BMW 5 Series

Name: 2012 BMW 5 Series
Brand: BMW

EPA MPG: 23 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 23 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

There's a reason so many people aspire to own a BMW 5 Series, and this car won't disappoint. Handling is taut and agile, though the sedan has evolved to focus on luxury and refinement rather than overtly sporty driving. Its steering has lost some of the feel we've come to associate with previous 5 Series. The ride is comfortable and steady and the cabin is quiet. Its turbocharged engines are smooth and powerful, whether you opt for the four-cylinder in the 528i or the effortless six-cylinder unit in the 535i we tested. These engines are all super smooth, responsive and fuel-efficient. The eight-speed automatic shifts imperceptibly. Hybrid, diesel, and super-high horsepower M versions are available. All-wheel-drive is optional.

2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

BMW 5 Series

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

BMW vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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BMW vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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BMW vs. Other New Car Brands

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2012 Luxury midsized cars Ratings

2012 BMW 5 Series

$6,325 - $8,200

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Acura RL

$6,450 - $7,550

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Acura TL

$7,250 - $8,450

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Audi A6

$3,425 - $6,975

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Audi A7

$7,300 - $8,825

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Audi S4

$9,925

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 BMW 6 Series

$7,600 - $9,875

EPA MPG NA

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2012 Buick LaCrosse

$5,775 - $6,225

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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2012 Cadillac CTS

$4,475 - $22,100

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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2012 Fisker Karma

$ NA

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2012 Infiniti M

$4,900 - $7,775

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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2012 Jaguar XF

$4,375 - $5,800

EPA MPG NA

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2012 Lexus ES

$10,200

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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2012 Lexus GS

$ NA

EPA MPG 26 mpg

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2012 Lincoln MKS

$6,275 - $7,150

EPA MPG 20 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Lincoln MKZ

$4,900 - $5,950

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS

$8,100 - $13,000

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

$5,975 - $12,925

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volvo S80

$5,250 - $5,975

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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2012 Volvo XC70

$5,625 - $7,950

EPA MPG NA

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Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Rear

2-liter 4 turbo (240 hp)
3-liter 6 plugin hybrid (335 hp)
3-liter 6 turbo (300 hp)
4.4-liter V8 turbo (400 hp)

8-speed automatic
6-speed manual

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Model History

2024-Present

Current Generation

The redesigned 5 Series is larger than its predecessor, and has lightly smoothed-out styling. For the first time ever, the 5 Series is available with both gasoline and all-electric powertrains. Gasoline engine options are either a 255-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or a 375-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The single-motor i5 eDrive40 produces 335 hp, and the two-motor M60 xDrive makes 590 hp. BMW estimated 295 miles of driving range for the rear-wheel drive, and up to 256 miles for the all-wheel drive. The interior is luxurious and high-tech, and features an all-digital instrument display and a massive 14.9-inch center touchscreen. The back seat and trunk are generously sized. A full suite of active safety and driver assistance features is standard. Updates for 2025 included a new M5 Touring model that's powered by a 4.4-liter, 717-hp, plug-in hybrid V8. "Touring" is BMW-speak for wagon. BMW claims this hot rod wagon will deliver about 25 miles of all-electric driving.

2017-2023

2017 Redesign Year

BMW focused on adding technology and on sharpening the handling of the 2017 5 Series redesign. The midsized luxury sedan is essentially the same size as the outgoing model, but BMW says it's lighter by 220 pounds and the rear seat and the trunk are marginally roomier. Engines include a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 248 hp in the 530i and a 335-hp, 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder in the 540i, both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional but standard on the V8-powered 550i. A 530e plug-in hybrid is also available. BMW's gesture control, which lets occupants wave their hands to operate certain control functions, is optional. For 2021 the 5 Series got a mild freshening that brought the latest iDrive infotainment system. Android Auto is now compatible. The 530e plug-in hybrid became more powerful. The latest update also brought a mild hybrid set up for the 540i, and the high performance, track ready M5 returns.

2011-2016

2011 Redesign Year

With the 2011 redesign, the 5 Series BMW grew larger and sacrificed a lot of its handling precision. Steering is vague and the car tends to understeer at its limits. However, fit and finish are still excellent, the engines remain powerful and refined, and the eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly. The cabin is also comfortable and roomy with excellent seats. The iDrive system has been somewhat simplified over the years, making it a bit more user-friendly. We think you won't be disappointed with the basic 528i, with or without all-wheel-drive. If you can afford it, the slick six-cylinder in the 535i is a worthy upgrade. Anything more strikes us as overkill. New four-cylinder, diesel, and hybrid variants debuted in 2012, 2013, and 2014 respectively.

2004-2010

2004 Redesign Year

Prior to the introduction of this model, the BMW 5 Series had been ranked as CR's best car tested for two years. While this edition of the car flaunts slightly improved fuel economy and more room for rear-seat passengers, some of the agility of the previous generation is gone. Further, many of our testers find the iDrive multifunction control system to be less than intuitive, which detracts from their overall impression of the car. With it, some of the more involved audio and climate functions are distracting, because you frequently need to shift your eyes between the road and the display. The instruments are clear however and most of the logically placed conventional controls are lighted at night. While we still like the car, we think less of it than we did before.

1997-2003

1997 Redesign Year

Most luxury cars aren't sporty, and most sporty cars aren't luxurious. BMW's excellent 5-Series--available in both sedan and wagon forms--manages to be both. These cars handle nimbly and ride very comfortably and quietly. The seats are exceptionally comfortable and supportive, and interior detailing is flawless. Braking is excellent, and traction- and stability-control systems help maintain directional stability on slippery roads. The 525i and 530i employ invigorating inline Sixes, while the 540i uses a punchy, refined V8. The automatic transmission is extremely smooth and responsive in all versions. The line-topping M5 is an ultra-high-performance model with a price to match.