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BMW 5-series review - is this the best saloon in the world? - MPG and running costs

BMW's most complete 5-series ever, there are almost no compromises in this exceptional executive.

Evo rating
Price
from £37
  • Where to start? Powertrains, supremely competent handling and exceptional build quality
  • Feels big on the road, drab styling.

MPG and running costs

BMW’s impressive MPG figures are entirely due to tireless work removing weight and refining the drivetrains. The 520d is available in two specifications, the standard car being able to reach a combined figure of 68.9 mpg. For company car buyers, or those wanting to hand over as little as possible tax, an ED or EfficientDynamics model will hit an even more impressive 72.4mpg, while only just skimming over 100g/km.

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The 530d is just as impressive, if not more so when it’s relative performance capability is taken into consideration. Able to reach up to 62.8mpg on the combined cycle, it’s mightily impressive. Petrol versions unsurprisingly don’t hit quite the same heights with 51.4 and 40.9mpg for the 530i and 540i respectively. The 530e iPerformance runs at 149mpg on paper, but like most plug-in hybrids, this figure is heavily dependent on how much electric charge is in the batteries at any one point and your resulting level of reliance on the internal combustion engine.

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