

[@carbuyer]

Lucky you! Still, we get plenty of choice - from 520i to M550i!

[@CarlWeakAss7]

Wtf America idk how people don’t like wagons here. Maybe because I somewhat grew up in Germany I have different taste but I’m mad we don’t have them here.

[@RadioactiveSaddam]

It was a thing untill early 80's -thenthe marked died out.

[@bosst6013]

I wish BMW would make a BMW M5 Touring

[@carbuyer]

Oh yes! There's an M3 Touring on the way, so we live in hope!

[@altaysolar8012]

I do not get why Europeans get premium cars in station wagon version , it kills all the excitement in the looks

[@georgedowns4034]

Because practical, luxury estates are a great combination

[@xxz1434]

Because they are marketed differently in the USA, in America, you pretend they are special-import exotic European super duper driving machines while in Europe they are treated as premium general all-purpose vehicles, there are many BMW estate police cars in the UK and other countries in Europe.

[@stefanvlasceanu6261]

Hii sir!Do you think that in the future cars with gasoline and diesel engines will disappear from their production? I don't want that at all! Please no!😭😭😪😢

[@georgedowns4034]

I know I ain't Rich but yeah they ultimately will do. It'll take time though...

[@stefanvlasceanu6261]

Please answet @Carbuyer

[@dragosdinescu2702]

What happened to this channel? The reviews are and always been great but the views have been slowly declining. You guys have got to beat the youtube algorithm!

[@carbuyer]

You can help! If you keep liking and commenting then the videos will surface in more feeds. Let's beat the algorithm - together! Thank you, Dragos.

[@johnwiffen6655]

Keep buying tyres and rims. Just sold my 530d too expensive to run

[@DoLus88]

Maybe 520d is cheaper?

[@sulmanali3115]

Please review 740i

[@carbuyer]

We've already reviewed the revised 7 Series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYSmh3lrbZKmZ7M

[@trupcb]

For my next company car i’m given 2 options: 1) BWW 518d touring, having to pay myself any options i put on it. Or 2) Skoda Superb combi L&K + pretty much every option available. Both sam 150HP diesel engine. I’m clearly leaning for the Skoda at the moment, i’m very impressed after seeing the car in detail! But still somewhat tempted by the 5 series mojo.Apperciate your THOUGHTS! Thx

[@xxz1434]

If you're not planning to put any options on the 5 series, then Skoda. If you are, then the BMW 5 series, the difference is on long journeys the 5 series will be pleasant to be in and you won't be fatigued after driving for so long compared to a Skoda and I don't want to sound materialistic but driving a new BMW will also give a better image to others about your company and position

[@troelsf2581]

Being a Skoda driver for Many years (and by pure choice I might add), it is my honest opinion you won’t get a more practical and value for money car than the Superb. Despite that fact I’m switching to a 5’er touring in 14 days. I’ve got absolutely nothing bad to say about the Superb. It’s all down to me wanting that luxury feel. At the end of the day they are both great cars. If you need an abundance of space in the rear-seats and the boot then go Skoda. If you don’t need to fit a boat in the back and it’s mainly you cruising along - go BMW.

[@trupcb]

Thanks for your thoughts. I must add, despite being a company car, it’s actually more of a bebefit, 99.9% of the use will be personal. I’m pretty much decided for the Skoda as I have the option to upgrade to 190HP 4x4, so becomes a bit of a no brainer really...and yes, with 2 kids and regular travelling the more room the better. Now i just need to decide color 😂🙈

[@JC-jw2kw]

BMW all day long. I've wasted so much time and effort going down the VAG offerings. They are plastic mobiles.

[@mrfordman1585]

was this filmed at rushmoor arena aldershot anyone know

[@carbuyer]

Our secret is out!

[@mrfordman1585]

i know the arena very well they hold wheels day there ,love your car reviews keep up good work 👍👍

[@aficio698]

Best car I have driven - however I can no longer live with run flats. Too many cost options on top of a premium price. Had the misfortune of owning a X2 - what a piece of rubbish. If you can live without the BMW badge there are better cars at significantly less money. Having owned BMW cars for over 20 years I have moved away from the brand. Too expensive, too many cost options and a local dealership exposed 3 times trying to extort money when invoicing for service. Company car yes, private car no.

[@kal1nas]

I can’t unsee this as a cop car even with the black paint 😂

[@SDK2006b]

I went from this 5 Touring to an EV (Polestar 2) and never looked back ⚡️👍🏻

[@rc666]

It would be horrible

[@georgedowns4034]

Both are really good cars but I do think the 5 Series is just a little more complete...

[@SDK2006b]

@@georgedowns4034 - the 5 Series had more space but the Polestar 2 is a much better car. It’s a lot smoother, rides better, has more technology & equipment and is faster .

[@freepadz6241]

There is no way a polestar rides better than the 5 series

[@SDK2006b]

@@freepadz6241 - the Polestar ride is much better. I had a G31 520d M-Sport on standard 18’ wheels for 3 years and compared to the Polestar it crashed over bumps. The run flat tyres certainly didn’t help.

[@MrHejnis]

It looks a bit like a superb from the front?

[@miamitten1123]

No it doesn’t. You’re just use to the big grills and the fact Skoda is German owned too.

[@Carl-yu6uw]

"..Face-lift...gives a breath of fresh air". What?

[@georgedowns4034]

He meant that the facelift helped the 5 to stay fresh against the competition...

[@xxz1434]

Do you not know what facelift means in terms of cars?

[@Carl-yu6uw]

Does it give them a breath of fresh air by any chance?

[@georgedowns4034]

@@Carl-yu6uw obviously not literally a breath of fresh air but gives them a boast so to keep up with the competition...

[@Carl-yu6uw]

@@georgedowns4034 Obviously I'm commenting on the paucity of the narrative in the video. Basically a mixed metaphor from a lazy journo. Top Gear it ain't.

[@danielorozco1728]

Looks horrible as a shooting brake / Saloon.

[@carbuyer]

But not as a Touring estate? We think it looks pretty sleek.

[@georgedowns4034]

I personally would not say horrible but I do definitely prefer the look of the estate. With the saloon, it is almost as if the rear has been cut off a bit- doesn't look complete

[@nitigyasoni4125]

5 series is the best....

[@carbuyer]

It's certainly up there; would you pick one over a Mercedes E-Class then?

[@klaus6578]

@@carbuyer 520d All the way :))

[@zmirac7652]

Why is the wheel on the wrong side

[@carbuyer]

Ironically, the wheel is actually on the RIGHT side. Literally.

[@dave1secondago]

my mate just got a 12 month ban with this model , scary stuff these are

[@MrSnicol]

Yes, it’s a well made out of date dinosaur IMO.

[@carbuyer]

We do think dinosaur is a bit strong, but without a full-electric option its long-standing appeal is limited. We're looking forward to trying the new BMW iX and i4.

[@TravelPOB]

More of Richard please! He’s so hot!!!

[@meantares]

As far as design is concerned, BMW has completely lost it. Their cars look ugly and confused on the road.

[@artonautg6773]

so boring..BMW interior..sack the designer pls!

[@You-are-right-but]

Remember when cars came with nice wheels instead of those dirty looking black and metal look?

[@carbuyer]

All personal preference. We expect if you asked nicely BMW would give you some lovely silver wheels!

[@You-are-right-but]

@@carbuyer i'll try it. Getting a new 3 series. Thanks 🙂