The 2011 Volvo C30: Looks Like Somebody's Been to...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 BMW 5-Series Quality Review

June 28, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the motorized equivalent of an exclusive condominium
Washington Post

adults won't mind sitting in the commodious backseat
Autoblog

a cargo area that can carry all the family's presents to Grandma's house
The Auto Channel

Build quality and materials inside the 5 Series are still outstanding
Edmunds

The 2009 BMW 5-Series offers superior comfort for its class, though its cabin can appear a bit plain.

The Washington Post describes the 2009 BMW 5-Series wagon as "plush, the motorized equivalent of an exclusive condominium...prestigious." According to Autoblog, this BMW 2009 offers "10-way power front seats [as] standard in all models" and "supportive seating is provided in both the front and rear," adding that "even adults won't mind sitting in the commodious backseat." The New York Times considers the 5-Series to have a "cold, synthetic-looking interior" and says it "badly needs a makeover." It’s still “handsome but not as elegantly turned out as that of the new E-class,” Automobile Magazine observes. Edmunds agrees, noting “competitors offer more stylish and less austere environments.”

Kelley Blue Book reports that the 2009 BMW 5-Series 10-way adjustable seats (20-way adjustment is an option) are "the most comfortable and supportive in the class," whether one is traveling on the open freeway or curving back roads. The front seats in the 2009 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon are among the best in any luxury vehicle in this price range.

The Auto Channel attests that the 5-Series 2009 BMW wagon has "all the positives of the 5-Series sedans with the added advantage of a cargo area that can carry all the family's presents to Grandma's house for Christmas." Edmunds points out the 5-Series sedan “has 14 cubic feet of trunk capacity.”

There's little to complain about when it comes to the quality and finish 2009 BMW 5-Series' cabin. “Build quality and materials inside the 5 Series are still outstanding,” Edmunds says. Anachronistically, the 5-Series’ standard upholstery is vinyl, Automedia observes, probably a nod to its civil-service duties as a fleet machine in Germany.

Conclusion

Not everyone is happy about the layout of the 2009 BMW 5-Series interior, but it scores high for its almost absolute comfort and quiet.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:the motorized equivalent of an exclusive condominiumWashington Postadults won't mind sitting in the commodious backseatAutobloga cargo area that can carry all the family's presents to Grandma's houseThe Auto ChannelBuild quality and materials inside the 5 Series are still outstandingEdmunds The 2009 BMW 5-Series offers superior comfort for its class, though its cabin can appear a bit plain. The Washington Post describes the 2009 BMW 5-Series wagon as "plush, the motorized equivalent of an exclusive condominium...prestigious." According to Autoblog, this BMW 2009 offers "10-way power front seats [as] standard in all models" and "supportive seating is provided in both the front and rear," adding that "even adults won't mind sitting in the commodious backseat." The New York Times considers the 5-Series to have a "cold, synthetic-looking interior" and says it "badly needs a makeover." It’s still “handsome but not as elegantly turned out as that of the new E-class,” Automobile Magazine observes. Edmunds agrees, noting “competitors offer more stylish and less austere environments.” Kelley Blue Book reports that the 2009 BMW 5-Series 10-way adjustable seats (20-way adjustment is an option) are "the most comfortable and supportive in the class," whether one is traveling on the open freeway or curving back roads. The front seats in the 2009 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon are among the best in any luxury vehicle in this price range. The Auto Channel attests that the 5-Series 2009 BMW wagon has "all the positives of the 5-Series sedans with the added advantage of a cargo area that can carry all the family's presents to Grandma's house for Christmas." Edmunds points out the 5-Series sedan “has 14 cubic feet of trunk capacity.” There's little to complain about when it comes to the quality and finish 2009 BMW 5-Series' cabin. “Build quality and materials inside the 5 Series are still outstanding,” Edmunds says. Anachronistically, the 5-Series’ standard upholstery is vinyl, Automedia observes, probably a nod to its civil-service duties as a fleet machine in Germany. ConclusionNot everyone is happy about the layout of the 2009 BMW 5-Series interior, but it scores high for its almost absolute comfort and quiet. 2009 BMW 5-SERIES STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: “wolf in a flamboyant sheep's clothing,” Cars and Driver: "somewhat unconventional" Kelley Blue Book: "the overall air of firm luxury remains" The 2009 BMW 5-Series features styling that may not appeal to everyone, but it’s still ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The chief competitor to the 2009 BMW 5-Series's sedan is the Mercedes E-Class, and the Audi A6 Avant is the Sports Wagon's closest rival. The E-Class has more of an emphasis on comfort than the 5, with a roomier-feeling interior and a softer ride. The Avant only comes with the 255-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 engine, not the larger, 350-horsepower V-8 available on the sedan. As with the Sports Wagon, all-wheel drive is standard, though the Avant has a slightly softer ride, and its handling isn't as sharp as that of the 5-Series, nor does it offer such advanced technology features. The Cadillac STS brings plenty of high-tech options and respectable performance, but it doesn't have the prestige of the 5-Series. The Saab 9-5 SportCombi is now a quite dated design. It comes with front-wheel drive and turbocharged four-cylinder power, and its powertrains aren't as refined as those of the other rivals, but it's packaged well, with excellent seats, plenty of headroom, and more useful cargo space. There's also the Infiniti M35 and M45, which bring brisk performance and some rival high-tech features such as a lane-departure system, but their cabins aren't as quiet and refined as those of the 5-Series models.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 BMW 5-Series from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 BMW 5-Series

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 BMW 5-Series

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 BMW 5-Series near you

See the BMW 5-Series in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy