BMW 5 Series
23 model years from 2005 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2005–2027
- Class
- Midsize Cars, Compact Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 21–31 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 9 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2011 (15)
- Fewest problems
- 2022
- Interest
- 30,671 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 5 Series in brief
The 2026 BMW 5 Series is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 199 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,158 lb (5-Series 530i Xdrive 4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (28 city / 35 highway), 1% worse than the 2026 midsize car average of 31.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,650 a year in fuel.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
The BMW 5 Series has 23 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2027, classed as Midsize Cars, Compact Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2027 at 31 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 21 to 31 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (17), engine (12), air bags (9).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data.
2010 has the most recalls (7); all years together count 9 campaigns and 52 owner complaints.
How the 2005 5 Series compares
The 2005 BMW 5 Series is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (3.0L 6-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl and 4.4L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 27 highway), 2% better than the 2005 midsize car average of 20.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.
About the BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is an executive car manufactured and marketed by BMW since 1972. It is the successor to the BMW New Class sedans and is currently in its eighth generation. The car is sold as either a sedan or, since 1991, a station wagon. A 5-door fastback was sold between 2009 and 2017. Each successive generation has been given an internal G-code designation since 2017. Previously, a F-code designation was used between 2010 and 2016, while an E-code designation was used between 1972 and 2010. These are used to distinguish each model and generation from each other.
From the Wikipedia article "BMW 5 Series", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 5 Series pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 5 Series
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
None of the 10 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
5 Series changes by model year
- 2025
- New body dimensions: 3.9 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New plug-in hybrid version
- 2024
- No plug-in hybrid version any more
- Engine dropped: 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 28 to 30
- 2022
- Engine added: 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- 2021
- New hybrid version
- Lightest version 174 lb lighter
- 2019
- No diesel version any more
- 2018
- New diesel and plug-in hybrid versions
- Engine dropped: 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 27 to 30
- Lightest version 317 lb heavier
- 2017
- No diesel and hybrid version any more
- Best combined MPG down from 30 to 27
- Lightest version 441 lb lighter
- 2016
- Lightest version 187 lb heavier
- 2014
- New diesel version
- Best combined MPG up from 27 to 30
- 2012
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 25 to 27
- 2011
- New body dimensions: 2.0 in longer, wheelbase +2.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine dropped: 4.8L 8-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 25
- 2010
- Engine added: 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 23 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 199.2 in | 4,158 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 199.2 in | 4,158 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 195.3 in | 4,178 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 195.3 in | 4,178 lb | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 195.3 in | 4,178 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 195.3 in | 4,178 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,550 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 29 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,550 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,550 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 194.5 in | 3,561 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 192.9 in | 4,001 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,814 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,814 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,792 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,792 lb | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
| 2011 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,792 lb | Not rated | 5 | 15 |
| 2010 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.8L 8-cyl | 22 MPG | 190.9 in | 3,505 lb | Not rated | 7 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.8L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | 190.9 in | 3,395 lb | Not rated | 3 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.8L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | 190.9 in | 3,395 lb | Not rated | 3 | 8 |
| 2007 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 3 | 5 |
| 2006 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 3 | 10 |
| 2005 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 2 | 4 |
Alternatives to the 2026 5 Series
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi A6 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Lexus LS | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Tesla Model S | 410 mi | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Porsche Panamera | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →





