2022 BMW 5 Series

BMW 5 Series 2021-2022 Review

As a mid-sized luxury sedan, the BMW 5 Series has a lot to live up to – both being a champion for the BMW brand, as well as hailing from a long line of vehicles that arguably redefined what consumers expect in this particular segment. Seven generation spanning nearly five decades are both a portfolio and a testament to the strength of the name.

Like every generation of BMW, styling and technology is first defined by the BMW 7 Series, with some elements filtering down to the BMW 5 Series and eventually the BMW 3 Series. This generation of the 5 Series is known as the G30, with its predecessor being the F10. Launched globally in 2016, this generation of 5 Series saw its local launch in 2017 in a single variant, with a plug-in hybrid and lower-level variant coming later.

The facelift of the model was launched locally in 2021-2022, with the consolidation of the range coming down to just the 530e M Sport and 530i M Sport – just two variants, in contrast to the four options that were available at the peak of the previous generation model. The streamlining of the range of variants is also down to customer preferences – with less uptake on larger engine variants, it doesn’t make financial sense to officially import, build, or support a product.

BMW 5 Series 2021-2022 Specifications

The ZF 8-speed conventional automatic transmission, an engine at the front, and the driven wheels at the rear. These are the core design elements of every modern BMW sedan, and the BMW 5 Series is no different – for both variants that are currently on sale. In the case of the 530i M Sport, the power unit up front is a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that makes 252 hp and 350 Nm of torque, capable of hauling the 5 Series up to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 6.4 seconds.

On the other hand, the 530e M Sport is a plug-in hybrid, with a similar turbocharged 2.0-litre engine up front that beats at a slightly lower tempo – 180 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Filling the performance gap is a hybrid motor with a 109 hp output, resulting in an impressive combined output of 292 hp and 420 Nm of torque. The resulting performance lets this variant of the 530e hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just 5.9 seconds.

Also pertinent to the 530e variant is the fact that its electric motor is capable of propelling the car in all-electric mode for up to 67 kilometres, thanks to a reasonably large 12 kWh lithium-ion battery. It manages to do so at speeds of up to 140 km/h – so if you keep that battery charged, you could almost certainly travel through most of your commute without having to fire up that engine at all.

The wheelbase is a staunch 2,975 mm, with an overall length of 4,936 mm, and a width of 1,858 mm – the latter two figures changing slightly depending on what kind of bumper design and wheel package you select. Underpinning this generation of the 5 Series is something known as the Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform, which also forms the backbone of the larger 7 Series and is known for high usage of aluminium to keep weight down, with uncompromising chassis rigidity and handling ability.

BMW 5 Series 2021-2022 Exterior

Compared to the larger leaps in design language that the last three generations of BMW 5 Series made, the G30 generation sees a more subtle re-imagining of the F10 generation model – many elements remain, though small touches like the connection of the headlights to the front grille and the swoop of the rear taillights help to differentiate this immediately from its predecessor. The proportions have also not changed drastically, perhaps with a larger emphasis on the length of the vehicle – not by virtue of physical changes, but subtle styling elements.

Both variants of the BMW 5 Series get the same Y-spoke style 19-inch alloy rims, putting on display the blue brake calipers of the M Sport package. What’s interesting is that the 530i M Sport gets the Laserlight headlight package, while the 530e M Sport gets adaptive LED headlamps instead. Beyond this, the models look nearly identical save for the badging at the rear and the more obvious charging port on the front fender for the plug-in hybrid variant. The 530i M Sport gets aluminium satinated exterior trim, over the gloss black of the 530e M Sport.

BMW 5 Series 2021-2022 Interior

With the introduction of the facelifted BMW 5 Series came a number of updates to the interior to bring it in line with current BMW models in the line-up. The most obvious change is the instrument cluster, which is entirely digital and customizable to show different readouts and screens – even allowing you put navigation front and centre between the two dials.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes as standard, with a large floating screen front and centre, functioning as your infotainment system and showing you everything you need to know in both high definition and vibrant colours.

BMW 5 Series 2021-2022 Safety Features

Following the announcement last year that nearly every BMW model sold in Malaysia would get active safety systems, the BMW 5 Series benefits from this as both variants get the BMW Driving Assistant as standard. This particular item adds functionality like Autonomous Emergency Braking, in addition to lane departure warning, lane change warning, and rear collision warning.

This is on top of the more common items like dynamic stability control (electronic stability control), ABS with EBD, and so on. That being said, one of the beautiful aspects of the BMW 5 Series is that the chassis is so well balanced and tuned to begin with, that these systems only have to intervene if the driver is really on the verge of destabilizing the car.

BMW 5 Series 2021-2022 Strengths & Weaknesses

Where other BMW models in the range have seen a lot more love over the last few years, it’s easy to forget about the BMW 5 Series and the particular set of values that it delivers – it just gets lost among the crossovers and SUVs that Malaysians are taking up more aggressively. In reality, the current G30 generation continues where the F10 left off, with ride and handling that is on the sporty side of sublime.

This has been a core BMW strength – precision in handling, and driving pleasure – and even if consumers these days are more concerned with infotainment an connectivity features, a BMW will always be able to put a smile on your face when you’re presented with an empty stretch of road.

On the flip side, the BMW 5 Series isn’t the most comfortable option in the range. It’s the reality of maintaining that sporty, precise edge – it doesn’t have the waftability or the outright plushness of something that is designed for that specific purpose – more so when you consider that BMW Malaysia packages both variants of the 5 Series with the M Sport package.

BMW 5 Series 2021-2022 Price

Current pricing for the BMW 5 Series is inclusive of the sales tax exemptions that are currently in place, with the 530e M Sport coming in at RM 317,533.95 and the 530i M Sport costing RM 368,121.86. Like most BMW models, there is the additional extended warranty and service package that can be tacked on for RM 6,820.

BMW 5 Series 2021-2022 Features

Between the two variants of the BMW 5 Series, there are only five items that the 530i M Sport gets over the 530e M Sport. First off is the adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function – essentially being low level autonomous driving functionality, slowing down to a stop in traffic if it needs to. The 530i M Sport also gets a heads-up display, a Harman Kardon sound system, and BMW gesture control for the infotainment system.

There is also an electric glass sunroof for the 530i M Sport that is devoid from the 530e M Sport – not a particularly important option here, though nice to view the cityscape through on a night cruise. Both models get adaptive suspension, though the 530i M Sport also comes with the fancier BMW Display Key that can show a few different status items.

BMW 5 Series 2021-2022 Fuel Consumption

There are manufacturer listed fuel consumption figures for both variants of the BMW 5 Series currently on offer here. The BMW 530i M Sport will run you 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres, translating to 14.9 kilometres per litre. The plug-in hybrid variant in the form of the BMW 530e M Sport will clock 2.3 litres per 100 kilometres, or a whopping 43.5 kilometres per litre.

It is important to note here that in both cases, your mjileage can vary quite heavily based on driving style and habits – turbocharged engines do drink fuel at a much higher rate if you’re heavy on the gas and constantly on boost. Specific to the hybrid model, the figure quoted is contingent on you keeping the batteries charged as often as possible, whether that’s plugging in overnight or at your place of work, or at a shopping mall.