Overview & Reviews

Part sport sedan and part crossover, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo combines the former's athletic handling with the latter's higher ride and greater cargo-carrying flexibility. The result is a capacious, if somewhat ungainly, luxury hatchback that packs a serious performance punch. The 5 Series GT's signature utility feature is a dual-mode hatchback that can be either partially opened (similar to a sedan's trunk lid) or lifted up completely to take on bulkier items. Under the hood, meanwhile, there's a choice of turbocharged engines that provide executive-class acceleration.

On the downside, the 5 Series Gran Turismo is too tall and heavy to be truly sporty, and it's not as versatile as many crossovers. But if you're looking for a relatively practical luxury vehicle with an impeccable performance pedigree, this multi-talented BMW could be a nice fit.

Current BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is offered in either 535i or 550i trim. The 535i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that puts out 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, while the 550i gets a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 good for 445 hp and 480 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission offered, but buyers can choose from standard rear-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive ("xDrive" in BMW-speak).

All 5 Series Gran Turismos are very well equipped. The 535i comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, Bluetooth, the iDrive electronics interface with navigation and a 12-speaker stereo with an auxiliary audio input jack. The 550i adds the gutsy V8 engine, plus 20-way power front seats and a rearview camera. The options list for both models is long and includes items like an adaptive suspension, premium audio and a night-vision camera.

Inside the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo you'll find top-quality materials and adult-size room for both front and rear seat passengers. The backseat in particular is enormous. Folding the rear seatbacks down creates a healthy 62 cubic feet of cargo space that's easily accessed through the large rear hatch. If you don't need quite that much cargo room, the 17.7-cubic-foot regular cargo hold can be accessed from either the full hatch or the trick half-hatch that opens more like a traditional trunk.

In reviews, we've found that the 5 Series Gran Turismo strikes a pretty agreeable balance between athleticism and ride comfort. Compared to the 7 Series, the ride quality is a bit on the firm side, and the car's extra pounds and taller profile combine to produce more body roll than you'd experience in a BMW sedan. Even so, this quirky addition to the 5 Series lineup offers an unusual combination of sportiness, practicality and luxury.

Used BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Models
The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo debuted for the 2010 model year with slightly lower output for the 550i (400 hp, 450 lb-ft) and optional two-passenger rear seating. The 535i wasn't offered with all-wheel drive until the following year. BMW upped the V8's power for 2013. For 2014, the 5 Series GT received minor styling updates but lost the two-passenger rear configuration, while the previously optional navigation system became standard along with an updated iDrive controller.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 19.00

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  Sunshade for sunroof - 2015 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By Chris - August 27 - 2:33 pm

  Just bought the 2015 BMW 535i GT and the main problem most people have with this car is the panoramic sliding sunshade cover... Mines is sagging on both sides of the sunshade and its a lot of folks complaining about the same problem... BMW charges around $2500 to fix the problem that may happen more than once...

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  Had 550i GT 5 days, In shop 12 days - 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By Nevada Driver - June 2 - 3:56 am

  Had the car for four days and the DDC failed. Dealer cannot fix the problem but they are trying. I have no complaints with the dealer it is BMW that is the problem. Need a part from Germany but it will take, and I quote BMW, "WEEKS". To be continued

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  no surpeises - 2014 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By jim34b - May 1 - 9:25 pm

  Edmunds review is accurate, and others must share their opinions, because 5 series GTs are hard to find, so I ordered a 2014 550i xdrive. I like it because it is a large, comfortable, powerful sedan, that converts into 60+ cubic feet of trunk space when needed. In my case, thats about six times per year, and I hope BMW keeps making them.

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  Ugly! - 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By BettyH - October 4 - 7:36 am

  This Car is the perfect example of a love/hate relationship. The interior is flawless, its simply gorgeous, handles good, But what was the designer thinking! Its the ugliest car in the world! It must have been beaten with the ugly wand! Ugh!