The 5 Series is Bimmer’s mid-size product, offered in a sedan, wagon, and fastback body style. Available since 1972, a total of seven generations have made their appearance over the years, with the current model making its introduction in October of 2016. This latest model sees an expansion into the Bavarian’s iPerformance lineup as the fourth such model to gain the designation. Seeking a balance between performance fun and a little efficiency as well, the 530e iPerformance gets all the same good stuff as the regular 5 Series, including the latest interior technology, snappy good looks, and a decent amount of performance, but adds a solid dose of hybrid efficiency and torque on top.

BMW says it’s doubling down on its electrified and hybrid offerings going forward, so it makes a lot of sense to see this relatively mild electrification for the 5 Series. We think it’s a smart move, as it manages to retain what we like about the 5 Series without diminishing anything in the process. It bodes well for future hybridized Bimmers, and sets a clear path forward as the Bavarians move to bring big batteries across its lineup.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW 530e iPerformance.

2018 BMW 530e iPerformance

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 BMW 530e iPerformance
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 248
  • Torque: 310
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Outside, we find the BMW 530e iPerformance looks more or less identical to its non-hybridized counterparts. The lines and shapes are all the same, with narrow headlight housings packed with twin projectors and bright daytime running lights in the surrounds, a broad kidney grille lined in chrome, an extended lower intake, handsome proportions, and a forward-leaning stance. It’s all traditional luxury sedan kind of stuff. The hood line is long, the roofline gently slopes into the trunk, and the rear end is short.

And while the 530e isn’t all that different from the standard 5 Series aesthetic, there are some unique styling elements that help identify the 530e as a hybrid, mostly thanks to a blue hue added to various components. Look closely, and you’ll see these in the front kidney grille and wheel hub covers, plus there are i badges and e-Drive badges scattered throughout. However, the big giveaway is the charging socket located on the driver’s side between the front wheel arch and A-pillar.

Finally, BMW equips 18-inch wheels as standard. The wheel design is in a multi-spoke layout, and we think it looks good on the Bimmer.

Competing Styles

Note: Mercedes C 350e Hybrid pictured on the left, Infiniti Q50 Hybrid pictured on the right.

When looking for the appropriate competition for a German luxury car, it’s usually best to delve into the Big Three – Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. In this case, that first entry offers a solid alternative to the 530e with the Mercedes-Benz C 350e Hybrid. Like the Bimmer, the Merc gets the traditional luxury sedan cues, with a long wheelbase, long hood, and short rear. The bodywork utilizes lots of aluminum, and incorporates sensuous lines that wrap around the body in a flowing manner. The wheels are large, five-spoke affairs, measuring in at 18 inches in diameter.

Next up, we have a Japanese substitute with the Infiniti Q50 Hybrid. This thing definitely stands out thanks to its unique exterior styling, with shapely lines and voluminous features added front to back. The profile is particularly aggressive, enhanced thanks to flared fenders and a wide, low stance. LEDs are used for the daytime running lights in front while 18-inch wheels take up residence in the corners.

And while exterior appearance is a matter of opinion, we feel like the Bimmer is the best looking in this crowd. We think that it offers the best sense of top-shelf quality out of the three, and that’s important in a segment like this.

Interior

Like the exterior, the interior of the BMW 530e iPerformance doesn’t differ terribly from the standard, non-hybrid 5 Series. You still get premium materials and a horizontal layout, with a driver-centric focus and seating for five passengers. Those sitting in back get their own climate control panel, while those in front get supportive, form-hugging seats.

Hybrid details include illuminated door sills dressed with the eDrive logo, plus an eDrive button located in the center console (more on that later). There are also unique displays for the gauges and central console.

One of the Bimmer’s biggest focuses is the onboard technology. The Bavarians assert that the 530e iPerformance “offers the full breath of BMW 5 Series Advanced Driver Assistance systems.” Basically, this means the same technology you get in the regular 5 Series and 7 Series, with a plethora of assistance systems including blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and traffic jam assist. Many of these are definitely cutting edge and should draw in buyers seeking the latest and greatest. They’re also designed for operation in Germany, and work at speeds up to 130 mph. You know, just in case you need it.

The onboard infotainment system uses the latest iDrive platform, currently offered as version 6.0. This includes a nav system, smartphone support, and the all the rest of the stuff you’d expect for an application like this. There’s also the BMW Connected system, which integrates digital aspects like destination data, navigation data, weather conditions, estimated arrival times, and more to make your life a little easier.

Speaking of which, the 530e also gets a 360-degree bird’s eye view camera system, which helps you avoid curbs when parking and the little one’s bike if he or she accidently left it directly behind the car without your knowing.

When it comes to getting around town, the 530e also integrates with ParkNow and On-Street Parking services to help you find a spot. In terms of the hybrid system, the infotainment will offer feedback on how well you drive, or rather, how green you drive. Your rating is dependent on efficiency, which comes down to stuff like how hard you accelerate, how smoothly you brake, and similar activities.

Supporting all these interior tech features is a 10.25-inch display mounted high on the dash. There’s also voice control and the option for gesture control, while more solid inputs are made via the iDrive Controller on top of the central tunnel.

Competing Interiors

Note: Mercedes C 350e Hybrid pictured on the left, Infiniti Q50 Hybrid pictured on the right.

In our opinion, we think the interior of the Mercedes looks great. Long, drawn-out lines add a sense of spaciousness, while rounded air vents lined in polished metal dot the dash. Materials used include natural grain wood and aluminum trim, plus the option for other colors if desired. A panorama roof is also on the options list. The steering wheel is a three-spoke, multi-function unit (a flat-bottom wheel can be had for more sportiness, if desired), while further MB-Tex leatherette can be added to the top of the dash and doors. Safety features include collision prevention, attention assist, crosswind assist, and optional blind spot monitoring.

Meanwhile, inside the Infiniti, passengers sit amongst maple wood trim and aluminum details. The layout is much more vertical than the Bimmer and Merc, with the eye naturally led to the tall center stack, where we find a top-mounted display screen and a digital controller. A digital display in the gauges continues the data readout. The steering wheel, door panels, center console, and other elements utilize contrast stitching for the upholstery, while the shifter is an actual stick, rather than a series of buttons or knobs.

In our opinion, the best-looking interior of the three has to be the Merc. While the design is starting to get a little long in the tooth, it still gives us that sense that you’re sitting in a high-end luxury car, that it’s really something special. The Bimmer, however, is probably the way to go if having the latest technology is high on your priority list.

Drivetrain

This is really the most important section for the BMW 530e iPerformance, the place where it should shine the brightest. Providing the motivation is an eDrive plug-in hybrid powertrain, which starts by utilizing a TwinPower gasoline-burning internal combustion engine. Specs on the gas-burner include displacement of 2.0-liters divided amongst four cylinders. On its own, the ICE produces 180 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. Paired to the engine is a single electric motor, which produces upwards of 111 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Put the engine and motor together, and total output comes to 248 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

Of course, you can’t forget the battery pack either, which in this case is a lithium-ion unit rated at a 9.2-kWh capacity. Bimmer smartly placed the pack under the rear seat, and as a result, saved extra space, including the full trunk area for practicality purposes. The pack also uses refrigerant cooling and a highly integrated low-temperature circuit for max efficiency. A full charge is achieved in 7 hours when plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet. Bimmer says the 120-volt source can be used via an “Occasional Use Cable,” so really, you’re gonna wanna step up to a custom 240-volt source if you’re planning on plugging in regularly.

For those interested in further hybrid investment and energy-saving solutions, BMW offers its 360 Electric Lifestyle tech, which gives owners further charging options, including solar power and a 240-volt source. Plug it into one of these, and you reduce charge times to 3 hours.

Bimmer also recently announced that it was going to offer the option for wireless, inductive charging, which is great if you can’t be bothered to actually plug it in. Either way, the 530e iPerformance uses regenerative braking to keep the batteries topped off while on the move. You can also monitor the charging progress via a special display in the instrument cluster.

In terms of layout, the electric motor is placed “upstream” from the transmission, thus allowing the gearbox ratios to translate both the electric power and the ICE power. This has the added benefit of replacing the torque converter, which chips away at the curb weight as a result. What’s more, the Bimmer will decouple the engine from the powertrain, lowering parasitic loss (“engine braking”) and upping efficiency as a result.

Helping the Bimmer best use the energy is a multitude of driving modes, which include all the usual suspects, such Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro. Hit the eDrive button and you’ll get additional drive mode options, such as Auto eDrive, Max eDrive, and Battery Control.

These bear a little explanation. Auto eDrive means the ICE and electric motor work in concert, with all-electric power used up to 56 mph. This is the default mode. Max eDrive offers all-electric power only, with a max speed up to 87 mph. Going any faster will start the ICE. Battery Control lets the user set the charge level for the battery, so for example, if you want the maximum amount of electric power for some anticipated stop and go traffic, you can set charge level higher to keep some extra electrons in reserve.

Further drivetrain features include an eight-speed automatic transmission, plus the requisite paddle shifters to offer a little more control. Both RWD and AWD are on the table.

As for the performance of the iPerformance, acceleration figures from 0 to 60 mph look like 6.1 seconds, while top speed is rated at 130 mph.

Competing Drivetrains

Note: Mercedes C 350e Hybrid pictured on the left, Infiniti Q50 Hybrid pictured on the right.

Put your foot down in the Mercedes, and you’ll tap into a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine mated with a 60-kW electric motor. Working in concert, the duo manages to produce upwards of 275 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Routed to the rear axle by way of a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Merc can hit the 60-mph mark in 5.8 seconds. The battery can reach a full charge from a public charger in 2.5 hours.

Moving onto the Infiniti, the Q50 Hybrid is equipped with 360 horsepower thanks to a 3.5-liter V-6 mated with a 50-kW electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. Fuel economy is rated at 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, with power routed through an automatic seven-speed transmission. RWD is equipped as standard, while AWD is offered as well. Properly motivated, the Infiniti can scorch the 0-to-60 mph run in just 4.9 seconds.

That’s mighty quick for any car, let alone a hybrid, and we’re impressed by the fuel economy as well. All told, if it’s power and efficiency that you’re after, the Infiniti’s electrically boosted six-cylinder is the way to go.

Note: Mercedes C 350e Hybrid pictured on the left, Infiniti Q50 Hybrid pictured on the right.0}

The BMW 530e iPerformance is available now, with pricing set at $52,400 for the entry-level Sport Line Design trim level. Above that is the Luxury Design model for $52,900, while the M Sport Design starts at $57,000.

Competing Prices

Note: Mercedes C 350e Hybrid pictured on the left, Infiniti Q50 Hybrid pictured on the right.

Go for the Merc, and you’ll be spending $47,900 before options. Several packages are on the table, including the Parking Assist Package, the Premium Package, the Air Balance Package, and the Intelligent Hybrid Navigation and Multimedia Package, all of which will quickly raise the bottom line.

Meanwhile, the Infiniti starts at $50,600 for the Q50 Hybrid Luxe model with RWD. The AWD iteration adds two grand to the bottom line. Options are limited, but do include stuff like Radiant Exterior Ground Lighting, a Cargo Package, and the All-weather Package.

Note: Mercedes C 350e Hybrid pictured on the left, Infiniti Q50 Hybrid pictured on the right.0}

Lexus GS Hybrid

As the luxury arm of Toyota, Lexus has plenty of hybrid tech to pull directly off the shelf, and the GS takes advantage of that. Also offered in a high-powered Sport iteration, the GS Hybrid mates a 3.5-liter V-6 ICE with a single electric motor to produce 338 horsepower. A CVT is the only transmission option, while inside, you’ll find a spiffy interior with nice materials.

Read our full review on the Lexus GS Hybrid.

Volvo S90 Hybrid

The Swedes are keen on the whole hybrid thing as well, and offer up their take on premium eco motoring with the S90 sedan hybrid. Motivated by a stout 407 horsepower from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor combo, the S90 is quick. Inside, there’s also tons of luxury draped across a very good-looking layout, while a variety of autonomous features keep it very safe. Nice combination of features, if you ask us.

Read our full review on the Volvo S90 Hybrid.

Conclusion

Adding an electric motor to the 5 Series makes a lot of sense for Bimmer. For starters, it’s not all that expensive to do, with just a few hundred bucks required to step up to the hybridized variant. Add in lots of technology and the panache of driving a high-end luxury German sedan, and things are looking good for the 530e iPerformance.

Of course, if it’s really performance that your after, there are better options. That said, the electric motor adds a solid bit of torque to the equation, which is great for around town, but the extra weight makes this thing quite heavy in the corners. Again, fun for spirited driving, but definitely not a full-fledged performance vehicle, at least not by our standards.

For what it is, we have to hand it to BMW. Overall, we approve.

References

BMW 5 Series

Read our full review on the 2017 BMW 5 Series.

BMW 7 Series

Read our full review on the 2017 BMW 7 Series.

Read more BMW news.