BMW 5er Touring Review: The Luxury Family Wagon That Might Finally Make You Ditch Your SUV
12.01.2026 - 07:24:20
You know that creeping frustration every time you wrestle with your car in real life? The stroller that barely fits, the suitcases that force a game of Tetris, the highway drone that leaves you more tired when you arrive than when you left. You wanted space, comfort and style, but somehow ended up compromising on at least one of those.
Thats the modern car problem: SUVs promise everything, but often deliver bulk more than brains. Sedans drive beautifully but cant always keep up with your life. And true long-distance comfort? Thats rarer than it should be.
Enter the answer you might not have considered yet: the BMW 5er Touring.
The BMW 5er Touring (BMW 5 Series Touring in English) takes the DNA of BMWs iconic executive sedan and stretches it into a long-roof wagon that feels tailor-made for people who refuse to choose between driving pleasure, family duty and premium tech. It sits in that sweet spot between SUV and sedan: low, sleek and engaging to drive, yet seriously practical.
Why this specific model?
The latest-generation BMW 5er Touring, launched for the 2024 model year, is BMWs most high-tech wagon yet. It shares its platform and design language with the new 5 Series sedan, but adds a wide, easy-access cargo area and a more versatile rear cabin, especially useful for families, pet owners or anyone who treats weekends like a sport.
Heres what actually matters when you live with it:
- Space without the bulk: The load bay is wide, flat and easy to access thanks to a big tailgate and low loading sill. Think: IKEA runs, bikes, sports gear, luggage for four adults it handles it without the top-heavy feel of many SUVs.
- Long-distance comfort: The new 5er Touring rides with that classic BMW blend: controlled but supple. On highways, it feels planted, quiet and relaxed, especially with adaptive suspension and the latest driver assistance options.
- Real performance options: Depending on market, you get a mix of diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and in some regions even the fully electric i5 Touring. The key theme: strong torque, smooth power delivery and impressive efficiency for such a capable car.
- Next-gen tech: Inside, the curved BMW display with the latest iDrive, over-the-air updates, advanced driver assistance and available Highway Assistant (on certain markets) make it feel more like a rolling smart device than a traditional wagon.
This combination is exactly why wagon lovers on forums and Reddit threads keep saying things like, This is the perfect one-car garage and I dont need an SUV if I can have this.
At a Glance: The Facts
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| Large, low-load cargo area (5 Series Touring body) | Easier loading of heavy items, more usable space than a sedan without SUV bulk; perfect for family trips and weekend gear. |
| Latest BMW curved display with iDrive (model year 2024) | Modern, intuitive infotainment with crisp graphics, smartphone-style interaction and over-the-air update potential. |
| Range of efficient petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and (in some markets) i5 electric variants | Choose the drivetrain that matches your lifestyle, from long-range diesel cruisers to low-emission commutes with a PHEV or EV. |
| Advanced driver assistance (including highway and parking assists, depending on spec) | Reduced fatigue in traffic and on long trips; easier parking in tight urban spaces. |
| Refined chassis tuning with optional adaptive suspension | Smooth ride for passengers but still engaging for the driver; stable, confidence-inspiring handling. |
| Premium interior materials and ambient lighting | Cabin feels like a modern lounge rather than a utility vehicle; more pleasant on commutes and road trips. |
What Users Are Saying
Across enthusiast forums and Reddit discussions around the BMW 5 Series Touring and its direct predecessors, a clear pattern emerges.
The praise:
- Perfect balance of practicality and driving feel: Many owners highlight that wagons like the 5er Touring deliver nearly the same cargo space as an SUV while keeping BMWs renowned handling character.
- Highway refinement: Users consistently mention how effortless long drives feel, with low noise levels and excellent seat comfort.
- Interior tech and ambiance: Theres strong appreciation for the modern curved display, improved UI over older iDrive generations, and the overall premium look and feel.
The criticisms:
- Price and options creep: As with most modern BMWs, several commenters note that the base car is competitive, but desirable options (premium audio, advanced assists, adaptive suspension) quickly drive the price up.
- Touch-heavy controls: Some traditionalists lament the move away from physical buttons for climate and certain functions, preferring the tactility of older models.
- Availability in some markets: Enthusiasts in the US, where BMW no longer sells most wagons, often express envy, calling the 5 Series Touring the car they wish they could buy instead of an SUV.
Overall sentiment is strongly positive: if you can get one, and youre willing to pay for the right spec, this is seen as one of the most complete all-round daily drivers in BMWs lineup.
Behind it all stands BMW AG, the German automotive group listed under ISIN: DE0005190003, which has been steadily pushing its 5 Series line upmarket in comfort, tech and efficiency while keeping its core drivers-car appeal.
Alternatives vs. BMW 5er Touring
The premium wagon space is a niche, but a fiercely contested one. If youre looking at the BMW 5er Touring, youre probably also comparing it to:
- Audi A6 Avant: Audis rival is a masterclass in understated design and interior quality. Its supremely refined, with a very polished cabin and smooth ride. However, Audi tends to prioritize comfort over driving engagement, so if steering feel and chassis feedback matter to you, the BMW usually edges ahead.
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate: The E-Class wagon is the comfort king: ultra-soft ride, airy interior, and a luxury-first approach. It can feel more like a small S-Class with a giant trunk. The flip side: its not quite as sporty as the 5er Touring when the road turns interesting.
- Premium midsize SUVs (BMW X5, Audi Q5/Q7, Mercedes GLE): These will sit higher, often feel more imposing on the road and sometimes offer more towing capacity. But theyre usually heavier, less efficient and not as fun to drive. For many people, the 5 Series Touring gives them all the space they realistically use, in a package thats more economical and more rewarding behind the wheel.
What sets the 5er Touring apart is how little it asks you to compromise. You dont give up driver involvement for practicality, you dont sacrifice luggage room for style, and with the electrified variants, you dont even have to choose between performance and efficiency.
Final Verdict
The BMW 5er Touring is the kind of car that quietly transforms everyday life. It wont shout for attention like a huge SUV, but live with it for a week and it starts to feel like the most rational, yet deeply satisfying choice in the premium segment.
If your reality involves kids, work trips, weekend escapes, airport runs and the occasional solo blast down a great road, this is the rare car that can do all of it without ever feeling like a compromise.
You get:
- Genuine luxury and tech that feel truly modern.
- Cargo space that makes sedans feel obsolete.
- Driving dynamics that remind you why BMW has the reputation it does.
- Powertrain choices that can suit long-distance commuters or eco-conscious urban drivers alike.
No car is perfect. Youll want to budget carefully for the options that bring out the best of the 5er Touring, and if youre used to banks of physical buttons, there will be a short learning curve with the tech. But taken as a whole, this is one of the most convincing arguments against defaulting to an SUV.
If you want one car that can handle your weekday grind, your family chaos and your weekend escapes and still make you smile when the road opens up the BMW 5er Touring deserves a very serious test drive.
