2020 BMW 5-Series Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

In the automotive industry, sophistication is often coveted. For anyone looking for a sedan that is elegant and classy, there is the 2020 BMW 5-Series. It has a spacious interior that has a number of high-end materials, and it's a practical choice because it has a nice amount of cargo room in the trunk. There are many trims available with the 5-Series: four core models, one M sedan, and one plug-in hybrid.

What's New for 2020?

BMW used to offer a diesel 540d model, but that's no longer being produced. There have been a few changes to the hybrid and M models; the M sedan gets a more powerful engine, and the hybrid can now take advantage of a larger battery pack. Other than that, upgrades have been relatively minimal, though they'll still improve the overall quality of the driving experience. For example, the 2020 BMW 5-Series now has a digital gauge display and keyless entry that drivers will quickly be accustomed to using. 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 BMW 5-Series – The Pros

1. Capable Traditional Models

The main options on the 2020 BMW 5-Series are the 530i and 540i sedans. Each of these can come as an xDrive sedan if one wants to have an all-wheel drive vehicle. The 530i models run on 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo engines, and the 540i sedans are powered by larger 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo engines. Not only are the 540i engines larger in term of displacement, but they also have six cylinders compared with the 530i's four cylinders.

Horsepower on the 540i is 335, and torque is 331 pound-feet. This capability translates into being able to go from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in less than five seconds. On the 530i, horsepower is still a very impressive 248, and torque is 258 pound-feet. Acceleration isn't quick as quick on this base model, but it's still pretty zippy. The car can get to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds.

2. A High-Performance Option

The M550i xDrive is available for anyone who wants to feel like he or she is flying down the road. It uses a large V8 engine that has a displacement of 4.4 liters. What's amazing about this engine is that it can generate 523 horsepower and comes with 553 pound-feet of torque. In terms of acceleration, it's hard to find any kind of comparison. Going from zero to 60 mph only takes approximately three and a half seconds.

3. Appeals to Eco-Friendly Consumers

If anyone is worried about leaving a large carbon footprint, the good news is that the 2020 BMW 5-Series comes with a hybrid option. Actually, it has two hybrid options, with one being an all-wheel drive model and the other being a rear-wheel drive version. The 530e and 530e xDrive use both a four-cylinder engine and an AC synchronous electric motor. Estimated MPGe can be up to 69 mpg, so this would be trim to select if there are any concerns about gas consumption.

4. At Least 12 Speakers

Anyone who likes to listen to music will appreciate that the 5-Series comes with at least 12 speakers. The 530i uses a HiFi Sound system that's powered by an amplifier with 205 watts. Higher trims are built with 16 speakers and a 600-watt amplifier. Their Harman Kardon audio systems come with tweeters, mid-range speakers, and bass speakers to round out the sound. These components all work together to deliver a stellar listening experience.

5. High-End Seats

The 2020 BMW 5-Series has enviable front seats. The four core models have 16-way power-operated sport seats that come with lumbar support and side bolsters. The driver's seat has a memory system that makes it easier to put everything into position after someone else has taken the wheel. On the higher trims, the seats are adjustable in 20 different ways, and the front passenger seat has a memory function as well.

6. Set the Mood

With BMW's Extended Ambient Lighting technology, drivers can customize their cabin. There are 11 different light designs, so one can choose the color tone of the lights and the level of illumination. Lights are built into various locations to help with reading, seeing where the footwells are, and grasping the door handles.

7. Headlights Adapt

Long gone are the days when headlights on luxury vehicles only had an on/off function. On the 2020 BMW 5-Series, adaptive LED headlights are standard. These can automatically brighten or dim, depending on how many other vehicles or street lights are detected in the vicinity of the car. What's interesting is that the headlights don't have to be symmetrical. If external lights are only coming at the BMW from one direction, the car's headlights can dim on that side only.

8. Ready for Anything

The Active Protection System on the 2020 BMW 5-Series can sense if an accident is about to happen. If so, the vehicle will start preparing for impact by pretensioning the seat belts, closing the windows, and getting the braking system ready for action.

Further, the Active Driving Assistant suite of features comes with several monitoring systems that can be used to prevent the likelihood of accidents. Driver-assist technology can make it less likely to have a front collision or be part of an accident caused by veering out of a lane or side-swiping another car in a blind spot.

9. Accommodate Larger Items

Depending on the trim level, the BMW 5-Series can have a trunk that has up to 18.7 cubic feet of space. This amount of room would be sufficient for most people in everyday situations, but sometimes, there may be the need to squeeze in a longer item. In this case, the rear center seat can be lowered to create a pass-through from the cabin to the trunk.

10. Touchscreen Measures Over 10 Inches

The touchscreen on the 5-Series is 10.2 inches. This sizable screen makes it easy to see text and navigate the system. In addition to using the touchscreen, people can say a variety of voice commands or use the rotary knob to make adjustments to the system. Having multiple ways of controlling playback, changing settings, or making phone calls can be helpful for drivers who have a lot to keep track of.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 BMW 5-Series – The Cons

1. Pay Extra For Luxuries

The 2020 BMW 5-Series doesn't exactly have a budget-friendly price tag. One might expect that a car that's priced well over $55,000 would have some features that cheaper vehicles have, such as a power tailgate and heated front seats. These features aren't included on the base models, so customers will have to fork over more money if they want these convenient features. When looking at the high-end M550i sedan, there is a similar story. The Premium Package, which includes wireless charging and a head-up display, comes at a cost.

2. Some Infotainment Features Not Standard

While the car has a solid infotainment system, it's a bit limited in certain areas. For instance, the base models have pre-wiring for SiriusXM Radio, but it costs extra to have this technology installed. Notably, Android Auto has been left off the list of technologies that the BMW 5-Series comes with. This decision is bound to leave some smartphone users feeling a bit confused as to why they have to work harder to connect their phones to their BMWs.

3. Feels a Bit Conservative

BMW has describe this car as an executive sedan. That description may not excite everyone, but it doesn't have to. The 5-Series can appeal to a broad sub-set of luxury consumers with its air of maturity. Part of the reason why it feels conservative is its spacious cabin. Anyone who wants something more flashy might consider the 2 or 3 Series or BMW's X4 or X6 models.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

The 2020 BMW 5-Series finds itself matched up against many competitors, such as the Audi A6 and the Acura RLX. The Audi A6 has two powertrains, but neither matches up to the M550i in terms of horsepower. In fact, they don't even get close to what the M550i has to offer. Likewise, the RLX can't match up to the M550i in the performance category. Other advantages the the 5-Series holds over the RLX are that it has Apple CarPlay and a more user-friendly touchscreen.

Conclusion

In the luxury market, it can be difficult to shine since every competitor has so much to offer. The 2020 BMW 5-Series manages to do very well in many categories. First, it's cabin is comfortable for people in both the front and back rows, and it has advanced safety and technology features that everyone will be able to appreciate. Since the BMW 5-Series comes in multiple trims and has a range of powertrain options, there's something for everyone. Those who want to go easy on the budget can opt for the 530i, and at the opposite end, drivers can have a thrilling experience as they get behind the wheel of the M550i. With any trim, BMW's all-wheel drive system - called xDrive - is available.