BMW 5 Series Touring 530 xDrive Touring 3.0d 265hp M Sport review

With SUVs and crossovers flooding the market, it was starting to look like estate cars had outstayed their welcome.

But the new BMW 5-series Touring is here to change things, apparently. To discover whether or not this is true we’re working our way through the new estate line-up.

Editor Debbie Wood previously drove the 520d, the predicted fleet favourite, but now we’ve got our hands on the more powerful 530d to see how it compares.

Engine and driving

The more powerful four-wheel drive, six-cylinder diesel badged the 530d XDrive that we’re driving is powered by a 265hp unit that emits 144g/km of CO₂ and returns 51.3mpg, but comes at a premium of £2,000 over the 520d model, which has lower emissions of 114g/km and 65.6mpg.

Compared to its rivals, the estate is not at the top of its class in terms of CO₂ efficiency. However, it is a fierce competitor, emitting less than its E-Class rival at 174g/km but more than the Avant and the V90.

BMW’s 5 Series Touring is only available in two trim levels due to BMW wanting to simplify its model range. These include entry level SE and M Sport; we’re driving the latter. The engine line-up for the Touring line-up remains the same as the saloon range, and includes two petrol and three diesel options.

So what sets the 5 Series apart? The answer to that question is simple. Just like the saloon, the difference is how it drives. It has long been regarded as the best car to drive in the sector and the new model definitely takes a step forward in refinement, making it an excellent car to take out on the road.

Mated to all versions of the 5 Series (including the saloon version) is a quick-shifting and smooth eight-speed automatic, one of the best you can buy, although the absence of a manual gearbox may be disappointing for some.

The estate tackles corners with poise and offers loads of grip, and despite its dimensions feels almost as agile as the saloon, while maintaining direct and engaging steering.

There is also very little wind or engine noise, while roar from the tyres is only a problem on coarse surfaces.

Practicality and comfort

The new 5 Series Touring is longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model, while the wheelbase has been extended by 7mm to 2,975mm, increasing space for occupants compared with the saloon and improving comfort levels.

BMW claims that there is enough room for three child seats across the rear seats, highlighting just how spacious the back of the car is. While SUVs might be trespassing on the traditional estate’s territory, the 5 series remains a very practical ? and therefore competitive ? family and business car.

Boot space has been improved with the seats up and at 570 litres is competitive rather than class-leading, coming out on top compared with the Audi A6 Avant and Volvo V90 estate, but trailing behind the Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate at 640 litres. The seats-down load has grown by 30 litres to 1,700 litres, 518 less than the E-Class.

Standard kit on the M Sport includes 18in alloy wheels, LED headlights at the front and a sporty M Sport steering wheel, to name a few. All examples of the 5 Series Touring come with alloy wheels, sat-nav, DAB radio and leather seats as well as lane-keeping assist, a front and rear collision warning detection system, a side-collision warning system and the company’s remote control parking function, which allows the driver to move the vehicle from outside using the key.

While BMW has been fairly restrained when it comes to styling updates on the new Touring range, a larger screen, increased connectivity and (slightly gimmicky) gesture control all feature on the new infotainment system, plus the familiar and intuitive iDrive controller is carried over.

When it comes to the all-important whole-life costs, the residual value of the estate is competitive at 36.6% compared with the Avant, which only reaches 30%, but relatively equal to the E-Class.

Its running costs are also competitive at £105.4p a mile compared to the £107.6p offered by the E-Class, but the Avant and V90 still come out on top here. 

In terms of P11D, the 5 Series is slightly more expensive than its closest rivals, meaning that on paper they ultimately come out on top. Is it worth the extra pocket money? We would still say that the 520d is a better pick for fleets due to its superior efficiency ? but overall, compared to its rivals, this 5 Series Touring makes for tough competition.