Serving as the starting point into BMW’s 5 Series of midsize luxury sedans, the 528i offers comfort and technology as expected in this league, at a comparatively accessible price. With its 240-horsepower four-cylinder engine, the 528i prioritizes traditional virtues over full-bore performance.
Not only does BMW’s 5 Series wind up on a lot of “best-of” lists, this sedan outsells its main competitors. Driving dynamics beat most rivals, and you can expect plenty of BMW-brand driving pleasure.
What's New for 2016
Essentially a carryover, the 528i gets a slightly altered front fascia and other exterior updates, plus a modest price rise. Enhanced USB and Bluetooth are now standard, including Mobile Office and an additional microphone. A power tailgate is newly available as a standalone option.
Choosing Your BMW 528i
In the 528i, a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine develops 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, driving an eight-speed automatic transmission. An automatic stop/start function, which can shut off the engine at stoplights, improves fuel efficiency.
The rear-drive 528i gets an estimate of 23 mpg city/34 mpg highway (27 mpg combined), which should please the most frugal luxury-car drivers. With all-wheel drive, the estimate drops slightly to 22/34 mpg (city/highway), or 26 mpg combined. Selectable modes let you alter throttle, steering, and transmission responses.
Starting at $51,295, the rear-wheel-drive 528i comes with leatherette seating, 10-way power front seats with driver memory, a sunroof, navigation system, wood interior trim, remote keyless entry, hill-start assist and hill holder, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a 10-speaker sound system with CD player and HD radio. Alloy wheels hold 17-inch run-flat tires.
With BMW's all-wheel-drive system, the sticker price rises by $2,300.
Luxury Line and M Sport Line option packages are offered:
- Luxury has 18-inch multi-spoke wheels, more exterior chrome accents, and special interior trim possibilities.
- M Sport ($3,250) has a sport-tuned suspension, aerodynamic body kit, 18-inch double-spoke wheels, and specific M Sport trim. Staggered wheels are available, holding run-flat performance tires. M Sport can be an appealing upgrade for buyers who are tempted by a potent M5 but don’t care to pay the price for that level of excitement.
Many additional option groups are available:
- Premium Package includes leather upholstery, satellite radio, keyless entry, and a hands-free power trunk lid.
- Luxury Seating Package adds multi-contour active front seats with ventilation.
- Cold Weather Package has heated seats in both front and rear, a heated steering wheel, and headlight washers.
- Lighting Package includes full LED adaptive headlights with automatic high-beam control.
- Driver Assistance Package includes a rearview camera, Park Distance Control, and head-up display.
- Driver Assistance Plus ($1,700) adds blind-spot monitoring, lane departure and forward collision warnings, surround-view cameras, and city collision mitigation.
Individual options include an automated parallel-parking system, infrared night vision, premium Bang Olufsen sound, heated front seats, and active steering.
Compare the 528i’s standard equipment to rivals, and the $51,000-plus price starts to sound comparatively reasonable. We’d opt for the addition of a Premium package to show off the 528i sedan’s basic character, which seems to cry for genuine leather seats and other amenities. In terms of safety, the Driver Assistance package – or better yet, Driver Assistance Plus – delivers plenty of driving security for the extra cost. Guard your wallet, though; those extra-cost option groups add up fast.