Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 5-series review - is this the best saloon in the world? - MPG and running costs

BMW's most complete 5-series ever, there are almost no compromises in this exceptional executive.

Evo rating
RRP
from £37
  • Where to start? Powertrains, supremely competent handling and exceptional build quality
  • Feels big on the road, drab styling.

MPG and running costs

BMW’s impressive MPG figures are entirely due to tireless work removing weight and refining the drivetrains. The 520d is available in two specifications, the standard car being able to reach a combined figure of 68.9 mpg. For company car buyers, or those wanting to hand over as little as possible tax, an ED or EfficientDynamics model will hit an even more impressive 72.4mpg, while only just skimming over 100g/km.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The 530d is just as impressive, if not more so when it’s relative performance capability is taken into consideration. Able to reach up to 62.8mpg on the combined cycle, it’s mightily impressive. Petrol versions unsurprisingly don’t hit quite the same heights with 51.4 and 40.9mpg for the 530i and 540i respectively. The 530e iPerformance runs at 149mpg on paper, but like most plug-in hybrids, this figure is heavily dependent on how much electric charge is in the batteries at any one point and your resulting level of reliance on the internal combustion engine.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Used car deals of the week: a Ferrari F12 for supersaloon money
F12 Used car deals
News

Used car deals of the week: a Ferrari F12 for supersaloon money

We dive into the classifieds this week to find the very best performance cars for the least amount of money, including a cut-price V12 Ferrari
13 Feb 2026
2027 Range Rover spied – Land Rover’s luxury icon sharpens up
Range Rover prototype
News

2027 Range Rover spied – Land Rover’s luxury icon sharpens up

The fifth-generation Range Rover is due a mid-life facelift soon. We’ve spied it
12 Feb 2026
Abarth 695 (2012-2024) review – why we’ll miss Italy’s Mini Cooper S rival
Abarth 695 – front
Reviews

Abarth 695 (2012-2024) review – why we’ll miss Italy’s Mini Cooper S rival

The Abarth 695 (and all Abarth 500s in fact) have a sense of humour the hot hatch segment will sorely miss
13 Feb 2026