When you look for best-driving BMW’s, the 5 Series sits at the top of the list for many people. Because the BMW 5 Series blends driving dynamics and premium luxury, it’s the vehicle of choice for those who spend a long time on the road. But is the 2023 BMW 5 Series still a good GT car? With some help from MotorTrend, we’re here to find out.

What makes a good GT car?

Grand Touring cars are a mystifying category, and the definition largely depends on personal opinion. That said, GT cars tend to share some common characteristics no matter who you ask.

First, a GT car has to be engaging to drive. You need to be able to attack twisty mountain roads and eat highway miles with ferocity.

Second, GT cars require some level of comfort. The idea is to not just enjoy the driving, but enjoy the ride and scenery along the way. That’s hard to do when a bump in the road sends you running to the chiropractor.

Third, a good GT car has road-trip space. It doesn’t need to be a three-row SUV, but enough room for you and a few friends to pack a duffel bag is the minimum requirement.

Its these things that the BMW 5 Series has historically done well, and the 2023 model carries the same character.

What is the mpg for a 2023 BMW 5 Series 530e?

While you may be inclined to chuck the 4.4-liter V8 under the hood of your new BMW 5 Series, the plug-in hybrid is an excellent choice for your road tripping needs. With the hybrid powertrain and rear-wheel drive, the BMW 530e is good for 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, plus 64 MPGe when accounting for the electric-only mode. Meanwhile, the all-wheel drive 5 Series Hybrid posts similar figures, offering 22 mpg city, 31 highway, and 62 MPGe.

Powering the 2023 BMW 530e is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor to deliver 288 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque when combined. You can have it with rear-wheel drive for that classic front-engine sports car experience, or xDrive for those traveling through snowy climates.

Either way, the real benefit is the hybrid drive system, which gives you up to 340 miles of range per tank while accelerating you from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds.

Excellent cabin features help ward off fatigue

With the bolstered sport seats bolted in, the 2023 BMW 5 Series might become the highlight of your road trip. Settle in and use any of the 21-way power-adjustable options to perfectly tailor your seating position. Then take advantage of built-in heat, ventilation, and massage to keep fatigue at bay and enhance your comfort.

Drive modes allow for performance or comfort focused driving

The versatility of the 2023 BMW 5 Series shines through when using the various drive modes at your disposal. There is a drive mode for everything, including Eco-focused driving, comfort, and two sport modes that make for easy presets. You can also individually tailor suspension feel, transmission and engine response, and steering weight to set up your ideal driving experience in the new 5 Series.

Plenty of trunk space in the BMW 5 Series

The latest 5 Series trunk measures 18.7 cubic feet, so you’ll have no issue getting your luggage stowed away. With room for eight duffel bags, you can have a cabin full of passengers bring their own bags with room to spare.

So-so handling dampens the experience

It’s the handling of the new BMW 5 Series where its status as a GT legend starts to fall flat. It is annoyingly mundane, at times feeling disconnected from the road. This can be remedied with an M Sport package though, so be sure to add that option if you plan on carving curves in your new BMW.

Does the BMW 5 Series make a good GT car in 2023?

The answer is yes, if you pick the right spec. While we love the plug-in hybrid, there’s no doubt that the M550i V8 engine delivers big thrills. Either way, be sure you tack on the M Sport package to get a sharper suspension, and you’ll find that the latest 5 Series still gets the job done.

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