BMW 530e 2021 review | PHEV, V8 or diesel 5 Series? We know what we’d do | Chasing Cars

We test the new BMW 5 Series plug-in hybrid and see whether this luxury sedan is worth it.
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For a car that sells in relatively small numbers in Australia, the BMW 5 Series is available in so many varieties. There are petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options, with the 2021 530e reviewed here falling in the middle of the price range. The six-cylinder 530d diesel is popular as a highway patrol police car in Australia, while subscribers know how fond editor Tom Baker is of the G30 M550i V8 petrol.
But is the 530e PHEV, which has a two-litre petrol engine and about 40km of all-electric range, the best option here in Australia? We aren’t so sure.
Rivals to the BMW 5 Series include the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, Jaguar XF and Lexus ES.
What do you think of the new 5 Series? Leave a comment below.
While you’re there, please consider subscribing and joining our Chasing Cars community.
Time codes:
0:00 - What is the BMW 5 Series?
1:40 - Interior
4:29 - Back seats
5:25 - Boot space
6:48 - Running costs
9:11 - Charging and electric range
10:38 - How does the 530e drive?
17:34 - BMW 5 Series verdict

[@chasingcars]

We’d spend a bit more and jump into the diesel 530d or the V8 M550i while you still can - but that would sort of defeat the purpose of the whole minimising-your-CO2 thing.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

The planet has far bigger pressures than your or my measly CO2 output. My right foot wants the V8, my wallet wants the Diesel and my common sense says buy Korean...

[@krugmeup2162]

Lol and I give a F about carbon dioxide. Check out China and India. Love the V8

[@dwade3202]

yeah idk if the government is crazy or is there some other agenda, because me driving a fuckin EV means jack shit in terms of the whole planet but hey.. this world has gone mad

[@krugmeup2162]

@@dwade3202 exactly

[@EzzaLeo]

I'm definitely not the market for this car, so it's the M550i for me without question. That said, if I was to get an EV, it still wouldn't be this but the upcoming i4.

[@andersthorstensson4347]

Surpassed 3000km yesterday since the last fueling on my 530e Xdrive Touring. When it fits your driving, it's really good! At longer drives it takes 5,5l/100km, full battery from start and 400km driven.

[@manoz6194]

I rented one and never charged it through the plug. Did 1200 miles and averaged 47.1 mpg (uk), impressive. The regen is amazing. Best car I've ever driven, didn't want to give it back lol

[@flashlabseu]

I've watched several reviews and none was as practical and brilliant as this one. Thank you for thinking out loud different scenarios and use-cases for different users/personalities. This specific review helped me a lot with my decision and explained multiple questions that were bugging me. Thank you!

[@zlatko6951]

I don´t know if i agree with you. I have that car and i have never in my life had better car. It is all you need and more. Beautiful car with a lot of power, comfort and feeling.

[@santillbrezon2161]

Another very good review tom, i really like your channel. Thank you.

[@blakewilson7438]

I love the fact that BMW use a proper eight speed ZF auto in their hybrid vehicles unlike Lexus and Toyota persisting with that ghastly CVT. Another big plus is the electric air conditioner for out hot climate, you don’t have to rely on vehicle speed for A/C performance and the ability to precondition the vehicle

[@mrsteve7175]

Excellent balanced appraisal that explains all the pro's, con's and nuances of a plug-in hybrid. I own a similar E class hybrid and would add that the added refinement of the hybrid powertrain makes it very nice in low speed maneuvers, like parking or creeping in traffic, as there is always enough residual juice in the battery even if you don't charge it up. The major downside for me is that you can always feel the extra weight (around 300kg) of the hybrid powertrain in corners, and the suspension doesn't cope very well with it on bumpy roads. This might be better in the BMW, but you won't be able to hide that weight completely. It's like permanently carrying around two people in the back seat. Also the rear tyres on these plug-in hybrids are an unusual size (and different to the fronts) with a special load rating. They are very expensive and wear out quickly due to the extra weight bearing down on them. This can severely eat into any savings you may make in fuel. I have also found that they are never stocked in garages so if you get a puncture you may be off the road for a few days while they get them in, which happened to me once after a puncture. As this video says, they are a very niche product. Residuals are poor on them as well.

[@ylft]

looking forward to see your review for the i4 Tom

[@keithwalker1458]

Was just about to order this car in the same colour and drove the revised Jaguar F-Pace P400e. 400bhp, fast charging capability & more practicality

[@carcreeps1873]

Hi Tom it’s Cohen, I was wondering if you could do a review on the Suzuki Jimmy GL Lite if you can thank you😊

[@markhankin467]

Owed a 530d x drive and it was fast, comfortable, great to drive and had good economy. Servicing cost were very high but the best car ive had

[@surjitsingh-fj9vd]

Good honest review.

[@iamtuzii]

THANKS FOR THE STICKER!

[@robertcurry6413]

On my BMW 740Le xdrive is 4.7km per kWh. A 9kwh battery gets 34km in the summer & 26km in winter.

[@billybob1511]

I love a map screen with no street names. Reminds me of a $150 GPS unit from JB Hifi!

[@chasingcars]

Undercooked, that's for sure.

[@davidarter9670]

Be practical, Richard. Why on earth would you need a GPS at all when you can only drive it as far as Uncle Dan’s and back on the electric motor.......and you should already know there Uncle Dan’s is!!!

[@goran2009]

For a second I thought it was 3 series… Beautiful car!

[@camh7788]

For the same $ I would take the X5 hybrid . G30 5 series (I own a 530d and love it) are expensive in my opinion when compared to the X5 range

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

PHEV's do make sense. Just not where I live 130km from a charge station, have no garage and my landlord isnt interested in a home charge station.

[@slanahesh]

Yes, they only really make sense for people who live in built up areas with access to charging and driving far beyond the ev only range is a rare occurrence. On the other hand for those long journeys you are not shackled to charging infrastructure so it is better than a pure ev for that if you live somewhere with poor charging infrastructure.

[@sulmanali3115]

Review the 7 Series please...

[@vsboy2577]

Such classy cars

[@davidperry3531]

Good review as usual and a nice car but with that extra weight and modest power I think it is a stretch still calling it a sports saloon. I would pay the extra $17K and get a 550i Pure. It is a pity that BMW Australia do not now sell the Touring or 540i - both great cars. Interesting though that the latest sales figures show that BMW 5 series are outselling Mercedes E Class, so maybe BMW do know what they are doing.

[@mrsteve7175]

I would say that if you are considering a plug-in hybrid then moving up to a 550i isn't going to be on your list of alternatives. More likely a 330d

[@Anonim4ick]

Stage 1 and you will have about 400-410 hp. It's not slow for everyday car.. Even stock with 6 sec 0-100.

[@robertcurry6413]

It’s would be better with a 17-18kwh batter for those of us that drive for a hour each day

[@acde9355]

I will pick the diesel one.

[@hellothere4342]

It feels conflicted,you either go full EV or ICE. Trying to please both worlds seems to add more complications to an already complex car. For me I'd personally choose the 530D.

[@brathersadda9436]

yea but in dk we got 150% fee on all cars so with el cars it go down to 20% and to evs like this somewhere in between

[@DEATHSTARER]

Is it me,or do those alloys look too similar to the i30N?

[@chasingcars]

They do, though the i30 N is about to move to a new dark grey light alloy design.

[@dobyrne8565]

And what about the charging of the battery from the petrol engine…….?

[@NoCommentaryGamer]

You can , there is a mode for that. But fuel consumption goes up to like 13-14 litres/100km. but it charges waaay faster than plug it into a socket at home.

[@robertcurry6413]

And on my 7 series petrol engine gets me 5.7l per 100km

[@v2s2m29]

Can you please review the 430i gran coupe when it comes out?

[@chasingcars]

Absolutely, we will.

[@user-sk9lh5ng9w]

Can you imagine the bush is full of deadliest deadly snakes

[@draghos3810]

Give me the diesel anytime and it should be brought back in the 3 series

[@Michael_Mears]

Hahaha..."tens of people", yes indeed.

[@chasingcars]

No doubt it’s niche, but even niche cars can teach us things. Or, alternatively, they can show us why they’re niche.

[@davidarter9670]

Agreed.... brilliant comment!

[@kodessa]

PHEVs are cool and all, but if I'm minimising my CO2 footprint; I'm not going half way, I'm going the full hog and getting an electric car.

[@tahsin28]

Tht price makes NOO sense

[@rakhsiprayogo82]

Wow so this is full size plug in hybrid sedan

[@chasingcars]

Yes, it is.

[@rakhsiprayogo82]

@@chasingcars Yup The 5 Series is Larger Than a Toyota Camry

[@sunsetlights100]

If we had 100km EV plug in range range would be perfect & less $than pure EV?

[@rakhsiprayogo82]

@@sunsetlights100 Yup The Larger 5 Series is This Plug in Hybrid This Rivals Like a Lexus ES 300h,Audi A6 Hybrid & Mercedes E Class E300e

[@kristians2704]

@@rakhsiprayogo82 do you even understand the question that he asked?

[@geraldoconnor1432]

Drive faster.

[@davidarter9670]

What a car! First, you emit a lot more carbons building a battery powered car than a petrol or Diesel engine, then you have the satisfaction of knowing that you charge your car at home courtesy of the coal fired power station in the Hunter Valley (conveniently forgetting the CO2 emissions power stations emit, of course). Then, you enjoy the macabre privilege of knowing your neighbours experience brown outs at their place while you are charging your “clean” car (fantastic particularly for those neighbours with that barking dog!) but THEN you have the fun of having to throw the batteries out after ten years putting all those wonderful chemicals that power the battery right into landfill, not to mention the utter joy you will receive when you get the $10,000 bill to replace said batteries. Finally, you enjoy the undiluted pleasure of watching grass grow for hours while you are driving it from Sydney to the Gold Coast. Terrific!

[@chasingcars]

Household solar?

[@davidarter9670]

Household solar still requires many precious metals and carbons just to construct it. Then what do you do if you get a week of rain? Don’t drive?

[@redmc3614]

It’s not best in class the A6 is