About 5 Series
The 5 Series is the car BMW builds for people who have outgrown the 3 Series but not their love of driving. Introduced in 1972, it defined the sporty executive sedan, a car comfortable enough for long business trips yet sharp enough to enjoy on the way home. Generations such as the E28 and especially the E39 of the late 1990s are still held up by enthusiasts as near-perfect blends of luxury, poise and understated design.
The current generation, launched in 2023, made history by adding a fully electric version, the i5, sold alongside gasoline, diesel and plug-in hybrid models in a near-identical body. A Touring wagon remains popular in Europe, and long-wheelbase versions are built for buyers in China and India, where rear-seat space matters most. Reviewers praise the refinement and the electric model's smoothness, while critics say the cars have grown larger and heavier than many fans would like and that the cabin's screens can overwhelm.
The 5 Series fights the Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6, Genesis G80, Lexus ES and Volvo S90, and in electric form the Mercedes EQE and Tesla Model S. The hybrid-powered M5 sits at the top of the range. The family is expected to adopt Neue Klasse design themes in future updates. This page follows the 5 Series and i5 through launches in new markets, reviews, recalls, pricing and its long rivalry with Mercedes.