In 2018, BMW decided to shake things up a bit with their 5 Series. They took a detour from their usual "performance is king" mantra and cozied up to luxury instead. Shocking? Maybe. But what they ended up whipping together was this mid-size sedan that's a masterclass in balancing practicality with a touch of swankiness. Think roomy interiors that could double as a yoga studio, and cargo space that would make a pack rat blush. It's the perfect ride for families or anyone who's ever thought "I need more space for my stuff."
But don't let all that comfort fool you. Under the hood, this baby packs an engine that's both fuel-efficient and adrenaline-pumping. It's like having your cake and eating it too, but with horsepower. And just when you thought BMW had gone soft, they introduced the M550i performance model in 2018. It's like a love letter to their Ultimate Driving Machine roots, reminding us that they still know how to make a car that's fun to drive.
Read on to learn more about the 2018 BMW 5 Series.
The 2018 BMW 5 Series has got an incredibly posh and sophisticated interior, which is a huge step up from its predecessors. It's got this super classy layout with top-notch materials, including the option to go for the Luxury Seating package with Nappa leather, and you can even customize it with the BMW Individual program to add some personal flair. The design is just perfect for comfort, making the cockpit a really classy and luxurious space.
The backseat area is super spacious, offering ultimate comfort for passengers. But it's not just about luxury and comfort – the 2018 BMW 5 Series is also packed with amazing tech. It's got all the high-tech gadgets you could ask for, like a user-friendly infotainment system with seamless connectivity and a digital instrument cluster. The perfect combo of luxury, innovation, and technology truly makes the 2018 BMW 5 Series stand out from the crowd.
The exterior of the 2018 BMW 5 Series is a testament to the brand's dedication to crafting vehicles that are as visually impressive as they are performance-oriented. The car's athletic stance is complemented by its refined body lines and the signature double-kidney grille, which is flanked by adaptive LED headlights. Standard 18-inch wheels add to the vehicle's commanding presence, while optional 19 or 20-inch wheels offer an elevated aesthetic appeal. The car's rear design is equally striking, featuring LED taillights and a dynamic exhaust system that further accentuates its sporty nature. Luxury Line, Sport Line, and M Sport packages are available, allowing drivers to customize the 5 Series exterior according to their preferences. The inclusion of these high-end design elements underscores the 2018 BMW 5 Series' commitment to blending functionality, luxury, and style.
The 2018 BMW 5 Series offers a dynamic range of engine choices, all of which deliver robust performance and responsive handling. The 530i and 530i xDrive models are powered by a 248-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides brisk acceleration and seamless power delivery. For those seeking more power, the 540i and 540i xDrive models house a 335-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that delivers a more spirited performance. The top-tier M550i xDrive boasts a formidable 455-horsepower twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine, taking the driving experience to another level of exhilaration. There's also a plug-in hybrid variant, the 530e iPerformance, which combines a turbo four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver 248 horsepower while offering excellent fuel efficiency. Each model is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth gear shifts and an engaging driving experience. The 2018 BMW 5 Series' engine lineup truly caters to a broad spectrum of performance preferences, maintaining the brand's heritage of combining luxury with dynamic driving capabilities.
Fuel economy is another area where the 2018 BMW 5 Series commands attention. The 530i model, equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, offers an impressive EPA-estimated 24 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. The more powerful 540i with its 3.0-liter inline-six engine delivers an EPA-estimated 21 MPG in city driving and 30 MPG on the highway. Even the high-performance M550i xDrive provides a reasonable fuel efficiency rating considering its robust power output, with an EPA-estimated 16 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The plug-in hybrid 530e iPerformance variant takes fuel efficiency to the next level, offering an EPA-estimated 72 MPG equivalent in combined driving when utilizing both gas and electric power. These figures stand testament to BMW's commitment to providing a balance of power and practicality, ensuring that drivers don't have to sacrifice fuel efficiency for exhilarating performance.
The 2018 BMW 5 Series achieved the highest rating of 'Good' in all crashworthiness tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and was named a 2018 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, and an array of airbags. Moreover, all models come with BMW’s Active Protection System that detects imminent accidents and prepares the vehicle by automatically pretensioning safety belts, closing windows and moonroof, and post-crash braking.
Optional advanced safety features include blind-spot detection, lane departure warning, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, and city collision mitigation. Also available is the Active Driving Assistant Plus package, which adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, active lane keeping assistant with side collision avoidance, and Traffic Jam Assistant. This suite of features underscores the 2018 BMW 5 Series' commitment to ensuring driver and passenger safety, offering peace of mind along with a luxury driving experience.
And there you have it! The 2018 BMW 5 Series is your dream date. With its suave looks and well-dressed interior, it's like having George Clooney for a night out on the town. The power options range from a frisky four-cylinder to a V-8 that thinks it's on the Autobahn, making this series a buffet of performance choices. And for the eco-minded, it even offers a plug-in hybrid variant.
However, it's not solely about aesthetics and power; this BMW also boasts intelligence. The technology integrated into it is akin to having your own personal Jarvis from Iron Man, albeit without the sardonic charm. Concerned about safety? Rest assured - the 2018 BMW 5 Series comes equipped with an array of features that would impress even Volvo. If this car were any safer, it would arrive encased in airbag-equipped bubble wrap.
So, do we recommend it? Absolutely! The 2018 BMW 5 Series is more than just an automobile; it's a testament, a way of life. It's akin to declaring, "I've arrived, and I've done so with impeccable style and an exhaust note that could calm a grizzly bear." Let's be candid, if the 2018 BMW 5 Series were a person, it would be the life of the party, the belle of the ball, the epitome of excellence. The only real question is - are you prepared to join in the festivities?
