“It is a very good car. The engine is powerful and smooth. On a good piece of tarmac with the transmission in sport mode, it is a great drive. I have identified only two flaws: in comfort mode the transmission is indecisive and the ride is compromised by the run-flat tires.”
2020 BMW 5 Series: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The most important change for the 2020 BMW 5 Series is that Live Cockpit Professional with built-in navigation and Connected Package Professional are standard across the lineup. It is otherwise a light-update year, with notable upgrades for the 530e plug-in hybrid and M550i xDrive.
About the 2020 BMW 5 Series
7th generation (G30), fourth model year, final pre-facelift year before the 2021 refresh.
BMW positions the 5 Series as an executive sport sedan: a midsize luxury car that blends long-distance comfort, upscale cabin design, and stronger driver engagement than many rivals. In this lineup, the 530i is the everyday luxury choice, the 530e adds plug-in commuting ability, the 540i brings smoother six-cylinder power, and the M550i xDrive turns the formula into a very fast sport sedan without giving up the 5 Series’ core comfort and technology focus.
The 2020 lineup ranges from the everyday four-cylinder 530i to the smoother six-cylinder 540i, while xDrive versions add all-wheel drive. The 530e serves as the plug-in hybrid, and the M550i xDrive is the performance-focused model with a 523-hp V8, all-wheel drive, a sport rear differential, and Harman Kardon audio. All versions have built-in navigation, keyless entry, parking sensors, a rearview camera, and driver aids that include blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision warning.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The 530e and 530e xDrive plug-in hybrids received a larger 12-kWh battery. The M550i xDrive’s twin-turbo V8 increased from 455 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque to 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, and BMW added an M Sport rear differential. The diesel-powered 540d xDrive was dropped.
Tech
Live Cockpit Professional with built-in navigation and Connected Package Professional became standard across the lineup. Proximity keyless entry became standard on the 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, and 540i xDrive, while the lineup-wide Park Assist feature moved from standard to optional.
2020 BMW 5 Series specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 6-Cyl, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 6-Cyl, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V8, Twin Turbo, 4.4 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd Adaptive w/Steptronic, Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Adaptive w/Steptronic, Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Plug-In Hybrid | Gas | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | 24 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | ||
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 30 mpg | 31 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | ||
| Horsepower | 248 hp | 335 hp | 248 hp | 335 hp | 523 hp | ||
| Torque | 255 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 255 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 553 lb-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36.5 in | 36.5 in | 36.5 in | 36.5 in | 36.5 in | 36.5 in | 36.5 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 21 | 19 | |||||
| MPGe Combined | 69 | 65 | |||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||
| Park Assist | |||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||
| 360 Camera | |||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||
| Aluminum Interior Trim | |||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||
| Memory Front Seats | |||||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | |||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | |||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 BMW 5 Series a redesign?
No. The 2020 BMW 5 Series is a light-update model and the final year before the larger styling and technology refresh for 2021.
What is the biggest change to the 2020 BMW 5 Series?
The biggest change is standard Live Cockpit Professional with built-in navigation and Connected Package Professional across the full 2020 lineup.
What changed on the 2020 BMW 530e plug-in hybrid?
The 2020 BMW 530e received a larger 12-kWh battery, standard built-in navigation, connected services, and keyless entry. BMW also shortened the trim name from 530e iPerformance to 530e, with the all-wheel-drive version changing from 530e xDrive iPerformance to 530e xDrive.
How did the 2020 BMW M550i xDrive change?
The 2020 M550i xDrive gained a much stronger V8 producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, up from 455 hp and 480 lb-ft. It also received an M Sport rear differential, standard heated front seats, built-in navigation, and connected services.
Does the 2020 BMW 5 Series have a diesel model?
No. BMW dropped the diesel-powered 540d xDrive from the 5 Series lineup for 2020.
2020 BMW 5 Series Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 BMW 5 Series.
4.4
2020 BMW 5 Series
(343 reviews)
“BMW is awesome vehicle with great safety technology, quiet, handles extremely well, smooth ride and has great passing ability.”
“The 530i is a great car if your looking for a quality luxury vehicle. The safety and performance is unmatched by any of its competitors.”