2024 BMW 5 Series 520i Review

In recent years, competition in the executive sedan market in Malaysia has become increasingly intense. When choosing a car, consumers value luxury quality, as well as higher requirements for power efficiency and intelligent features. As a core contender in this market segment, the 2024 BMW 520i comes equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system, an upgraded intelligent cockpit, and a more elongated body, with its core selling point focused on providing "a balanced luxury experience." The purpose of this test drive is to see whether it can truly meet Malaysian consumers' expectations for an executive sedan in daily commuting, family outings, and occasional highway driving.

Seeing the car in person for the first time, the exterior of the 2024 520i is more imposing compared to the previous generation. The body length reaches 5060mm with a wheelbase of 2900mm. The side profile extends smoothly and gracefully from the front to the rear, showcasing the typical posture of an executive sedan. The front features moderately sized kidney grilles that are not overly enlarged, paired with sharp LED headlight clusters that are highly recognizable; the daytime running lights inside the headlights adopt BMW’s signature double-L design, creating a crisp lighting effect. The sleek, long LED taillights at the rear complement the headlights, and the chrome trim at the lower rear bumper enhances its exquisite feel. The overall design is composed yet not monotonous.

Upon entering the car, the interior strikes a good balance between luxury and technology. The center console is wrapped in soft-touch materials paired with metallic trim, offering a delicate touch. The 14.9-inch curved infotainment screen is the focal point, integrating the iDrive 8.0 system. It is smooth to operate and supports both voice and gesture controls. A HUD (head-up display) comes standard, projecting navigation and speed information directly onto the windshield, allowing the driver to keep their eyes on the road. The steering wheel is electrically adjustable with memory function, and its multi-functional buttons are logically arranged; the addition of paddle shifters adds a bit of driving fun. Regarding the seats, the front seats are power-adjustable with memory for the driver, and the cushioning is moderately firm, offering sufficient support so that even long drives are not tiring. The rear space is spacious, and with a 175cm-tall passenger seated, there are still over two fist-widths of legroom. The slight floor hump in the center is not too high, so seating a third person temporarily in the middle doesn’t feel overly cramped. The air conditioning system features dual-zone automatic control, and there are independent air vents for the rear seats. Overall, the storage space is sufficient; both the door panels and center armrest box can hold a lot of items. The trunk has a capacity of 490 liters, capable of fitting two 28-inch suitcases, and the rear seats support a 40:20:40 split fold, which is convenient for occasionally accommodating longer items.

As for power, the 2024 520i is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine coupled with a 48V mild hybrid system, delivering a system total power output of 211PS and torque of 330N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-drive layout. During daily driving, the support of the mild hybrid system provides a very smooth start, with quick throttle response and no noticeable turbo lag. Switching to Sport mode offers more direct power output, with obvious thrust during acceleration. The official 0-100km/h acceleration figure is 7.5 seconds, which is slightly above average in its class. In actual tests, during overtakes, pressing the gas pedal prompts the transmission to downshift promptly, offering a seamless power connection. The smoothness of the transmission is a highlight; gear changes are almost imperceptible during normal driving, with only slight sensations of gear shifting during sharp acceleration.

In terms of handling, as a rear-wheel-drive BMW, the 520i's performance meets expectations. The steering is precise, with minimal play, light at low speeds, heavier at high speeds, and provides a good feel. The chassis features a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort while retaining a certain level of support. When going over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension filters out most vibrations, and the car body doesn't exhibit noticeable bouncing. On mountain roads, body roll is well-controlled in corners, maintaining stability and giving the driver a sense of confidence. Noise control is also on point; at 120 km/h on the highway, wind and tire noise are minimal, and the cabin remains quiet. Coupled with the Harman Kardon 12-speaker sound system, the music listening experience is excellent.

In terms of fuel consumption, our test drive mainly consisted of urban roads with a small portion on highways, and the combined fuel consumption was approximately 6.8L/100km. For a 2.0T executive sedan, this result is pretty good, outperforming many fuel-only vehicles in the same class. The mild hybrid system indeed demonstrates an energy-saving effect.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2024 BMW 520i are clear: balanced design, sufficient power, comfortable driving experience, and rich configurations—practical features like 360-degree panoramic imaging, ACC adaptive cruise control, and HUD are all standard. Compared to its competitors like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6L in the same class, its configuration offers higher value for money. Who is this car suitable for? Firstly, families emphasizing luxury and driving experience, as the rear space and comfort are ample and perfectly suited for daily family use. Secondly, customers who need a vehicle for business purposes, as the understated exterior and luxurious interior project a professional image. Finally, young people who love BMW's driving dynamics, as the rear-wheel-drive layout and precise handling can satisfy occasional driving pleasures.

All in all, the 2024 BMW 520i has no obvious shortcomings, making it a well-balanced and comprehensive executive sedan. While maintaining BMW's driving DNA, it also takes luxury and practicality into account. For consumers pursuing an "all-around" option, it's definitely a worthy choice to consider.