2021 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid Sedan

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Rating7.5

Ranked #4 in 

Midsize Sedan
Write Review
$57,200 - $59,500
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Combination of power and fuel efficiency

Interior quality feels below standards in some places

Updates to the exterior styling

Wide range of features and tech

Complicated options structure

An upgraded 12.3-inch infotainment system

Spacious and comfortable interior

Revised powertrain with added punch

Specs & Features

$57,200

price

288 hp @ 3800 rpm

horsepower

310 lb.-ft.

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.0L 4cyl RWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Armed with a 2.0L turbocharged Inline-4 engine and an electric motor system, fused to an 8-Speed Sport Automatic transmission, the 2021 BMW 5 Series PHEV makes 288 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Standalone, the engine makes 181 horsepower while the electric motor manages 107 horsepower. This powertrain helps the 5 Series PHEV cover 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. You can drive the BMW 5 Series PHEV for 21 miles on the electric system alone, making it good for a small trip in the city. Combined, the BMW 5 Series PHEV achieves an impressive 64 MPGe combined while getting 26 MPG from the traditional engine alone. With a base price of MSRP $58,195, the BMW 5 Series PHEV makes a formidable competitor in the midsize sedan segment, competing with the likes of the Volvo S90 Recharge and the Audi A7 plug-in hybrid. 

Buying Advice

As the 2021 BMW 5 Series PHEV offers us only 2 options: 530e and 530e xDrive, we would suggest you go ahead with the 530e xDrive. The main reason is that it offers all-wheel drive while adding $2,300 to the budget. This not only enhances the handling cues but also comes in handy when you live in an area with a lot of snow. Other than that, both the trims offer similar features and performance levels. Moreover, adding the optional Driver Assistance Plus Package and Parking Assistance Package can further elevate your experience with the 530e.

Trims

    530e iPerformance
    $57,200 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 288 hp @ 3800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 310 lb.-ft.
    • 0-60 mph: 5.7 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg
    530e
    $59,500 onwards
    • 18-Inch wheels
    • Adaptive LED headlights
    • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Blind-Spot monitor
    • Forward collision mitigation
    • Power-Adjustable front seats

Compare to similar cars

Price

$57,200- $59,500

Engine

plug-in-hybrid

Rating

7.49

Horsepower

288 hp @ 3800 rpm

Torque

310 lb.-ft.

Capacity

5

Read Review

$54,900- $69,500

Gasoline

7.35

248 hp @ 4300 rpm

273 lb.-ft.

5

Read Review

$54,250- $74,450

Gasoline

8.52

255 hp @ 5800 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

5

Read Review

$74,900- $80,250

plug-in-hybrid

8.64

362 hp @ 5000 rpm

369 lb.-ft.

5

Read Review

2021 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    5.7 sec14.4 sec130 mph
    5.6 sec15.3 sec144 mph
    5.7 sec14.3 sec155 mph
    2021 Audi A6

    Ranked #3

    6.1 sec15.1 sec130 mph

    2021 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      24 mpg29 mpg26 mpg12.1 gal.290.4/350.9 mi.
      26 mpg34 mpg29 mpg13.7 gal.356.2/465.8 mi.
      2021 Audi A6

      Ranked #2

      23 mpg31 mpg26 mpg19.3 gal.443.9/598.3 mi.
      22 mpg31 mpg25 mpg17.4 gal.382.8/539.4 mi.

      2021 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        195.8 in.73.5 in.58.4 in.5.7 in.117.1 in.
        195.9 in.75.1 in.55.9 in.4.2 in.115.2 in.
        2021 Audi A6

        Ranked #3

        194.4 in.74.3 in.57.4 in.4.2 in.115.1 in.
        194.3 in.73.7 in.57.8 in.3.8 in.115.7 in.

        2021 Volvo S60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid

        Ranked #5

        187.4 in.72.8 in.56.6 in.5.8 in.113.1 in.

        2021 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          10 cu.ft.98.8 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.
          2021 Audi A6

          Ranked #1

          13.7 cu.ft.68.3 cu.ft.234.1 cu.ft.
          21.6 cu.ft.127.3 cu.ft.97.1 cu.ft.
          13.1 cu.ft.-15 cu.ft.

          2021 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            16.7 cu.ft.10 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.
            2021 Audi A6

            Ranked #2

            234.1 cu.ft.13.7 cu.ft.234.1 cu.ft.
            15 cu.ft.13.1 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.
            97.1 cu.ft.21.6 cu.ft.97.1 cu.ft.

            2021 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid Sedan vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              798 lbs.4222 lbs.
              2021 Audi A6

              Ranked #1

              1102 lbs.4101 lbs.
              -3781 lbs.
              1102 lbs.4773 lbs.

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