The BMW 5-Series has always been an important staple in the brand’s line-up, serving as the entry into its luxury vehicles. It’s a true automotive great. However, when most people think of the 5-Series, they probably picture one of the high-end models, like the 540i xDrive, one of the new all-electric i5s, or the daddy of the family – the M5.
We were intrigued to see what the G60-series is like in its most basic form, the 520i, and recently had the opportunity to slide behind the wheel. Is this the best bang-for-your-buck model in the 5-Series range? Or does it just feel like a slightly larger 3-Series? As it turns out, it’s a bit of both.
QUICK FACTS
A Big Sedan Without Big Power
Many keyboard warriors have derided the fact for a sedan this big, the 520i ‘only’ comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a mild-hybrid system. The engine alone is good for 188 hp (140 kW) and 310 Nm (229 lb-ft) of torque – not particularly impressive for a high-end car like this. Add in the power from the electric motor, and you get a combined 205 hp (153 kW) and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft).
Buyers do have other engine options to choose from across the 5-Series range, although that does vary quite a lot depending on the market. Other options include the 255 hp (187 kW) 530i, the plug-in hybrid 530 xDrive with 295 hp (217 kW), and the 375 hp (276 kW) 540i xDrive. The 5-Series family is a little smaller in Australia.
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Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
In fact, the 520i and the all-conquering M5 are the only versions offered with a petrol engine. There’s then just a single diesel mild-hybrid on offer. It takes the form of the 540d xDrive with a combined 299 hp (223 kW) and 670 Nm (494 lb-ft). Two electric i5s are available, consisting of the 335 hp (250 kW) i5 eDrive40 and the 593 hp (442 kW) i5 M60 xDrive.
Aussie pricing for the 520i xDrive starts at AU$114,900 (~$71,400), and all local variants come with the M Sport package as standard. Our tester also had optional 21-inch wheels as part of the AU$4,154 (~$2,300) Enhancement Package that also adds a new Bowers & Wilkins audio system, bringing its price closer to AU$135,000 (~$84,000) after all the local duties, fees, and taxes included.
Is The Cabin Fitting Of The Price?
The cabin of the 520i has some beautifully plush and high-quality materials, but some areas feel a little cheap.
The girthy flat-bottom steering wheel is one of the positives. It’s trimmed in soft leather and is brilliantly sized. Some of the buttons are a little fiddly, but they don’t take long to become familiar with. A pair of beautiful screens also come standard, consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 14.9-inch curved infotainment system.
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
BMW’s iDrive system has copped some flack over the years, but in the 520i, it’s very good. Regardless of what screen you’re on, a shortcut bar sits at the base of the display, offering immediate access to things like climate control, seat heating, multi-media, navigation, and smartphone connectivity. The screen is also very responsive and doesn’t suffer from any lag.
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
The front seats sit nice and low in the cabin, helping the 5-Series feel slightly smaller than it actually is. On long road trips, the seats are relatively comfortable, but they are not as supple as I’d hoped. The adjustable lumbar support is also extraordinarily weak and difficult to feel.
Positioned below the main screen are some climate control shortcuts and the hidden air vents. These vents are quite unusual. Rather than having a toggle on the vent itself, little black rubber directional toggles are positioned a couple of inches below the vents. While they work, they don’t feel natural to use, nor do they offer any advantage over adjustments on the actual vent like most other cars on the market.
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A wireless smartphone charger comes standard, while the iDrive controller and gear selector are situated in a piano black-clad area of the center console. Some buyers may also disappointed by the amount of hard plastic towards the base of the dashboard and the door panels. It’s also a little odd the main speaker grilles towards the base of the front doors are finished in plastic, while other speaker grilles, including those at the rear, are finished in metal.
Space in the second row is more than adequate, with plenty of headroom and legroom. A pair of USB-C ports and two air vents are found in the rear. It’s possible to add adjustable climate control at the rear as part of the AU$4,385 (~$2,370) package but alas, our tester didn’t have this option. There’s a large panoramic glass roof as standard on all 520i models. It helps bring in some extra light in the cabin but has a wafer-thin sliding cover that reeks of cost savings.
I spent more than 1,600 km (~1,000 miles) behind the wheel of the 520i, testing it in several different environments and road surfaces. One of the most impressive things was the car’s efficiency.
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
A Smooth Operator
Although the 520i is quite big, it’s not as heavy as you may think, tipping the scales at 1,725 kg (3,802 lbs). Combined with the frugal 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, we averaged 6.5 l/100 km (36.1 US mpg) during our time with it, beating the claim of 6.8 l/100 km (34.5 US mpg) over the combined cycle. On some multi-hour highway stints, fuel consumption was just 6.1 l/100 km (38.5 US mpg).
While the 2.0-liter is efficient, it’s not particularly engaging or exciting. Given the relative lack of power, it takes the 520i around 8 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph). The left paddle shifter can activate a Boost mode, aiding in overtaking and making the engine feel a little more hearty. Even still, this is not the type of engine – or car – designed to thrill. It’s designed to cruise, and it does that very well.
The mild-hybrid system intelligently shuts off the engine when it isn’t needed, like when you’re slowing down at an intersection or crawling around a parking lot. It does a brilliant job of this, and it’s often impossible to notice when the engine is on and when it’s not.
All 520i models sold in Australia come standard with BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional, which includes active cruise control with Stop&Go, steering and lane control assistant, traffic light detection, and lane keeping assistant. I was particularly impressed with how well the lane-keeping system worked.
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Usually, systems like this require clearly defined lane markings on both sides of the car. However, while driving on paved single-lane highways with just a center line and dirt off to the side, the 5-Series was able to center itself in the lane and handle all the steering – quite an impressive feat. Adding to the serene driving experience is excellent sound absorption and very little tire or wind noise.
The ride quality is a mixed bag. At highway speeds, the 5-Series does a good job of smoothing out road imperfections, but if the road is particularly bad, it feels unsettled. This is particularly apparent when driving at low speeds. We found it surprisingly firm and certainly not as plush as we expected.
Verdict
The 2024 BMW 520i is a solid all-rounder. Yes, it does not have all that much grunt, but there’s enough for the vast majority of driving scenarios – as long as you don’t plan on thumping down the Autobahn. It’s good in the city and great on the open road. However, the cabin doesn’t feel more premium than the 3-Series and does have some surfaces that feel cheap.
So, in the end, it kind of comes off as a compromise, which is not that surprising given that it’s the entry-level version. Nevertheless, it comes with a steep entry price, too. If you’re OK with all that, then you won’t be disappointed. If not, you may be left clamoring for one of the more upscale variants of the 5-Series.
