Despite the growing acceptance of electric cars, and the electric focus to BMW’s executive range, EV sales appear to have stalled. So, it’s a good thing BMW hasn’t totally forgotten about the combustion engine in the 5 Series, as there’s a 208hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol turbo powered 520, with 48-volt mild hybrid technology, that we’ve also driven. However, we were told this car is more of a retail proposition.
Also launched last year were the 299hp 530e and 489hp 550e xDrive plug-in hybrids, with 56 (530e) and 62 miles (550e) of electric range respectively. However, with its £60,000+ starting price, the 530e in M Sport Pro spec is more of a viable plug-in hybrid fleet proposition.
Performance and drive
The 530e is powered by a 208hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol turbo engine, combined with a 19.4kWh battery and an electric motor. The result is 299hp and 295lb ft of torque, and acceleration to 60mph in 5.6 seconds. Yet, despite the performance, it still has a WLTP fuel economy figure of up to 470.8 mpg.
Also, when it comes to charging, the 530e can be charged at up to 7.4kW, which is up on the previous 5 Series plug-in, and the same as key rival the Mercedes E300e. On the move, in EV mode, it can do up to 65 miles on electric power alone. However, in the 530e, the electric motor and battery’s primary use is to make the petrol engine feel peppier – which it does!
More clever, is the way this BMW makes use of its battery power. Set a route via the navigation, and the car works out how best to use its electric performance in and out of town. Then, even when the battery is almost empty, it keeps enough charge for it to operate as a hybrid.
Like the i5 before it, the 530e’s steering is precise – but light, although there’s enough feedback. The handling is tight, demonstrating excellent body control despite missing out on the 550e’s xDrive four-wheel drive system.
Our M Sport Pro test car rode on the biggest 20in wheels, but with the engine in the front, this 5 Series felt the best-balance of all that we’ve driven – with the suspension seeming to be working less hard to mask some road imperfections and keep the excellent body control.
Interior and design
Inside, the 530e gets the same interior, which we think is BMW’s best yet. The latest curved infotainment display – made up of two screens – sits on top of the dashboard. The first display is for the instruments and measures 12.3in, plus the other for the infotainment is 14.9in. The dashboard also features an ‘Interaction Bar,’ just like the 7 Series, which looks like cut glass, changes colour and has touch-sensitive buttons. Like the i5, the 5 Series’ wheelbase has been increased by 20mm to 2,995 and the extra space is most obvious in the back. Boot space is more compromised, but still decent at 410 litres.
Outside, a couple of years since launch, the 5 Series’ styling is aging well, with its sleek and sharp detailing. It suits the thorough de-chrome that’s standard on performance-orientated M Sport equipment grades, although the optionally-lit LED kidney grille stands out too much, in our opinion.
The 530e is available in M Sport and M Sport Pro equipment grades. Fleet demand remains mostly focused on the all-electric i5 eDrive 40 Sport Edition, with its 2% BIK figure and £67,695 starting price. However, if you can’t or won’t go electric, the 530e is an impressive alternative.
Positive: Attractive exterior and interior styling, fun to drive, impressive performance, refinement and comfort
Negative: Expensive, interior tech sometime hard to operate
Standard equipment: 19in alloy wheels, sports seats, LED headlights, power tailgate, digital widescreen display.
Engines: Plug-in hybrid: 299hp
Equipment grades: Sport Edition, M Sport, M Sport Pro
Transmissions: Six-speed automatic
| Model | BMW 530e M Sport Pro |
| P11D | £62,400 |
| Residual value | 40.3% |
| Depreciation | £37,233 |
| Fuel | £6,554 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £4,958 |
| Cost per mile | 81.24p |
| Fuel consumption | 403.9mpg |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 15g/km (8%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £83/£166 |
| Luggage capacity | 410 litres |
| Engine size/power | 1,995cc + electric motor/299hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
