The 2022 BMW 5-series is essentially the middle child of BMW’s sedan lineup. It’s great if you’re looking for a midsize premium sedan that’s smaller than a full-size 7 Series but larger than a compact 3 Series.
It’s also an alternative to the smaller 4 Series Gran Coupe sedan in case you aren’t a fan of its new, bold grille design. The 2022 BMW 5-series offers lots of luxury and comfort and should impress most buyers even if its styling isn’t the most dynamic of the class.
In the past, the 5 Series was the go-to model for those wanting a top-performing sport sedan, but in recent years the 5 Series has softened up and now focuses more on luxury and tech. As such, the Audi A6, Genesis G80, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class should also be considered because they top the 5 Series in certain categories.
BMW has removed several optional features from the 5-series order sheet for 2022, including the onboard WiFi hotspot, the remote start feature, and wireless smartphone charging.
The Parking Assistance and Executive packages are now only available on the top-spec M550i model, and the Dark Graphite Metallic interior trim is no longer available.
The 2022 BMW 5-series is available in four trim levels, all with different powertrains: the base 530i, the plug-in hybrid 530e, the more powerful 540i, and the M550i performance model. BMW’s all-wheel-drive system called xDrive is optional for the first three trims and standard on the M550i.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Smooth, powerful, and efficient, both the four-cylinder in the 530i and the six-cylinder in the 540i motivate this big sedan with authority. For 2021, the 540i’s powertrain gains a little extra boost, care of a 48-volt hybrid system, which we have not yet tested.
Each pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission that shifts intuitively and quickly, making the most of the available power. The 540i’s six-cylinder is silky smooth and potent, and it makes delightful noises.
Apart from the top-dog M5, which we review separately, the M550i is the athlete of the lineup, with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 under its hood.
In our testing, the M550i sprinted through our acceleration runs quicker than the Audi S6 and Mercedes-AMG E53, hitting 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. All 2022 BMW 5-series models are competent handlers, but they lack the kind of driving verve we expect from BMW.
Steering feedback is light, and the ride—even in the performance-oriented M550i—appears to be tuned more for comfort than pure driving pleasure.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates the four-cylinder 530i will earn up to 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The six-cylinder 540i is rated at up to 25 mpg city and 32 highway. The more powerful V-8 M550i lowers those to 17 mpg city and 25 highway.
All three of the models we tested overachieved in our real-world testing; the 530e delivered 34 mpg while the 540i and M550i did 31 mpg and 28 mpg, respectively. For more information about the 2022 BMW 5-series’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Rich appointments and good design make the cockpit of the 2022 BMW 5-series a civilized space. It’s a noticeable upgrade compared with the somewhat drab cabin of its predecessor. It’s also spacious for rear-seat passengers and features an impressive amount of technology.
We’ve experienced the optional 20-way multi-contour front seats, which adjust in every way imaginable and provide hours of comfort. The standard seats might not be as indulgent, but you can still adjust them in 16 ways.
The BMW’s large trunk space is on par with what its competitors offer, fitting six carry-on suitcases back there. That said, the cabin is lacking in cubbies and storage compartments.
To accommodate the battery pack, the plug-in-hybrid 530e has four fewer cubic feet of trunk space than nonhybrid models and swallow two fewer carry-on suitcases, but at least it retains its folding rear seats, unlike many other hybrids.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A large 12.3-inch high-resolution central display comes standard on every 5-series. You can control it by using BMW’s iDrive rotary knob, tapping the screen, or saying various voice commands.
Additionally, if you shell out for BMW’s Gesture Control option, you can control the system with hand gestures, but we found this to be more gimmicky than useful. All 2022 BMW 5-series models come with a digital gauge display that can be configured to show a variety of information to the driver.
Navigation, a USB port, Bluetooth audio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are all included in the tech suite.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Plenty of driver-assistance features are standard and additional tech is optional, including a navigation-based semi-autonomous driving mode that can even plan for upcoming lane changes based on GPS data.
For more information about the 2022 BMW 5-series crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
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