2023 BMW 5 Series Revealed | Price, Specs & Release Date

The all-new 2023 BMW 5 Series is due to go on sale in the UK in October and will feature both petrol and pure electric options thanks to the new i5 model.

BMW has revealed the latest model update, the 2023 BMW 5 Series. The 5 Series is now in the eighth generation of its life and BMW has made a big to the range change by adding the all-electric i5 into the mix. The new 5 Series and i5 will both come in saloon and Touring estate models, with the latter available sometime in 2024.

The new 5 Series has had a facelift but not to the drastic measure as the 4 Series did with its giant kidney grilles. Instead, the 5 Series is more in line with BMWs traditional small but wide grille styling. 

From the get-go, the saloon will be available in the form of a petrol mild-hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. This time there are no diesel models, as BMW and many other manufacturers are dropping them.

New 2023 BMW 5 Series Design and Styling

This time BMW has steered clear of the controversial large kidney grills that made the 4 Series so contentious. We're back with traditional smaller split grilles that look like the BMW we remember.

The front of the new 5 Series is sharp and sleek while the back has received some treatment to make it less boxy and to hide the bulk (the 5 Series was always a large saloon). The black rear bumper and black sills do an excellent job of hiding the aforementioned bulk, while the slim lights help it to maintain a sharp look.

If anything, the new 2023 5 Series is classic BMW, as opposed to them trying out new styles with the likes of the 2, 4 and 7 Series (as well as the new i4 and iX SUVs). This will surely appeal to the purists of the brand.

New 2023 BMW 5 Series Interior, Equipment and Infotainment

BMW is offering the usual refinements when it comes to the interior and equipment. You get the double-screen layout which features both the infotainment system and digital cockpit. Thanks to the integration of the two screens it looks like one giant screen put together.

The driver's display screen measures 12.3 inches while the infotainment touchscreen comes out at 14.9 inches. Across the dashboard is BMW's new 'Interaction Bar', which is essentially a large backlit control panel that runs all the way across the front from the driver to the passenger. This bar hosts the seat and ventilation settings for both driver and passenger. It also looks very futuristic!

BMW has opted to change the traditional gear stick selector to a circular toggle instead. This cleans up the central console a bit more and makes shifting a bit easier (at least we think so).

Trim-wise, the range starts off with the M Sport model. Previously there were a couple of trims before the M Sport, which was considered the top of the range. But BMW has done some research into what trim is bought the most in the UK and has opted to start the M Sport as the default. 

Either way, the M Sport trim is loaded anyway with 18-inch sport alloys, sports seats, a heated driver's seat, a Harman Kardon stereo system, wireless phone charging, interior ambient lighting and high-beam assist.

You can upgrade to the M Sport Pro trim to get an illuminated front grille, an uprated audio system, a rear spoiler and larger alloys with red-painted brake calipers. 

Also available is a host of packs such as the Comfort and Comfort Pro Pack. These contain features like a heated steering wheel and our-zone air conditioning. There's also the Tech Pack and Tech Pack Plus that feature Driving Assistant Pro and Parking Assistant Pro.

You can also add individual features such as a premium Bowers & Wilkins audio system, sun-protection glass, adaptive suspension and sun blinds. But these will of course bump the price.

New 2023 BMW 5 Series Engines and Performance

The UK launch will feature a single petrol (no diesel) mild hybrid engine. It's rear-wheel drive, badged as the 520i sDrive and features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that has 48-volt mild hybrid assistance. 

This is enough to give the 520i sDrive 205 bhp and 330 Nm of torque, which will propel it from 0 to 62 mph in just 7.5 seconds. Fairly great numbers for something so big and heavy. BMW says it will average around 44.1 to 49.6 mpg.

BMW says a PHEV (plug-in hybrid) will be available sometime in 2024. And a pure electric model known as the 'i5' will also come out around the same time frame. 

New 2023 BMW 5 Series Specs

BMW 520i

• Max Power (hp): 208
• Peak Torque (Nm): 330
• Acceleration (0-62mph): 7.5 seconds
• Top Speed (mph): 143
• Electric Range (WLTP): N/A
• CO2 Emissions (WLTP): 144 - 130 g/km
• Fuel Consumption (WLTP): 44.14 - 49.56 mpg

BMW i5 eDrive40

• Max Power (hp): 340
• Peak Torque (Nm): 430
• Acceleration (0-62mph): 6.0 seconds
• Top Speed (mph): 120
• Electric Range (WLTP): 296 - 361 miles
• CO2 Emissions (WLTP): N/A
• Fuel Consumption (WLTP): N/A

BMW i5 M60 xDrive

• Max Power (hp): 601
• Peak Torque (Nm): 820
• Acceleration (0-62mph): 3.8 seconds
• Top Speed (mph): 143
• Electric Range (WLTP): 282 - 320 miles
• CO2 Emissions (WLTP): N/A
• Fuel Consumption (WLTP): N/A

New 2023 BMW 5 Series Prices

BMW 520i

• Retail Price: £48,850

BMW i5 eDrive40

• Retail Price: £73,200

BMW i5 M60 xDrive

• Retail Price: £96,840

New 2023 BMW 5 Series Release Date

The 2023 BMW 5 Series saloon is due to release in October 2023.

The 5 Series Touring Estate, plug-in hybrid engines and the all-electric i5 variants are to release sometime in 2024.