2026 BMW 5 Series Specs, Features, Changes
2026 BMW 5 Series Specs, Features, Changes – The most recent model of the BMW 5 Series has either completely abandoned combustion engines or, in the UK, removed diesel in favor of an electrified lineup mostly composed of mild and plug-in hybrid power in favor of the all-electric BMW i5. This is a reflection of the times.
It’s unclear if eliminating the diesel option is a smart move because rival vehicles like the Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6 still retain these powertrains, the latter of which comes in both quick six-cylinder and economical four-cylinder variants. Since the previous 5 Series, the executive class has become smaller, and Volvo and Jaguar’s saloon models are no longer available for purchase. The well-equipped Genesis G80 and the fuel-efficient hybrid Lexus ES are also still available.
Table of Contents
2026 BMW 5 Series Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
Comparing the 2026 BMW 5 Series to some of the brand’s most contentious designs, it appears more bloated than the previous generation, although it is still rather constrained. The M Sport Pro standard, which has a deeper, high-gloss black grille surround to make it less noticeable, is an option for anyone who dislikes the size of the grille.
The opulent interior of the most recent 5 Series makes it stand out. It is so good that it seems like it was taken directly from the brand’s far more expensive luxury BMW 7 Series vehicle. The touch-sensitive buttons on what BMW refers to as the interactive bar beneath the main screen require a hard shove to turn on or off, so the interior isn’t perfect.
Although it may not be immediately apparent, the basic Veganza leather is basically a synthetic substitute for genuine leather. However, it still looks fantastic, and real BMW Individual Merino leather would make a big difference. To truly push the boat out, you may replace the gear selection, iDrive wheel, volume dial, and start/stop button with inlays and Crafted Clarity controls.
A head-up display appears on the driver’s windshield when the Technology Pack or Technology Pack Pro is fitted. This display provides useful information such as your speed, the current speed limit, and sat-nav directions, including which lane you should be in.
A widescreen 14.9-inch curved infotainment system that makes advantage of the brand’s newest innovations complements the 12.3-inch digital driver’s instrument cluster. It can be operated by touch, much like the majority of its competitors. However, the iDrive click wheel and a few helpful shortcuts make navigating through its many menus considerably easier when on the go, unlike competitors who have switched to touchscreen-only systems.
An 18-speaker, 655-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system may be added to the standard 12-speaker, 205-watt Harman Kardon sound system, which is more than powerful enough. All models enable Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on smartphones, and there are two wireless charging pads in front of the gear lever.
2026 BMW 5 Series Specs
Engine & Performance
The most recent eighth-generation BMW 5 Series car is known for its exceptional comfort and refinement, while the 2026 model is known for providing an exceptional driving experience. Both models set the benchmark for the class.
Even though the 530e plug-in hybrid, which we have tested so far, weighs a hefty 2,080 kg, the 5 Series performs excellently. Even on twisty B roads, its controlled body motions and quick handling successfully hide its weight. Its suspension, which features air suspension over a multilink setup at the back for plug-in hybrid variants and coil springs up front, constantly looks strained. The regenerative braking technology, which helps gather energy for the battery pack while braking, switches to the brakes almost perfectly, and the mechanical brakes on the 5 Series are more than capable of stopping most of the vehicle from high speed.
Its superior body control is somewhat compromised by the absence of the Mercedes E-Class’s comfortable and seamless ride. However, this only occurs at low speeds and when there is any road noise. This vanishes as you accelerate, and the 5 Series turns into a fantastic long-distance cruiser with less road noise and wind to distract you.
First up is the 520i petrol, which has a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 205 horsepower and can reach 62 mph in 7.5 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid can do the same task in 6.3 seconds with 295 horsepower. With a peak speed of 155 mph and a 0-62 mph time of less than 4.3 seconds, the 482 horsepower 550e plug-in hybrid is the best option (at least until the 716 bhp BMW M5 is ready).
The 520i and 550e models have not yet undergone testing, however we will update this area as soon as we can. For the time being, business drivers are probably going to choose the 530e. The PHEV system doesn’t feel as seamless as a BMW i5 since it cuts the line a bit more slowly in e-mode. The 530e can move at city speeds nearly noiselessly and is rather smooth once it’s rolling.
The eight-speed automatic transmission gives you a little bump when the engine begins. It serves as a reminder that you have access to the entire system’s 400 Nm and 295 horsepower, but it’s not that bad. Thanks to the combined efforts of its electric motor and 2.0-liter gasoline engine, this 5 Series model weighing more than 2,000 kg accelerates astonishingly rapidly. The quiet roar of the engine signals its presence. It has more than enough power for normal driving, so you won’t need to accelerate.
2026 BMW 5 Series Fuel Economy
The 2026 BMW 5 Series has competitive fuel economy when compared to its competitors. The standard 520i petrol engine performs better than its Mercedes E-Class counterpart, with up to 48.7 mpg and 132 g/km of pollutants. Even with routine charging, you won’t obtain nearly as much fuel economy as the 530e’s claimed 470.8 mpg or the 550e’s rated 353.1 mpg, according to our testing of plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The only car that can manage many highway miles is the Mercedes E-Class, which still comes in a 220d variant that can achieve over 55 mpg or a powerful 450d that can average over 45 mpg. The diesel-powered 5 Series is no longer available in the UK. Every 5 Series vehicle has a large 60-liter fuel tank.
Thanks to a 22.1kWh battery pack (19kWh usable), the 2026 BMW 5 Series plug-in hybrid models 530e and 550e have a range of around 63 miles for the 530e and 56 miles for the 550e. A flat battery should be charged in around 3.5 hours using a typical 7.4kW home wallbox charger.
The comparable Mercedes E-Class plug-in hybrid has a 70-mile electric range and a bigger 25.4kWh usable battery. With a 10-80% top-up time of around 20 minutes, the E-Class can also be charged quickly; nevertheless, this is a costly method of operating a plug-in hybrid.
2026 BMW 5 Series Safety Features
Although the 2026 BMW 5 Series is not yet included in our Driver Power rankings, the most recent data from 2023 indicates that the BMW brand dropped from 16th out of 32 manufacturers in 2022 to 21st out of 32. It’s concerning that younger businesses, like Tesla, which came in third, are performing far better. I’m hoping this trend may be reversed by a new automobile line like the BMW i5.
Even if the owners of the previous generation liked the inside of the 5 Series, we believe that the materials used in the most current model have significantly improved.
Given that safety specialists Euro NCAP gave the 5 Series a maximum rating of five stars in 2023, it should be an extremely safe vehicle. Its inability to detect if there were kids in the backseat or monitor the driver’s level of focus drew criticism. Driver attention alert systems shouldn’t deter you from purchasing a 5 Series since we’d like to assume that parents would notice when their kids are in the back of the vehicle and because we’ve found that they can be fairly annoying.
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- eCall
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assistance
2026 BMW 5 Series Release Date & Price
With 205 horsepower, the mild hybrid 520i, the initial model in the 5 range, is more than capable of satisfying the demands of the majority of buyers. The base price is little over £51,000, which is much less than the lowest price of just under £59,500 for the PHEV 530e. With a bigger 3.0-liter straight-six engine that generates 483 horsepower, the range-topping 550e xDrive costs just over £76,500.
The only remaining trims are M Sport and M Sport Pro. The more expensive visual upgrades for the latter include a boot spoiler, larger wheels, M Sport seat belt colors, and an illuminated grille surround. We believe that the basic M Sport is the best option since it has amenities like 19-inch wheels, adaptive LED lighting, Harman Kardon audio, veganza fake leather upholstery, dual-zone temperature control, a rear camera, and sat-nav.
Conclusion
Once again, the 2026 BMW 5 Series is a powerful all-around car. Its interior is comfortable and opulent, and it has few problems. It’s fun to drive too. A significant drawback of the genuinely remarkable all-electric BMW i5 is that it costs a little more than the plug-in hybrid variants, which makes them a better option for business travel. The substantial price difference between the 530e plug-in hybrid and the 520i gasoline is something we don’t believe individual buyers would be ready to pay.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
