For a total of 288 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque in the 530e, BMW combines a four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor, which is 40 more than in the previous model year. The 530e has an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels, but you can also purchase it with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive technology.
I appreciate plug-in hybrids’ dual functionality since it allows me to go short distances in the comfort of a gas engine while still cruising around town in electric mode. It’s unfortunate that the 530e’s EPA-rated all-electric range is only 21 miles. The smaller 330e, which employs the same powerplant, has a slightly greater range. While the bigger X5 PHEV has a longer driving range and more power.
In This Article...
A well-built interior with customization options for clients
The inside, which might be thought of as a more subdued version of the opulent 7-Series, makes daily commutes and driving a joy. Fortunately, there is a large variety of interior color tones available for you to select from. You won’t have any trouble accessing any of the controls because they are all ergonomically arranged.
The key selling point and distinguishing feature of a plug-in hybrid 530e is unquestionably its partially battery-driven powertrain, which guarantees a decent balance of athletic flair and fuel efficiency.
The combined output of the 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline engine and electric motor is 288 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. These figures are sufficient to achieve a 0–60 mph time in slightly under 6 seconds. Every time it shifts, the eight-speed automatic transmission does so fast and accurately. The 5-Series is a fantastic car in large part due to its smooth powertrain and superbly polished transmission. Additionally, paddle shifters are available to give you the flexibility to manually swap gears whenever the whim strikes.
The 530e, like any other PHEV, has an electric-only range that is projected to be between 35 and 37 miles under optimal driving circumstances. Thanks in part to its fantastic 8-speed transmission, you won’t even notice when the drivetrain switches between electric and petrol. Battery control mode, which uses the engine’s power to charge the EV battery, also lets you charge the battery while you’re moving. On the other hand, you will have to forgo fuel efficiency.
The 530e surprises someone who is testing it out for the first time since it seems unexpectedly lively, almost as nice as a fully electric car in EV mode. The 530e has a combined fuel economy rating of 64 mpg (city and highway), which is only true when the EV battery is completely charged. Otherwise, anticipate a sharp decline in this number, particularly for lengthier travels.
There are some drawbacks to being a PHEV 5-Series as well, which become especially evident when you thoroughly investigate it. Don’t get me wrong, the 530e has all the power you would expect from a BMW; it’s just that the steering feels a little disjointed and the fuel savings from the batteries and electric motor are minimal on longer trips. The 530i (standard gas powered) would be suitable for many prospective purchasers if fuel efficiency is a top priority because it is still rated at 25 City & 33 Highway. Also, partly as a result of its lighter curb weight, the 530i is more enjoyable and maneuverable to drive. Last but not least, the 21 miles of electric-only range simply isn’t enough to persuade most buyers to buy a more expensive 5-Series.
Overall, the $57,200 base price of the 2021 BMW 530e is a wonderful deal for a vehicle that provides a thrilling ride without doing any damage to the environment. Being a BMW luxury sedan, it can be highly customized thanks to a variety of optional packages, however they do have a hefty price tag. The Luxury Seating Package, the M-Sport Package, the Premium Package, and the Executive Package are a few notable packages. Aside from the M-sport package, which is only concerned with the car’s appearance, the most of these are focused on creature comforts and useful amenities.
Cons
One of the greatest big company cars for hire in the UK is the plug-in hybrid BMW 5 Series, also known as the 530e. That might sound like a bold claim, but the 5 Series has always been at the top of this class or very close to it. In plug-in hybrid form, it fully utilizes the most recent Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rates to provide sporty, opulent, and cost-effective motoring.
The executive-car experience must include long-distance comfort and highway driving prowess, and the 530e’s 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine can deliver on both counts. Its battery pack also allows for 37 miles of emissions-free driving, which makes it more convenient for short commutes around town and is better for the environment.
You’ll need a home wallbox charging port to top off the 530e’s battery in between trips if you want to take full advantage of that feature, though a three-pin socket will work just well, if not as rapidly. A three-pin socket will require five and a half hours to fully charge compared to about three and a half hours from a wallbox. The 5 Series hybrid is speedy, going from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds, and yet its CO2 emissions may be as low as 31g/km, which is why company-car tax is so low. Together, the engine and motor produce 288 horsepower of total power.
Overall, the switch from diesel to plug-in power resulted in very little of the nice things about the 5 Series being lost. This vehicle is still one of the most comfortable and one of the nicest to drive in its class. Competitors include the Volvo S90 Recharge and Mercedes E-Class hybrid, neither of which can match the handling of the BMW. The 530e is refined even when the engine is running, as is the case with all plug-in vehicles when operating in electric mode.
The 530e xDrive with four wheels feels very similar. You might not even realize that it has a slight understeer tendency advantage over the rear-drive vehicle. You’re more likely to cherish this model’s all-weather capability and added assurance-inspiring grip on slick roads.
The eight-speed automatic transmission in the 530e, which is incredibly smooth but also quick to shift when necessary, is partially responsible for the vehicle’s refinement. It’s unfortunate that the 530e’s heavier batteries prevent it from being as comfortable as its non-hybrid brothers, but it’s still one of the coziest large saloons available.
A somewhat smaller boot is the one other concession you have to make in exchange for lower emissions when compared to a conventional petrol or diesel 5 Series. The 530e’s battery is located under the boot floor, so you lose 120 liters of luggage capacity compared to those vehicles, but the 410 liters that are left are more than enough for the majority of people’s demands.
In the end, the 530e is probably going to be a pricey proposition for retail purchasers, but the significant fuel savings it could offer might make the extra cost justifiable. Business customers will save significantly more annually on BiK compared to a 520d, in addition to the car’s lower operating expenses, making it appealing to them. The 530e is one of the best variations of one of the best executive vehicles in the world, if the math makes sense to you.
Check out our twin test against the Mercedes E-Class and our in-depth analysis of the BMW 530e.
our triple test against the hybrid Audi A6 and Volvo S90, or continue reading our in-depth assessment by clicking below…
Range, MPG, and CO2 emissions for the BMW 530e hybrid
The official pure-electric range of the BMW 530e is between 32 and 37 miles, which is comparable to most plug-in hybrid competitors (depending on particular specifications). In practice, cooler weather or traveling on the freeway will likely result in you seeing roughly 25 miles, while warm weather will cause that distance to increase.
The BMW can keep the battery’s charge until you’re ready to use it, like the majority of plug-in vehicles. Furthermore, it includes a unique feature that enables you to hold a particular amount of energy. On quicker highways, when the gasoline engine will provide the highest fuel economy, it makes sense to do this. For city driving, where electric motors are most effective, you can then revert to the all-electric “Max eDrive” mode.
After the charge is gone, the fuel economy you get can disappoint. With varying usage, the 530e only achieved 29 mpg. You won’t perform much better in the Mercedes E 300 e than that.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Extremely so. Also keep in mind that it was among the first to embrace electricity with the i3 and i8. Another vehicle that follows similar road is the 5 Series, however it is a plug-in hybrid with a 12kWh battery powering a 94bhp electric motor and a four-cylinder petrol engine. Yes, you read that correctly. Even BMW calls a four-cylinder engine a something-dash-30.
BMW has cleverly installed the electric motor upstream from the transmission, which means you’ll feel gearchanges even when the vehicle is in electric mode, eliminating the need for a torque converter. final outcome They have reduced weight, which is important for these hefty plug-in hybrids.
30 miles, which is comparable to most competitors. There is an Electric mode on the drive choose, which means the car will stay in that setting for as long as the battery lasts because this is a fourth generation battery, whose capacity has been increased from 9kWh to the present (sorry…) 12kWh. You may set it up in that mode so that you can get the most range feasible by switching frills like the heated seats to an environmental setting. Imagine it as your own personal technological hair shirt for blustery mornings.
Additionally, there is a useful display that shows you how far you’ve gone in electric-only mode, so you might start hypermiling every day. The good part is that when the gasoline kicks in, the transition from electric to regular hybrid is seamless. Since everything is so well-designed, it can often be difficult to discern what is operating.
It doesn’t feel underpowered thanks to its 249 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, and the electric motor nicely fills in any torque gaps, but it’s obviously more geared for leisure than any kind of bahnstorming sports sedan. Even on some terrible roads, the launch car’s adaptive suspension (PS985 option) offers a smooth ride that rarely gets jarred, but it’s more somber than enjoyable. The BMW plug-in 330e is a better option if you’re looking for the latter.
The 530e does, however, excel at grip. You would assume there was some sort of four-wheel drive sorcery going on since it feels so neutral and grounded.