Skip advert
Advertisement

(F10) BMW 5 Series review - (2010-2016) - Interior and tech

BMW’s 5 Series: so good, it’s all the car you’d ever need

Evo rating
RRP
from £31,115
  • Great engines, superb chassis, lovely interior
  • Bland exterior styling, very common now

Interior and Tech

A spacious car, the Five is essentially a shrunken 7 Series, although its rear-drive transmission tunnel does make the centre rear chair a less comfortable place to be. Nevertheless, four adults should fit in comfort in any 5 Series, while the GT is best specified with the two individual, adjustable seats in the back, rather than the ‘4+1’ arrangement otherwise offered. The quality, fit and aesthetics of all Fives’ interiors are first rate, while iDrive is the best infotainment control there is in the automotive world – at any price point. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The boot space on all models is acceptable but not class-leading. The saloon offers 520 litres (except for the hybrid, at 375 litres), while the Touring’s cargo area is 560 litres seats up and 1670 with them folded; think of it as more of a lifestyle estate. The GT offers 500 litres. 

All Fives enjoy 'EfficientDynamics' fuel-saving technology, a wealth of standard-fit and optional electronic driver aids and the sort of high-tech cost options that wouldn’t disgrace a Bentley. One slight complaint often mentioned for the cabin is offset pedals, particularly in the manual, although we’ve never had a problem with the Five’s driving position.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Porsche ditches Bugatti as tensions with Mate Rimac come to a head
Bugatti Tourbillon – side
News

Porsche ditches Bugatti as tensions with Mate Rimac come to a head

Mate Rimac joins forces with investment firm to take full control of hypercar company
24 Apr 2026
I fell in love with the Honda Civic Type R, until it started fighting me
Civic Type R interior
Opinion

I fell in love with the Honda Civic Type R, until it started fighting me

Porter can tolerate the tsunami of active safety features, but not their inaccuracy
23 Apr 2026
Jaguar Project 8 (2018-2019) review – how to make a BMW M5 CS look tame
Jaguar XE SV Project 8 front
In-depth reviews

Jaguar Project 8 (2018-2019) review – how to make a BMW M5 CS look tame

The XE SV Project 8 is the wildest creation to come out of Jaguar’s 5-litre V8 era and a unicorn of a type that will not be repeated
24 Apr 2026