Review
BMW 5 Series Touring
BMW recently presented the new 5 Touring. We are now in the fifth generation of the Touring in more than 25 years and the most recent addition guarantees, among other things, advanced driver assistance systems, digital connectivity and a remarkable control and display system. We were introduced to this technological prodigy through a test drive with the torque-rich 530d xDrive.
On the way to autonomous driving
The new 5 Touring brings us one step closer to autonomous driving thanks to new driver assistance systems and extensive functions. For example, you can opt for the optional Driving Assistant Pack Plus. This package of driver assistance systems offers more comfort and safety in traffic jams and long journeys on the motorway. This is made possible, for example, by the Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, which permanently maintains the desired speed up to 210 km/h and the distance to the vehicle in front. In the same speed range, the steering and lane guidance assistant helps the driver keep the 5 Touring safely in the lane. Lane Change Warning helps to avoid collisions by avoiding or correcting a lane change or unintended lane departure in heavy traffic. There is also a collision warning that will respond if necessary with increasingly intensive warnings, braking and, if necessary, full braking. In addition, the car will also recognize dangerous situations at intersections, such as driver inattention or crossing traffic, and intervene to provide support.
If you choose the Park Assist Plus equipment package, parking becomes even easier. The equipment consists of Surround View incl. Top View, Remote 3D View, PDC and Park Assist. The Surround View System makes parking easier thanks to the display of Top View, Panorama View with automatic activation and a 3D View. The driver also has the option to receive more information about the surroundings of the parked car on his smartphone via Remote 3D View. When parking manually, the Active PDC emergency braking function will help the driver when parking in reverse to avoid or reduce the severity of collisions. With Park Assist, the car parks fully automatically in parking spaces that are parallel or perpendicular to the road. With most brands we see that the system takes over the steering, but with the BMW system the driver assistance system will also take over the gas and brakes, among other things. As a director, you only have to oversee and control the entire process.
Improved control and display system
The new BMW 5 Series Touring has a large, high-resolution control screen for the iDrive control system. This allows the car’s functions and the navigation, communication and infotainment system to be operated, including via the touchpad. Work has been done to improve the presentation of the menus to make operation even more intuitive. The advantage for the driver is that they are less distracted and can keep their eyes on the road. You can also operate a number of functions with improved voice control or even with gestures. The Head-Up Display was also improved with, among other things, a projection surface that was 70% larger.
Connectivity
The new 5 Touring also offers many interesting applications of connection between the car and the driver’s smartphone. For example, the driver can send destinations from his smartphone to the car and determine the ideal departure time based on real-time traffic information. In the future it will also be possible for the driver to manage his agenda, e-mails and contact details via Microsoft Exchange.
Motorizations
The BMW 5 Series Touring is available in various petrol and diesel engines. Among the petrol engines, the 520i Touring (from 52,750 euros) with 184 hp and steptronic is the entry-level. There is also a 530i Touring ( 57,800 euros) with 252 hp. This is also available as an xDrive 60,500 euros. At the top of the regular range we find a 540i xDrive Touring (from: 67,900 euros) with 340 hp.
The entry-level BMW 520d Touring with 190 hp is the diesel range. You can still choose this with a manual gearbox from 51,250 euros. The 520d is also available with xDrive from 56,300 euros. There is also a 525d Touring with 231 hp from 59,200 euros and a 530d Touring with 265 hp from 63,400 euros. Our test car was the 530d Touring xDrive. You must pay at least 66,100 euros for this. At the top of the range we find a 540d xDrive Touring with 320 hp from 71,750 euros.
We were introduced to the new 5 Touring through a test drive with the 530d xDrive Touring. This has a 6 cylinder 2,993 cc diesel engine with a power of 265 hp and no less than 620 Nm max. torque. This torquey diesel goes from 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h. The BMW 530d xDrive Touring has xDrive all-wheel drive and a steptronic automatic transmission.
Conclusion
The new BMW 5 Series Touring does what you expect and much more. The car offers amazing things in terms of technology and connectivity and also looks good in terms of design and finish. Also the iDrive control system has now become even more convenient to use.
Additional video of the interior, gesture control and the multifunctional display
Johan De Haes
Test driver
