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 11 through 19 of 19.00

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  BMW 535 GT - 2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By gadgetguy2 - May 19 - 5:56 pm

  The reviews I read on this car did not seem to know what to make of it. The uniqueness of the vehicle caused magazine reviewers to give it a second take, but not rate it very high. I have been driving my 535 GT for a little over a month now and it is awsome. The adaptive suspension is for real. Pick the comfort setting and the engine, transmission and suspension change into a luxery vehicle. Push the sport button while driving and feel the suspension tighten and the tach jump as the engine and transmission have a change of attitude. The headroom is cavernous. I fit in very few cars due to my height, but this car is great. The 20 way adjustable seats are worth the option price.

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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!

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  BMW 535iGT - 2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By wittyj - May 11 - 11:46 am

  This may be the perfect vehicle. Extremely comfortable with very easy entry and exit. The rear seat is huge. Stow the parcel shelf, lower the seat backs and you have loads of cargo space. The ride and handling are superb. Performance is very good and the economy is above the EPA numbers. 31.5 mpg on the highway is easy to get. The 8 speed is an excellent transmission and the engine is very smooth and powerful enough for all situations. It is not an "M" but will cruise at whatever speed you wish. BMW quality is excellent and the multi-function seats are worth every penny. The seat height is about 4 inches higher than the seven series and about 3.5 inches lower than the X5. EASY entry and exit

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  WOW. In a word-AMAZING. - 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By D Foster - December 2 - 11:00 pm

  Purchased the 2010 BMW 500i GT in February. 6,600 miles to date. Truly the most comfortable, fun to drive BMW Ive owned. The Sport Package is a must as it adds Adjustable suspension. Comfort mode is great for long highway cruising. Sport mode is perfect for in-town stop light heroes. The GT is a perfect blend of sports car and pack mule. More than enough room in the back to haul luggage or bikes. Rear passengers are treated to an amazing amount of room and comfort. The Comfort Seats up front are probably the most comfortable auto seats on the market. Gas mileage in the highway has been 25 mpg on two 1,000 trips from FL to TN. Around town, stop and go has been 16 mpg.

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  535igt - 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By mss - September 19 - 1:43 pm

  The car is absolutely gorgeous. BMW knows how to capture the market with its beautiful design. The handling, interior and exterior design is flawless. I am glad going for a 5 series Gt as opposed to regular sedan for its aggressive looks. Can not say enough about it. By the way, it is a great family car.

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  Awesome - 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By Drakemac - July 11 - 4:20 pm

  Youve heard it before, the pictures lie. This car is beautiful. The interior is one of the best Ive ever experienced. Ive had a 1st gen X5, 745, 345 and a 2007 X5. This is the best of the bunch. I love the combination of power, convenience and comfort. I myself think the lighter colors hurt the looks of the car. They make it look wide and flat. I have a black one with two-tone, black and off-white interior. Love it. So happy with my choice!

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  Perfect Car - 2011 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By gary165 - December 21 - 5:30 am

  I was looking for a more comfortable SUV to replace my x3. When I drove the 535 GT, I knew I had found it. Not only that, but I no longer needed my 2008 750 either. This car is a 740i with a hatch back. Who needs an SUV when you can own this car? Back seats lean back as well as fold down. More comfortable than my 750 back seats. More leg room in back than the short wheel base 750. The rest of the car is a 7 series, at a 20% discount! The six cylinder engine surprised me. More powerful than my 2001 740. High low end torque. Navigation is great. Hard drive is very convenient for storing music. Bluetooth is seamless. If you need a large comfortable car AND an SUV, this is the perfect vehicle.

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  BMWGT - 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By Richard - August 26 - 11:12 am

  Great Road Trip car!

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  Love My 5GT! - 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By Neil - May 19 - 12:50 pm

  I opted for the European Delivery option and collected my new 550i GT in April 2010. The pics dont do it justice -- this car is a beauty. With the big twin turbo V8 this was fun to drive in Europe. We hit 130 on the Autobahn (OK, we were not trying hard enough). Drove through Liechtenstein through the Alps into Italy and across highway 10 along the Med -- this was a James Bond drive with windy roads in and out of tunnels. Super cool! The car was great throughout the trip. I loaded this baby with options. The heads-up display is fantastic especially when trying to navigate unfamiliar territory -- it makes a wrong turn much less likely. The new iDrive is way better than before too.