Testfahrt: Der BMW 520d xDrive Touring
What distinguishes the BMW 5 Series?
The BMW 520d xDrive Touring in the test
In our test, we drive the basic engine of the current 5 Series Touring, the 520d in the all-wheel drive version, which bears the nickname "xDrive". Together with an electric motor, the four-cylinder turbodiesel generates up to 197 hp and produces a maximum of 400 Newton meters of torque. Power is transmitted via the eight-speed automatic transmission, which is typical of BMW.
The powertrain leaves a very good impression, accelerating the almost two-ton station wagon nimbly in everyday life, without delay and mainly quietly. The automatic transmission convinces with smooth and confident-looking gear changes. The torque is available early and pushes the 5 Series in keeping with its status.
Only when things have to go particularly fast or highway inclines are climbed at higher speeds, the automatic shifts down one or two gears and the four-cylinder diesel has to make thick cheeks. From 160 km/h, the power reserves on the motorway decrease noticeably. If necessary, the 520d xDrive swings up to 218 km/h.
At the same time, it always remains comfortable with the (optional) adaptive suspension Professional installed in the test car and, despite the large 20-inch rims, shines with pronounced taker qualities without compromising on agility. On winding roads, the large station wagon benefits from the steering rear axle (2.5 degrees) and leaves a quite nimble impression.
This is matched by the direct steering, which, together with the fine-nerved brake, ensures a direct connection between car and person. In combination with the all-wheel drive, the result is a comfortable driving experience that can be predicted at all times. Especially on long motorway stages, the 5 Series can show what it is capable of in terms of design: its long-distance suitability is proverbial.
Even on long – and sometimes brisk – motorway journeys, consumption of 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres was more than acceptable for a vehicle of this size, especially since the WLTP consumption is given as 6.2 litres. If you press the accelerator pedal carefully, you can move the five-meter Touring with a "5" in front of the decimal point; a constant 110 km/h on the highway pushed my on-board computer consumption even just under five liters, also thanks to occasional coasting inserts of the drive.
This is how the motorway assistant works in the BMW 5 Series test
Relaxation on the motorway is provided by the optional motorway assistant in the 5 Series. On motorways and roads with structurally separated lanes, it allows the driver to permanently take his hands off the steering wheel up to a speed of 130 km/h (plus 5 km/h tolerance) and with a route in the navigation system – provided that the driver keeps his eyes on the road and remains attentive in order to take control in case of doubt.
The BMW then takes over the accelerator and braking, steering and even changing lanes including turn signals. The latter is released by looking in the exterior mirror or looking over your shoulder. If there is no construction site (then the control of the car must be taken over immediately), you can theoretically drive on the motorway for hours – or better: let the BMW drive.
Even for cruise control mufflers like me, the motorway assistant is an absolutely new and exciting driving experience. After a period of getting used to it, confidence in the self-driving BMW grows and you reel off kilometre after kilometre without even having your hands on the steering wheel. It only becomes difficult for the Level 2+ system if the lane markings are interrupted. Then the person is quickly challenged again. Otherwise, the motorway assistant acts with foresight and almost humanely, drops back briefly before overtaking, then cuts into a gap, and asks for mirror vision for an overtaking manoeuvre at an early stage. Even winding motorway sections do not upset the 5 Series. By the way: If you leave too much responsibility to the system and are distracted, there are initially discreet warnings, and if necessary, the BMW brakes.
The motorway assistant has the potential to become much more than just a gimmick for tech-savvy people. Take a short rest period while driving or take a sip of coffee while the car drives itself? Especially for sales representatives with a high mileage, this is a worthwhile investment (850 euros).
The engines of the BMW 5 Series Touring
BMW offers the 5 Series Touring (without M models) as a diesel, plug-in hybrid and fully electric. The power ranges from 197 to 601 hp.
| Model | Engine type | Drive | Achievement | Consumption/100 km (WLTP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 520d | Diesel | Rear-wheel drive | 145 kW (197 hp) | 5.9 l |
| 520d xDrive | Diesel | Wheel | 145 kW (197 hp) | 6.2 l |
| 540d xDrive | Diesel | Wheel | 223 kW (303 hp) | 6.5 l |
| 530e | Plug-in hybrid | Rear-wheel drive | 220 kW (299 hp) | 22.6 kWh and 0.9 l |
| 530e xDrive | Plug-in hybrid | Wheel | 220 kW (299 hp) | 23.7 kWh and 1 l |
| i5 eDrive40 | All-electric | Rear-wheel drive | 250 kW (340 hp) | 19.3−19.2 kWh |
| i5 M60 xDrive | All-electric | Wheel | 442 kW (601 hp) | 20.9 kWh |
How much does the BMW 520d xDrive Touring cost?
Prices for the station wagon 5 Series start at 61,750 euros. The tested 5 Series Touring as a 520d with all-wheel drive starts at a price of at least 64,350 euros. The test car, which has 45 items on the equipment list (including the M Sport package, adaptive suspension Professional with rear-axle steering, M Sport brakes, 20-inch rims, Driving Assistant Professional with motorway assist), costs a hefty 87,180 euros.
What are the dimensions of the BMW 5 Series Touring?
A BMW 5 Series Touring has never been bigger. The current generation (G61) of the BMW estate breaks the five-metre barrier that separates the upper mid-range from the luxury class. The wheelbase is more than generous at 2,995 millimeters. The vehicle width of 1.90 meters without exterior mirrors is also stately. These dimensions do not make it any easier to find a parking space in the city and maneuver in narrow parking garages – then only the 360-degree camera helps.
- Length: 5.06 meters
- Width (without exterior mirrors): 1.90 meters
- Height: 1.52 meters
- Wheelbase: 3.00 meters
How much luggage can I store in the BMW 5 Series Touring?
Ungeachtet der größeren Abmessungen des aktuellen BMW 5er Touring bleibt das Kofferraumvolumen bei 570 Litern beziehungsweise 1.700 Litern mit umgeklappter Rücksitzlehne – und damit genauso wie im etwas kompakteren Vorgänger G31. Zuladen darf man im 520d Touring mit Allrad bis zu 660 Kilogramm. Die Anhängelast beträgt bis zu 2.000 Kilo, die Stützlast der Anhängerkupplung 100 Kilo.
Und wo wir uns gerade thematisch am Heck des 5er aufhalten: Die getrennt zu öffnende Heckklappe – über lange Zeit ein Alleinstellungsmerkmal für BMW-Touring-Modelle – entfällt bei der aktuellen Generation erstmals. Schade.
And while we're on the subject of the rear of the 5 Series: The separately opening tailgate – a unique selling point for BMW Touring models for a long time – is omitted for the first time in the current generation. What a pity.
How is the interior of the BMW 5 Series Touring designed?
The typical dignified, sporty BMW objectivity prevails in the interior of the 5 Series test car. Largely dispensing with buttons is hardly worth mentioning in 2024, but rather that BMW is still installing an iDrive controller despite the large touchscreen in the dual-screen cockpit and the reliable voice recognition of OS 8.5.
However, you quickly realize that the infotainment is actually designed for touch and voice control. Nevertheless, it's good that there is haptic redundancy. Amazingly, in addition to comfort functions, even the speed limit warning and the lane departure warning system with steering intervention can be set in the 5 Series via voice recognition. Such a deep integration of speech recognition is still a special feature – and commendable!
Among the classic virtues: The thickly upholstered sports steering wheel with M logo lies in the hands to fill the format, the seats are pleasantly low, comfortable and yet embrace the passengers as you would expect from a BMW. The space in the first row of seats is very good – even tall people sit extremely comfortably.
There is still room on the rear bench seat with 1.95 meters upwards: very good. To the front – with the front seat adjusted to a 1.95-metre driver – there is only a finger's width of space for the knees. Good, but not outstanding with a wheelbase of three meters. On the other hand, it is nice that there are four USB-C ports on the rear seat.
The advantages and disadvantages of the BMW 520d xDrive Touring
Strengthen
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Excellent long-distance comfort
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Very economical, quiet and sufficiently powerful mild hybrid diesel
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Very good speech recognition
-
Direct handling despite the size
Weaken
- Boot volume at the same level as its predecessor – despite size growth
- Entry-level engine for fast motorway driving without large power reserves
- High price level
My conclusion
The BMW 5 Series Touring is a very well-made, large station wagon. When driving, it conveys a very present and powerful impression, even with the small diesel. However, if you expect sovereign power reserves and a lot of motorized highway prestige from the 197 hp diesel, you should perhaps find out about the larger diesel 540d xDrive with 303 hp. Everyone else also drives excellently with the 520d. The space conditions are befitting of their status, but do not trump the predecessor. I remember the pronounced long-distance qualities of the 520d xDrive Touring and the – with an adapted driving style – enormously economical diesel. The 5 Series Touring is a relaxed and technically state-of-the-art companion when eating up kilometres, all the more so when the motorway assistant is on board.