The middle child model in BMW’s 5 Series family, the 535i offers a plush motoring experience for five along with a fine balance of power and efficiency. The current generation of this midsize sedan emphasizes luxury over sport, but can still be equipped to satisfy spirited drivers.
BWM has expanded the lineup to include Luxury and Modern trim lines. The exterior receives minor styling enhancements. Navigation is now standard, and you can get a rear entertainment system and concierge services for the first time.
The 535i is powered by a turbocharged 3-liter six-cylinder good for 302 horsepower. Rear-drive models come with a standard six-speed manual transmission, although most buyers choose the available eight-speed automatic. The auto is mandatory with the optional xDrive all-wheel drive system.
The 535i starts out with 18-inch wheels, 10-way power leather seats with driver memory, adjustable driving settings, wood interior trim, a sunroof, navigation, Bluetooth phone and audio, and a 10-speaker sound system with CD and HD radio.
There are three optional trim lines this year:
Any model can be equipped with a number of option packages:
There’s also a vast selection of individual options, including adaptive cruise control, an automated parallel parking system, infrared night vision, four-zone climate control and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.
If you intend to take passengers on long trips, the Luxury Seating Package with its exceptionally comfortable multi-contour seats is money well spent. We also like the Dynamic Handling Package, which provides tauter handling without the aggressive styling touches of the full-blown M Sport, which seems overdone for a luxury sedan of this size.
