BMW 5er Touring Review: The Family Wagon That Secretly Wants to Overtake Your SUV

Rush hour. Two kids in the back asking for snacks, a grocery run in the trunk, your work laptop on the passenger seat, and a navigation voice calmly announcing yet another traffic jam. You want space, comfort, and safety—but you also refuse to accept that driving has to feel like piloting a refrigerator on wheels.

Thats where the BMW 5er Touring (BMW 5 Series Touring) steps in. It promises the practicality of a wagon, the poise of a luxury sedan, and the kind of subtle driving pleasure that makes you volunteer for every long-distance trip.

Meet the BMW 5er Touring: A Wagon That Doesnt Feel Like a Compromise

The BMW 5er Touring is BMWs long-roof version of the latest 5 Series, designed for people who need real everyday usability but arent ready to surrender to the SUV trend. Available with mild-hybrid diesel and petrol engines, and as a plug-in hybrid (and, depending on market, as the fully electric i5 Touring), it aims to be a one-car solution: business commuter, family hauler, and long-distance cruiser in one.

On BMWs official site, the 5er Touring is positioned as a premium touring car with a focus on comfort, technology, and efficiency. You get a long wheelbase for interior space, a generously sized luggage compartment, and the same cutting-edge cockpit and driver assistance tech as the sedanbut with the added flexibility that only a wagon can offer.

Why this specific model?

Plenty of brands offer wagons, but the latest BMW 5er Touring lands in a sweet spot where practicality doesnt kill personality. Heres what stands out in real-world use based on current specs, reviews, and early owner impressions:

• Space without bulk: The Touring gives you a large, easy-access luggage area without the tall, top-heavy feel of an SUV. Owners on forums and Reddit threads regularly highlight how easy it is to load strollers, bikes, or dogs—especially with the wide tailgate opening and low loading edge.
• Refined long-distance comfort: Testers and early drivers describe the suspension as comfortable yet controlled, especially on models with adaptive suspension options. Its the car you grab for the 500-mile trip because it arrives feeling calmer than you do.
• Modern tech without chaos: The BMW Curved Display and BMW Operating System (current-generation iDrive) give you a fully digital cockpit, over-the-air updates, and advanced driver assistance. Reviewers note that BMW has worked to reduce clutter and refine the user interface over previous versions.
• Engine choice for every lifestyle: From efficient diesels (popular in Europe) to plug-in hybrids that let you cover daily commutes largely on electric power, the 5er Touring lineup is designed to meet very different usage profiles and tax regimes.

In day-to-day life, all of this translates into something simple: you can pack more, travel farther, and still actually enjoy driving.

At a Glance: The Facts

To make the spec sheet a bit more human, here are key features of the BMW 5er Touring and what they actually mean for you:

Feature	User Benefit
Spacious Touring body with large tailgate and flat load floor	Easy loading of luggage, strollers, sports gear, or pets, with room to spare for family trips or IKEA runs.
BMW Curved Display with fully digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen	Modern, high-resolution cockpit that puts navigation, media, and vehicle info in clear view, reducing distraction and button hunting.
Latest BMW driver assistance systems (e.g., active cruise and lane assistance, depending on configuration)	More relaxed highway driving, smoother stop-and-go in traffic, and an extra layer of safety on long commutes.
Efficient mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains (market-dependent)	Lower fuel consumption and, in PHEV versions, the ability to travel many everyday routes largely on electric power.
Premium interior materials and acoustic insulation	Quieter, more refined cabin for conversations, calls, or just decompressing after a long day.
BMW chassis tuning with rear-wheel or xDrive all-wheel drive (model-dependent)	Stable, confident handling in bad weather with that signature BMW steering feel when the road opens up.

What Users Are Saying

Digging through Reddit discussions and enthusiast forums about the new 5 Series Touring and its predecessors, a clear pattern emerges.

The praise:

• Ride and refinement: Drivers consistently highlight how quiet and composed the car feels at highway speeds. Even those coming from SUVs mention that the lower center of gravity makes the Touring feel more planted and relaxing on long trips.
• Real-world practicality: Wagon fans love the ability to load bulky items without folding the rear seats every time. Several users mention dogs hopping in easily and kids gear disappearing into the trunk without drama.
• Interior experience: The latest digital cockpit and material quality get positive mentions, with many noting that the cabin feels genuinely premium without being overly flashy.

The criticism:

• Learning curve for the infotainment: Some drivers, especially those coming from older cars, find the latest iDrive and screen-centric design a bit overwhelming at first, even if they grow to appreciate its capability.
• Price and options: As with most BMWs, the base price is only the starting point. Forum users warn that once you add desirable options—driver assistance packages, upgraded audio, and nicer trims—the price climbs rapidly.
• Availability in some markets: Not every region gets every engine or the Touring body style, which leads to frustration for wagon fans in SUV-heavy markets.

Overall sentiment, however, is strongly positive: people who actually buy the BMW 5er Touring tend to keep it for years and often replace it with another wagon rather than switching to an SUV.

Behind the 5er Touring is BMW AG, a company listed under ISIN: DE0005190003, which continues to bet on the long-distance touring car formula even as much of the market shifts to high-riding crossovers.

Alternatives vs. BMW 5er Touring

If youre cross-shopping the BMW 5er Touring, youre probably also considering other premium wagons and maybe a few SUVs. Heres how it stacks up in broad strokes:

• Vs. Audi A6 Avant: The A6 Avant is the 5er Tourings most direct rival. Audi leans into a minimalist, tech-heavy cabin feel and a very refined ride. The BMW, based on reviews, tends to offer slightly more engaging steering and a bit more of that drivers car character, while both stand neck-and-neck on comfort and quality.
• Vs. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate: The E-Class wagon is renowned for comfort and a plush cabin. If you want maximum lounge on wheels vibes, Mercedes still has a strong claim. The BMW 5er Touring, by contrast, skews more towards a subtle sportiness, with a cockpit that feels a bit more driver-focused.
• Vs. premium SUVs (X5, GLE, Q7): SUVs offer a higher seating position and, in some cases, three rows of seats. But they also come with more weight, higher fuel consumption, and a bulkier feel. Many reviewers note that a 5 Series Touring delivers similar interior space for passengers and luggage, while driving with far more composure and efficiency.

If you prioritize driving dynamics, fuel economy, and a more elegant design over sheer height and road presence, the BMW 5er Touring is often the smarter choice than a comparable SUV.

Final Verdict

The BMW 5er Touring is not a car for people chasing trends. Its for drivers who quietly know what works: a low, stable chassis; a big, usable trunk; a refined, tech-rich interior; and engines that make light work of long distances without punishing you at the pump.

It solves the everyday problem so many modern drivers face: you need space, comfort, safety, and digital convenience—but you refuse to give up the pleasure of driving. Instead of forcing you into a tall, heavy SUV, the 5er Touring offers a more elegant answer: a genuinely practical wagon that still feels like a proper BMW from behind the wheel.

If youre looking for a car that can be everything at once—weekday commuter, weekend escape machine, family hauler, and quiet luxury office on wheels—the BMW 5er Touring deserves a serious look. For many buyers, it might just be the most rationally emotional choice on the road today.