The 2017 BMW 530e iPerformance

BMW's new plug-in hybrid packs quite a punch. Here's an inside look at the 2017 BMW 530e from Isaac Bouchard at Bespoke Autos.

bmw 530e iperformance interior

BMW’s New Plug-In Hybrid Packs Quite a Punch

One of the most pleasing surprises of 2017 was the BMW 530e plugin hybrid. Not only was it a highlight of the calendar year to drive but it also gives me hope for our electrified future. To the casual observer the blue highlights in the grill and around the BMW roundels will hardly register—even the charging port isn’t that noticeable on dark colored cars—and if you drive this iPerformance model like a conventional car all you will notice is that this four-cylinder version of the all-new 5-series has the torquey, effortless thrust of the six-cylinder 540i, with 0-60mph coming up in about six seconds depending on if its rear- or all wheel drive.

bmw 530e cross-section

Dig deeper into drive mode menus and you’ll learn that you can drive the 530e almost 30 miles on electric power alone, or that you can save the battery for when you want to cruise silently, or that you can let the BMW’s computers blend the power of the electric motor and the turbocharged, gas-fed 2-liter to get the best blend of performance (248hp and 310lb-ft) and fuel economy—roughly mid-to-high 30s during the test. And since it still uses the same basic ZF 8-speed transmission as other 5s, the 530e never feels like an expensive golf kart. Being a plugin, range anxiety is never an issue; recharging takes three to five hours using 240-volt or 120-volt respectively.

Since the battery pack is located below the trunk floor you do loose five cubic feet of capacity; thankfully the seats still fold flat, and such a placement means the additional 500 pounds all the electrified bits and bobs add to the BMW’s mass aren’t as noticeable in enthusiastic driving as they otherwise might be. Simply put, the 530e is a blast to drive, especially in Sport, where the electric motor is always there to bolster the conventional engine’s output. The chassis is as responsive—or as cosseting—as that in the conventional 5 series. Likewise the semi-autonomous safety and driving assist systems, which are amongst the best on offer right now. What really seals the deal is that this is the best value in the lineup, costing a measly $200 more than a conventional 530i.

bmw 530e glamour shots


EPA ratings: 67MPGe gas and electric/28mpg gasoline only

0-60mph: 6.0sec

Price as tested: $68,760

Here is what BMW has to say.

4.5 Stars


Contact Isaac Bouchard for help saving time, money and hassle when buying or leasing one at [email protected]

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