2020 BMW 5 Series Sedan

Yes, a BMW 5 Series can still carve its way through a series of acute bends with more control and while carrying greater speeds than many of its competitors. Current generations remain supremely engineered machines - it's just that it doesn't thrill in the same fashion as older BMWs once did. In our test drive, the electronically assisted steering felt muted, offering minimal feedback. However, buyers seeking ultimate refinement and that feeling of stark isolation from the outside world will appreciate it. A lack of feel aside, there is plenty of grip on offer, and oversteer only comes into play at far higher velocities than most will indulge in. There are three driving modes: Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport, with the latter adding a bit more heft to the helm, although actual feedback remains lacking.

The upside of the current suspension configuration is that the 5 Series is a properly cosseting executive sedan, with a pliant and controlled ride quality that is wonderfully relaxing when covering long distances. Typically well-damped, the suspension resists the floatiness that besets some luxury sedans. Even in the sportier M550i, this is evidently a car tuned more for comfort than thrilling dynamics.

Despite SUVs accounting for a larger percentage of BMW sales in the USA than ever before, the marque continues to deliver outstanding luxury sedans and the 2020 BMW 5 Series is no different. While this isn't a car that bowls you over the first time you see it, it's the 5 Series' remarkably consistent spread of abilities that position it at the top of the class. Not only is it supremely comfortable, but it still corners with confidence. While the interior is now a feast for technophiles, most of it remains easy and natural to use. Add in those superb powertrains, the exemplary build quality, and enough space for the family, and it's easy to see why the BMW remains a default choice in this segment. While the privilege doesn't come cheaply - and accomplished rivals like the cutting-edge Audi A6 and opulent Mercedes-Benz E-Class are deserving of consideration - the 5 Series is one of BMW's best efforts, and this latest mid-cycle update only adds to its appeal.

At an earlier stage in its life cycle than the 5 Series, the all-new BMW 3 Series is the more modern-looking and aggressive of the two. An equivalent 330i is also over $12,000 less expensive than the 530i. However, with its latest raft of tech upgrades, the 5 Series now offers the same level of functionality found in the 3. The 3 Series is the more agile handler of the two, but the 5 Series offers a much smoother ride. While the 3 Series has an edgier and more interesting cabin design, it also can't match the 5 Series for material quality. If comfort and a more sedate driving experience are high on your list of priorities, the 5 Series remains worth the extra cost over its younger brother.

These arch rivals are more evenly matched than ever before. While both are conservatively styled, the E-Class' cabin boasts a greater sense of occasion, although actual quality is on par with the 5 Series. The Benz's expansive dual-screen infotainment and instrumentation setup is certainly striking, but the BMW's ergonomics are superior. Both are spacious, provide exceptional performance, and are packed with the latest technologies. However, the 5 Series provides a better ride and handling balance in comparison, especially since the E-Class rides a bit too stiffly on its standard suspension. The E-Class also has the smaller trunk capacity of the two. Still, both represent the cream of the mid-size sedan crop, and brand loyalists of each are unlikely to be swayed.