BMW 5-Series

The BMW 5-Series mid-size sport sedan has been completely redesigned for 2011, and it's more of a driver’s car than the outgoing 2010 5-Series—or most other mid-size luxury sedans—while still upping the technology ante and not forgetting about the comfort and luxury that matters.

There's no wagon version of the 5-Series model this time around; instead, the striking 5-Series Gran Turismo blends some station wagon and SUV cues into a shape that's not quite sedan or crossover. In the Gran Turismo, the elevated backseat space is excellent—limousine-like by most accounts—and the tailgate can be opened in two different ways. Powertrains for the GranTurismo are essentially the same, but a different suspension setup means it doesn't handle nearly as well as the 5-Series sedan.

Despite being predictably conservative with the 5-Series, BMW has made the new model feel a little sportier and more expressive than the 5-Series it’s replacing. When you take advantage of all of the technical achievements that are available with the Sport Package or as options—you don’t have to drive fast or aggressively to enjoy them—you get a true sport sedan that will greatly satisfy you, your passengers, and your inner tech geek.

Quick Specs

Gas Mileage 22 mpg City/32 mpg Hwy

Engine Gas I6, 3.0L

EPA Class Mid-Size

Style Name Sedan

Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive

Passenger Capacity 5

Passenger Doors 4

Body Style 4dr Car

Transmission 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission -inc: sport & manual shift modes, adaptive transmission control (ATC)

Vehicle

EPA Classification Mid-Size

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score 6

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year 7.5

Number of Passenger Doors 4

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in) 38.0

Front Leg Room (in) 41.4

Second Hip Room (in) - TBD -

Front Hip Room (in) - TBD -

Passenger Volume (ft³) 100.5

Front Shoulder Room (in) 58.3

Second Leg Room (in) 36.1

Second Shoulder Room (in) 56.2

Passenger Capacity 5

Front Head Room (in) 39.1

Exterior Dimensions

Liftover Height (in) - TBD -

Height, Overall (in) 57.6

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 73.2

Length, Overall (in) 193.1

Track Width, Rear (in) 64.1

Wheelbase (in) 116.9

Track Width, Front (in) 63.0

Min Ground Clearance (in) 5.6

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³) 14

Safety

Air Bag-Driver-Front Yes

Air Bag-Passenger-Front Yes

Air Bag-Passenger-Rear (both) No

Air Bag-Passenger Switch (On/Off) Yes

Air Bag-Side-Body-Front Yes

Air Bag-Side-Body-Rear No

Air Bag-Side-Head-Front Yes

Air Bag-Side-Head-Rear Yes

Brakes-ABS-4 Wheel Yes

Brakes-ABS-Rear No

Locks-Child Safety Rear Door Yes

Headlights-Daytime Running lights No

Traction Control Yes

Night Vision No

Rollover Protection System No

Fog Lamps-Front Yes

Parking Aid No

Tire-Pressure Monitoring System Yes

Back-Up Camera No

Electronic Stability Control Yes

Other Features

4-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) -inc: composite...
Dynamic stability control (DSC) -inc: brake fade compensation,...
4-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) -inc: composite...
Dynamic stability control (DSC) -inc: brake fade compensation,...
Front seat side-impact airbags
Interlocking door anchoring system to help protect against door...
Driver & front passenger airbag supplemental restraint system...
Front seat side-impact airbags
Front & rear seat head protection system (HPS)
BMW Assist Safety Plan -inc: (4) years of automatic collision...
BMW's Advanced Safety System for integrated deployment of...
Front safety belts w/automatic pretensioners
Crash sensor that activates battery safety terminal disconnect...
3-point safety belts w/force limiters & head restraints at all...
Front safety belts w/automatic pretensioners
Acoustic safety-belt warning
Active head restraints for driver & front passenger
LATCH attachments on child-restraint safety installation
Child safety rear door locks
Emergency interior trunk release handle
Tire pressure monitor