Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 5-Series Touring

We take a first drive of the new BMW 5-series Touring to find out how it stacks up to its German rivals.

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your next car here
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

It can’t match the Mercedes E-Class for boot space, but when it comes to driveability the new 5-Series Touring keeps its nose in front. Despite being less involving to drive than its predecessor, it’s bigger, more comfortable and has a classier interior than the car it replaces. And in a segment where image is so important - it packs plenty of premium appeal. We all know how good the six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are, but all things considered, the the fast and frugal four-cylinder 520d Touring is just about all the car you’ll ever need.

Advertisement - Article continues below

When it comes to premium estate cars, outright size isn’t the be all and end all. If it was, everyone would buy the Mercedes E-Class and BMW wouldn’t bother making a new 5-Series Touring at all. But when it comes to BMWs there’s usually more than meets the eye.

Despite being marginally larger than before, with a total loading space of 1,670 litres, the new 5-Series Touring is still 280-litres down on the mighty Merc - but it’s by no means small.

The BMW will still swallow a couple of mountain bikes, carry four people and their golf clubs in business class style or transport the whole family, together with baby paraphernalia, anywhere you want to go.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

GV60

2022 Genesis

GV60

39,303 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £21,084
View GV60
A6

2018 Audi

A6

85,000 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L

Cash £14,990
View A6
Niro

2022 Kia

Niro

20,534 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £15,408
View Niro
Ioniq 5

2022 Hyundai

Ioniq 5

27,580 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £19,700
View Ioniq 5

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69266","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

It may only have an extra 20-litres of boot space, or 60 with the seats folded, over the old car but what matters is that there are now some handy new features to make your life even easier. The first is that when you open the tailgate the luggage cover retracts or lowers automatically. Also the rear seats can be folded down in one go by simply pulling a lever in the boot while their backs are spilt 40:20:40 for greater flexibility. You can even recline them by 11 degrees for extra comfort or put them forward for more boot space. However, this feature is a £280 option. Our only real complaint is that BMW didn’t see fit to make key fob-operated tailgate control standard like it is on the E-Class.

But the Beemer makes up for this with its higher quality interior. Inside, no other car in this segment feels quite so upmarket. The exterior design is stylish too - BMW’s conservative new look somehow seems more at home on the estate than the saloon. And thanks to the longest wheelbase in the class the 5 Series Touring has very little front and rear overhang - something which helps its sporty stance.

But is the driving experience up to scratch? For lugging loads along Snowdonia’s mountain passes, no other car comes close. There’s an abundance of grip and unflappable body control. That said the new 5 Series Touring doesn’t feel quite as involving to drive as its predecessor, although it’s still a cut above the E-Class.

On the plus side the new car is much more capable at ironing out the bumps in our battered British roads. In fact the 5 Series Touring’s suspension, which includes a self-leveling pneumatic system at the rear, is the car’s most impressive asset.

We drove the entry-level 520d, but arguably it’s the engine that makes the most sense. Smooth, punchy and incredibly efficient it makes the hugely talented six-cylinder 530d and 535i models seem vaguely irrelevant. Our test car featured the six-speed manual which felt strangely at odds with the car’s laid-back demeanour, if you can afford the extra £1,495 we’d recommend going for the silky eight-speed auto.

RIVAL:

The E-Class Estate has always prided itself on offering more room than any of its rivals, and the latest model is no different. Why buy an SUV when you can have all the space in a sleek E-Class shell?

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,647 off RRP*Used from £13,800
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,462 off RRP*Used from £11,847
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,297 off RRP*
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £7,778 off RRP*Used from £11,890
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k
Geely EX5 - front

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k

This new electric SUV is coming soon to the UK from Volvo and Lotus parent company, Geely
News
15 Sep 2025
Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain
Nissan Qashqai electric render Avarvarii - front 3/4

Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain

There will be an overlap of powertrains for the big-selling SUV
News
15 Sep 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month
Polestar 4 - cornering, low shot

Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month

Fancy something smart and sophisticated? You won’t look back with the Polestar 4. It’s our Deal of the Day for September 13
News
13 Sep 2025