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    2021 BMW 540i xDrive review: Riding the line between sharp and soft

    Alpine White makes all the pieces higher.
    Andrew Krok/Roadshow
    For almost 50 years, the BMW 5 Series has stood as a midsize sedan that does not scrimp on luxurious whereas providing a reasonably partaking drive alongside the best way. Recent generations have maybe pushed a bit additional into luxurious than “Ultimate Driving Machine” nerds would possibly need, however taking a spin within the 2021 BMW 540i reveals me that BMW remains to be emphasizing each components of the equation.

    LikeSmooth mild-hybrid systemComfy, spacious interiorHides some first rate hustle

    Don’t LikePlain inside and exterior designGesture management nonetheless uselessPriced for princes

    Casual outdoors, comfy insideThe newest era of BMW 5 Series seems a bit nameless, however I’d levy that judgment to each sedan the automaker produces — if you do not have a way of scale helpful, they might simply be confused for each other. I’m all for model recognition, and I’ll admit that my 540i tester seems a bit dressier than your common Fiver because of a shiny Alpine White paint job, however the entire shebang is not precisely what I’d name evocative. It lacks the dramatics of the Genesis G80 or the Audi A6, nevertheless it’s not an issue unique to BMW — Mercedes is at the moment affected by the identical cookie-cutter design trappings.The inside is on the snooze-button aspect of inspiring, as effectively, rocking the identical design it is had for years, save for a number of tweaks right here and there. But the true luxurious would not come from how all the pieces’s laid out. Instead, I’m smitten with the 2021 540i’s cabin as a result of it is simply so rattling comfy. The ventilated, massaging entrance seats ($1,000) are wrapped in darkish brown Nappa leather-based ($2,500), which is delicate to the contact and immensely comfortable on longer drives. Combined with ample headroom and legroom in each rows, the 5 Series is clearly pushing a comfort-first agenda.

    There’s some perform to again up the shape, too. The doorways have suitably sized cubbies for holding straw wrappers and different random detritus, and whereas the middle console’s under-armrest cubby is on the small aspect, having a wi-fi gadget charger (a part of an $1,850 Premium Package) forward of the cup holders signifies that area might be devoted solely to masks, wallets, keys and no matter else is in my pockets. With 14 cubic ft of area, the 540i’s trunk is roomier than what the A6 or E-Class provide up.Optioned for curvesThere’s clearly a lean towards luxurious relating to how the 2021 BMW 540i drives, however that does not imply BMW has fully deserted its rowdier roots. For essentially the most half, although, my tester is most rewarding when the automobile’s myriad settings are positioned in the usual Comfort mode. The adaptive dampers (a part of a $3,200 bundle with lively roll bars) do an important job absorbing Michigan’s manifold crappy roads whereas returning little or no to the cabin. There’s an inherent feeling of solidity coming from the chassis — the trip is delicate, however that does not imply the entire thing is so loosey-goosey that the metaphors begin transferring nautical. It’s simply very nice taking delicate activates lengthy roads out within the sticks.

    Should you be moved by a necessity for pace, I’d most likely suggest transferring to one thing extra devoted to that temper just like the M550i, however there’s nonetheless a superb little bit of enjoyable available within the 540i. Tapping the Sport button on the middle console sharpens issues up significantly. The variable steering ($3,300!) will get heavier, the adaptive dampers stiffen and the throttle response ratchets up. Body roll in corners dissipates, making it a surprisingly enjoyable automobile to throw into corners, regardless that it is actually not a lithe little factor. It’s price noting, although, that the enjoyable I’m having instructions no less than $6,000 in choices, so I can see why some of us would possibly criticize the 5 Series for being just a little too luxurious earlier than bins begin getting checked off.

    Under the hood is a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 producing 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, sufficient to push my all-wheel-drive tester to 60 mph in simply 4.6 seconds. At most factors on the tachometer, a squeeze of the throttle elicits just a little further exhaust noise and an entire bunch o’ torque, giving me the agility to do absolutely anything I have to do on a public street. The eight-speed automated transmission is equally easy, swapping gears in each instructions with minimal fuss or motion within the cabin.There’s a touch of electrification within the 2021 BMW 5 Series, too. Six-cylinder fashions like this one carry a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Its starter-generator can present an extra 11 hp to assist fill gaps in energy supply as wanted, however its prime directive is effectivity. Stop-start periods are longer and barely really feel like something in any respect when the motor kicks over, even when it shuts all the pieces down under 9 mph. Brake regeneration is on the gentle aspect, though it will get just a little extra aggressive in Sport mode; to be sincere, I am unable to actually really feel the purpose at which the regenerative and friction brakes begin to mingle, which is an excellent factor. All that efficiency-boosting goodness occurs within the background with little for the driving force to notice.Those further electrons make the 2021 540i xDrive decently environment friendly, with the EPA estimating its gas economic system at 23 miles per gallon metropolis and 31 mpg freeway. As traditional, I development barely decrease within the metropolis, however the 540i is a champ on the freeway, returning 31 mpg (or extra) with little or no aware footwork on my finish.The 540i xDrive’s cabin is comfy sufficient for lengthy stretches, no breaks vital.
    Andrew Krok/Roadshow
    Tech aplentySitting down within the 2021 BMW 5 Series feels simply as technologically superior as every other trendy luxurious automobile. Best of all, most all the pieces seen on my tester is customary, from the 12.3-inch touchscreen to the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.The fundamental infotainment display, which has grown from 10.3 inches previously yr, might be manipulated by means of its touchscreen or through the use of the iDrive dial on the middle console. The system is straightforward on the eyes, impressively responsive (it boots in a short time from a chilly begin) and loaded with options like embedded navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, over-the-air updates and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The gauge cluster reveals a everlasting map freed from avenue names, so it is actually solely helpful when you may have turn-by-turn instructions on. The left and proper sides of the gauge cluster can present what’s enjoying on the radio and varied different bits of data. Plunk down $1,850 for the Premium Package and also you additionally get wi-fi gadget charging and a head-up show that additional reduces distractions. It additionally provides iDrive’s gesture management, which is essentially ineffective and distracting, particularly after I make a hand movement that unknowingly adjustments the station or stops the music totally.On the protection entrance, all people ought to be happy. Every Fiver comes customary with ahead collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, automated excessive beams and speed-limit data. This particular 540i additionally contains the $1,700 Driving Assistance Plus bundle, which provides adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go performance, lane-keep help and one thing referred to as Extended Traffic Jam Assist. That final bit is fascinating in that it is an sincere hands-off characteristic, albeit one that’s solely supposed for use in site visitors jams on limited-access highways with the intention to scale back tedium. It works effectively, creeping together with site visitors whereas I nervously scan each automobile in a half-mile radius to make sure no person’s doing something that may catch the system off guard.Stop making an attempt to make fetch (or, on this case, gesture management) occur. It’s not going to occur.
    Andrew Krok/Roadshow
    Down to brass tacksMost of the key gamers within the 2021 BMW 5 Series’ section are well-known. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class leans a bit tougher on the luxurious angle, whereas these in search of extra know-how and a extra distinctive look would possibly wish to contemplate the hard-edged Audi A6. However, there is a new participant on the town: the 2021 Genesis G80. This Korean sedan is completely beautiful as a pure luxurious automobile, and it completely mollywhops the Bimmer on worth, with totally loaded examples commanding about $69,000 (good). It lacks the cachet of a Roundel on the hood, certain, however do not throw the infant out with the bathwater simply because its provenance is not Teutonic.The 2021 BMW 540i xDrive is not only a luxurious automobile. I imply, certain, that is what it’s — and relating to being luxurious, it excels — however it is a bit greater than a one-dimensional qualifier like that. With a number of button presses, this straight-six sedan picks up a sportier nature that makes for fairly an enticing expertise if there are a number of curves between Points A and B. 

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