Some clients ask for “a BMW” before they mention anything else. The 5 Series is our answer at the business sedan level: the same passenger and bag count as an E-Class or a Lexus ES, in a slightly longer body that feels most at home on a long, straight motorway.
The current BMW 5 Series (G60)
BMW started production of the eighth-generation 5 Series at its Dingolfing plant in July 2023. It’s coded G60, measures 5,060 mm on a 2,995 mm wheelbase, and is the first 5 Series sold as a fully electric car, the i5. BMW also offers it as a petrol mild hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
Which version you ride in changes the luggage space more than the comfort:
| Version | Examples | Boot | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol mild hybrid | 520i, 530i, 540i | 520 L | Two large cases plus cabin bags |
| Plug-in hybrid | 530e, 550e | 520 L | Same boot, can run on electric in town |
| Fully electric | i5 eDrive40, i5 M60 | 490 L | Silent ride, slightly smaller boot |
If one of these matters to you, mention it when you book and we’ll confirm the car before the day.
What the back seat is like
Two adults get good legroom and a relaxed seat angle for a long ride. A third adult in the middle is fine across town and cramped on anything over an hour. The electric i5 is worth asking for if you plan to take calls: on the E11 at motorway speed there’s no engine note at all.
Luggage: two big cases, then think again
Two large check-in suitcases and two cabin bags fit. A third large case means a bigger car. If you’re unsure, send us a photo of the bags on WhatsApp and we’ll tell you what fits.
Where the BMW 5 Series with driver works best
We send it most on long runs between emirates. A Dubai airport to Abu Dhabi transfer takes well over an hour on the E11, passing Salik gates on the Dubai side and Darb gates in Abu Dhabi. Our Salik and Darb guide explains how both systems work.
It also suits intercity transfers between Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices, where an executive wants to work in the back for the whole drive.
5 Series, E-Class or 7 Series?
The Mercedes E-Class is its closest rival: a slightly bigger boot, a slightly shorter body, and a badge some corporate travel policies name outright. The BMW 7 Series is a full class up, with four-zone climate control as standard and an optional 31.3-inch rear screen. Pick the 7 when the drive is long and the passenger is senior. For everything else, the 5 Series does the job.
Booking tips
Send the flight number, the name for the board and the number of large cases. If you’re going to Abu Dhabi and coming back the same evening, consider booking by the hour so the same car and driver wait for you.
