Skip advert
Advertisement

Premium Hybrid Car of the Year 2024: BMW 530e

The BMW 530e is the 2024 Auto Express Premium Hybrid Car of the Year with the Lexus NX and Mercedes C 300 e commended

BMW knows a thing or two when it comes to building big, posh saloons, and much like its predecessors, the latest eighth-generation 5 Series manages to move the game on from the competition. It’s a truly superb all-round executive car, but a key string to its bow is the quality of its plug-in hybrid options – particularly the 530e.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Here, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is paired with an electric motor; producing 187bhp and 181bhp respectively, the petrol and electric elements provide it with a 6.3-second 0-62mph time. On the majority of your journeys you won’t need to use any petrol at all, thanks to a WLTP electric-only range of 61 miles.

Whichever variant you choose, the 5 Series is a stunning executive car. It delivers class-leading interior quality, ergonomics and space – and in contrast to its key rivals, boot space is barely compromised by the plug-in hybrid powertrain. 

It’s a brilliant car to drive, too; the ride is controlled enough to deliver superb handling but it remains supple and comfortable in everyday driving. On the infrequent occasions when the petrol engine does need to wake into life, occupants will barely know, so distant is the four-cylinder hum. It allows everyone to appreciate just how little wind and road noise intrudes into the cabin. Everything works together with the result that the 530e is a brilliant long-distance cruiser.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Perhaps more surprisingly, it represents strong value. The 530e manages to undercut its closest competition on price by some margin.

Our choice

BMW 530e M Sport (£59,455)

While the 550e’s six-cylinder engine adds an extra layer of performance and luxury, you do have to pay a premium for the privilege. That’s why we’d stick with the 530e, which is undoubtedly the sweet spot in the range in terms of performance, refinement and efficiency. 

Commended

Lexus NX

Advertisement - Article continues below

Our Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year also comes highly commended in the Premium Hybrid class. The Lexus NX benefits from the hybrid know-how of parent company Toyota to deliver one of the slickest and most efficient petrol/electric powertrains on the market.

Mercedes C 300 e

A real-world range of around 60 miles on electric power alone means that most owners of the Mercedes C 300 e are going to forget what their nearest petrol station looks like. A 2.0-litre engine backs up the e-motor, which allows you to appreciate the C-Class’s other strengths, such as a handsome, tech-laden interior and superb refinement.

You can find all the information on our New Car Awards 2024 winners and the reasons why we chose them on the pages below. Just follow the links to read more…

New Car Awards 2024: the winners

Special edition of Auto Express

Auto Express Issue 1,838

For the full New Car Awards experience, make sure you pick up a copy of our special 2024 New Car Awards collectors' edition of the Auto Express magazine, which is available in shops now.

Subscribe to Auto Express magazine

You can buy individual issues of Auto Express or subscribe for even bigger discounts on the print magazine cover price. You can also subscribe or download individual issues of our digital edition direct to your desktop, phone or tablet as well.

Stay right up to date with the latest from the world of cars in 2024 and beyond, subscribe to our email newsletter and follow us on social media...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief reviewer

Alex joined Auto Express as staff writer in early 2018, helping out with news, drives, features, and the occasional sports report. His current role of Chief reviewer sees him head up our road test team, which gives readers the full lowdown on our comparison tests.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New vs used executive cars: BMW 5 Series or BMW M3?
New BMW 5 Series vs used BMW M3 - header

New vs used executive cars: BMW 5 Series or BMW M3?

Big and brand-new or smaller and more powerful? We determine the best BMW to buy
Car group tests
31 Mar 2025
Used Car Hunter: flash, four-wheel drive saloons for £20,000
Car Hunter: Help! I need an upmarket 4WD saloon for £20,000 - header image

Used Car Hunter: flash, four-wheel drive saloons for £20,000

Our Car Hunter has a budget of £20,000 to find a premium 4WD saloon
Features
26 Mar 2025
New BMW 5 Series spotted with concept-like Neue Klasse looks
Facelifted BMW 5 Series - front cornering

New BMW 5 Series spotted with concept-like Neue Klasse looks

BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse design language won’t be limited to all-new models, as spy shots of 5 Series confirm
News
14 Mar 2025
Best executive cars to buy 2025
Best executive cars - header image

Best executive cars to buy 2025

These executive cars add a real touch of class to every journey
Best cars & vans
11 Feb 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month
BYD Seal - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month

The BYD Seal is a Tesla Model 3 rival, and a very good one at that. It’s our Deal of the Day for 31 March
News
31 Mar 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Only £245 per month for the 60mpg Renault Rafale coupé-SUV
Renault Rafale - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Only £245 per month for the 60mpg Renault Rafale coupé-SUV

Sleekly styled SUV comes with hybrid power and a competitive monthly price in our Deal of the Day for 29 March
News
29 Mar 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Hybrid-powered Peugeot 3008 for £208 per month
Peugeot 3008 Hybrid - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Hybrid-powered Peugeot 3008 for £208 per month

Peugeot’s sharply styled and hybrid-powered family car can be leased for as little as £208 per month in this deal
News
30 Mar 2025