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2021 BMW 5 Series: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2021 BMW 5 Series gets a mid-cycle refresh, led by reshaped front and rear styling and a larger standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. The 530e plug-in hybrid also gains power and an extra-power function for Sport mode.
About the 2021 BMW 5 Series
7th generation (G30, 2017-2023), mid-cycle refresh year.
The 2021 BMW 5 Series is BMW’s midsize luxury sedan for drivers who want a roomy, quiet daily car that still feels sharper and more responsive than most rivals. BMW sells it on the mix of strong powertrains, composed highway comfort, useful technology, and a wide spread of personalities—from a conventional 530i to a plug-in hybrid 530e, a smoother six-cylinder 540i, and the V8-powered M550i xDrive.
The 530i serves as the straightforward four-cylinder luxury sedan, while the smoother 335-hp 540i adds stronger passing power. The 530e offers a 288-hp plug-in hybrid system, and the M550i xDrive tops this range with a 523-hp V8, all-wheel drive, and upgraded performance hardware.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The 530e and 530e xDrive plug-in hybrids increase to 288 horsepower and gain XtraBoost, which provides a brief extra burst of power in Sport mode. They also receive an 8-speed Sport automatic transmission.
Styling
BMW redesigns the front end, exterior lighting, and rear styling across the sedan lineup.
Safety
Adaptive full LED headlights and automatic high beams become standard across the lineup.
Tech
A 12.3-inch center touchscreen with navigation becomes standard as part of the digital cockpit. Android Auto joins wireless Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM 360L also becomes standard.
2021 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 Sport w/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 | 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 | 25 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 17 mpg | ||
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 32 mpg | 32 mpg | 31 mpg | 25 mpg | ||
| Horsepower | 248 hp | 335 hp | 248 hp | 335 hp | 523 hp | ||
| Torque | 257 lb-ft | 257 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 257 lb-ft | 257 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 553 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 10 cu-ft | 14 cu-ft | 14 cu-ft | 10 cu-ft | 14 cu-ft | 14 cu-ft | 14 cu-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 | 19 | 19 | |||||
| MPGe Combined | 64 | 62 | |||||
| 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 | |||||||
| Bluetooth | |||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||
| USB Ports | |||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | |||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | |||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series significantly different from the 2020 model?
Yes. The 2021 5 Series receives a meaningful mid-cycle refresh with revised exterior styling, a larger standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, upgraded standard lighting, and a stronger 530e plug-in hybrid system.
Does the 2021 BMW 5 Series have Android Auto?
Yes. Android Auto becomes standard for 2021 alongside wireless Apple CarPlay, and every trim receives the larger 12.3-inch center touchscreen with navigation.
What changed on the 2021 BMW 530e plug-in hybrid?
The 2021 BMW 530e increases to 288 horsepower and gains XtraBoost for a brief extra burst of power in Sport mode. It also receives the refreshed styling, larger touchscreen, Android Auto, upgraded lighting, and an 8-speed Sport automatic transmission.
What lighting upgrades does the 2021 BMW 5 Series receive?
Adaptive full LED headlights and automatic high beams become standard across the 2021 BMW 5 Series lineup. The exterior lighting design is also revised as part of the refresh.
Does the 2021 BMW 540i have standard leather seats?
No. Leather seats change from standard to optional equipment on the 2021 540i and 540i xDrive.
2021 BMW 5 Series Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 BMW 5 Series.
4.3
2021 BMW 5 Series
(897 reviews)
“This car is the perfect hybrid of comfort, practicality for every day driving, great safety features, styling, with amazing handling and great fun to drive. I look forward to driving it every day!”
“It's vehicle that doesn't make you think about what you need to do in driving the vehicle. It's very intuitive.”