BMW 5 Series Reviews

BMW’s new electric car has a monstrous driving range, and it’s headed to Aussie shores. The BMW iX4 is a 'coupe' SUV counterpart to the iX3 electric mid-size SUV. Pricing starts from $103,900, before on-road costs, with the top-spec 50 xDrive variant an extra $16,000, at $119,900, before on-road costs. The starting price is $14,000 more than the entry-level iX3 40, which notably ditches the dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up, but is substantially cheaper than the larger iX. The iX4 will rival the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron ($89,990), as well as the Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range AWD ($68,900), among others. BMW expects deliveries on the entry-level iX4 40 xDrive to begin in Australia in the first quarter of 2027, with the top-spec grade joining later in the year. 2026 BMW iX4 pricing Australia The 2027 BMW iX4 is powered by two electric motors. Total system outputs are 275kW and 520Nm in the 40 xDrive, or 345kW and 645Nm in the 50 xDrive. In combination with its AWD system, iX4 50 xDrive can accelerate from 0-100km/h in as fast as 4.9 seconds. The iX4 is the latest addition to BMW’s Neue Klasse line-up, meaning it uses an 800-volt electrical architecture. The iX4 40 xDrive has an 82.6 kWh battery offering up to 638km of WLTP-claimed range, while the 50 xDrive has a larger 108.7kWh unit with a WLTP-claimed range of 828km. The 40 xDrive has a peak DC fast-charging rate of 300kW, while the 50 xDrive can charge at up to 400kW. Both cars can DC fast-charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes. The iX4’s interior is dominated by a 17.9-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. It also features BMW’s panoramic digital display that projects information across the lower section of the windscreen, contrasting a traditional display in front of the driver. Both variants of the iX4 are equipped with a 3D head-up display. The car rides on 20-inch light-alloy wheels as standard, and sports BMW’s kidney grille and headlight design that looks like one single piece on the front of the car. It has a sloping roofline, with a full-length panoramic sunroof as standard.

BMW’s mid-sized sedans and station-wagons have always represented a classy, high-end way to move a family. Competing directly with vehicles such as Audi’s A6-based models and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the BMW 5 Series has won its share of admirers over the years as a quality car albeit at a premium price. But now that they’re second-hand, premium models like the BMW 5 Series tend to drop retained value pretty sharply, making them great used-car buys provided you buy the right one. As with any conventional sedan or wagon, however, the BMW has suffered in popularity terms at the hands of the SUV. In fact, while this generation of 5 Series sedans lasted from 2017 to 2023 as the G30 model, the G31 station-wagon that launched alongside it in 2017, left showrooms in 2020 as demand for SUVs made selling a conventional wagon a very tough job. BMW also made the 5 Series line-up a pretty complex, constantly changing animal, so there are the mainstream models to look for as well as some quite specific variants that are worth investigating. Of the mainstream four-door sedan versions, things kicked off with the 520i with its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, 135kW and 290Nm. The 520d was next with a 2.0 diesel, 140kW and 400Nm. The 530i was also a 2.0L four-cylinder, but claimed 185kW and 350Nm due to a different tune. The first of BMW’s famous inline sixes arrived with the 530d with its 3.0 inline six-cylinder diesel and 195kW and 620Nm. The 540i was a 3.0 petrol six-cylinder with 250kW and 450Nm, while the big hitter was the M550i with its twin-turbo 4.4-litre petrol V8, 340kW and 650Nm. In station-wagon variants, there was a 520d (diesel) and a 530i (petrol). The more specialised variants included the 530e PHEV with 185kW and 420Nm and a small EV battery and electric motor. And then there was the really specialised 530d xDrive wagon with the 530d’s engine teamed with an all-wheel drive platform. There was also a sedan called the M550i xDrive which was more or less a 550i sedan with all-wheel drive, 390kW and 750Nm. If that all sounds a bit complicated, that’s because it is. And it also means when you’re shopping for a second-hand G30 or G31 BMW, it’s vital to know exactly what you’re looking at as the used prices vary enormously. The BMW 5 Series has always been portrayed as the driver’s choice in four-door sedans and it remains an entertaining drive in this form. Its interior space has grown over the years to remain relevant in the face of SUVs and the level of standard equipment is good. The best thing about these cars is the way they depreciate heavily in the first few years, making them good value (compared to their new price) as relatively new used cars. BMW’s reputation for building a quality product has been questioned before this model was ever on sale. However, many of the potential issues are the same ones facing other modern cars with their complex drivelines and requirement to meet ever stricter emissions and fuel economy targets. While many owners of this make and model have had great experiences, the BMW 5 Series is not without its problem areas. Like any modern, high-performance engine, the turbocharged engines in the G30 5 Series are fairly highly stressed in their search for maximum performance with minimum fuel consumption. As such, turbochargers have a pretty hard life and can sometimes require complete replacement. Increasingly, the turbo unit is being seen as a consumable item in modern car design. The BMW’s is no different. Plastic fittings in the cooling system of modern BMWs have also caused their share of problems. Thousands of heat cycles can eventually take their toll on these plastic fittings, and relacing them is often the only option. Due to the engine layout, this isn’t always an easy or cheap job. Diesel engines have been known to experience premature crankshaft wear (if you’re unlucky) and crankshaft pulley failures are also not unknown. The turbo-diesel engine also shares a problem seen on many modern diesel designs, of having oil and soot clog the intake system, requiring disassembly and manual cleaning. EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) systems can also fail. V8 engines have a reputation for poor valve stem seals which sees them start to consume oil. Brake wear will be high on performance models and like a lot of European cars, replacement often includes rotors as well as pads, making the job much more expensive. Tyre wear on all-wheel drive versions can also be very high. Beyond that, the LED DRLs can become yellow or fail, and the active flaps in front of the radiator (designed to get the engine to operating temperature quickly) can fail either through an actuator not working, or a simple physical fault in the plastic linkages. It also makes sense in the complex car like this to make sure every electrical function, from the power windows to the sunroof to the central locking, operates correctly. The G30 5 Series has had a relatively trouble-free run in terms of recalls, but there are a few to check if you’re buying this car. The first was for a batch of 2020-built hybrid cars that had the potential for their high-voltage batteries to catch fire. The problem was to do with foreign objects entering the battery, rather than a battery flaw per se. The second recall was to check cars that had been given some software upgrades, In some cases, these upgrades could cause the engine to fail with predictable results if you were on the road at the time. The other recall affected many models across the entire G30 lifespan and was to check starter motors that could allow moisture in and catch fire as a result. For the full details of what cars were affected and what to do if yours is one of them, check out https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/. There’s no particular build date to avoid here, but as is often the case, BMW got better at building the car the longer it did so. That’s why the earlier cars (2017 to 2020) tend to have more problems than later versions. Of course, as with any high-end car, you should always buy on the condition and service history of the car in question, rather than any rule of thumb. It’s not uncommon to see this make and model for sale with better than 200,000km on its odometer, which is impressive for a car so relatively new. That speaks highly for the overall robustness, but also – in an individual car sense – might be pointing to a history as a high-end taxi or city-hotel courtesy car. Most for sale now, however, have covered between 100,000km and 200,00km, and fewer kilometres is always better in a high-end car like this. You should also give any hybrid example a battery-health check to make sure the EV battery is still within specification and can provide a useful electric-only range. BMW’s diesel sedans have always been popular and with good reason. They’re refined, smooth and offer exceptional fuel efficiency. A V8 sedan or wagon with all-wheel drive is also an appealing prospect for skiing weekends and general safety, albeit with higher running costs. But for our money, the sweet spot in the range is the 530i which retains the four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, but in a fairly sharp and entertaining state of tune. It’s also one of the cheaper ways into G30 ownership right now. Plenty of these were sold with the M-Sport option pack, and that makes them even better. For low-kilometre, V8, all-wheel drive examples, you can still easily pay $70,000 to $80,000. But that’s against a brand-new price of about $150,000. At the other end of the price ladder, relatively high-mileage diesels and four-cylinder cars start at about $25,000, while there’s lots of choice across a range of specifications in the $30,000 to $45,000 region. You often hear owners of European cars complain about parts prices. And it’s true. If you want genuine BMW service and replacement parts, you’ll generally be slugged quite hard. But if you can live with non-genuine bits and pieces, then the picture is a bit different. The same goes for service and repairs. Use a BMW dealership and the cost will usually be higher than an independent BMW specialist. And because BMW is a global brand, there are lots of online sellers all over the planet who will have what you need. The BMW 5 Series often played second fiddle to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the sales race. That said, it usually finished second in its category, but BWM still often sold less than 100 units per month. Of those, the station-wagon accounted for less than five per cent which is largely why it didn’t survive the facelift in 2020 and disappeared from showrooms. Right now, you’ll find the bigger online sales sites will be listing a few dozen G30 5 Series cars.

Hybrid power is now mainstream for Aussie buyers.   It's an important choice for buyers transitioning from petrol- and diesel-powered cars to full EVs. Hybrid-powered cars are also important for brands as they seeks alternatives to internal combustion cars that incur fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). There are broad categories of hybrid cars in Australia, and each one has its own benefits for buyers. Here's a look at what hybrids are available, and which one might suit you best. Mild hybrid power is the first stage of electrification for cars. Mild hybrid cars can't drive on EV power alone, because they only use a small, low-voltage battery (usually) 48-volt, with a less than 1kWh capacity. The electric motor usual powers certain electrical features and the starter motor. They don't need to be charged, but they also don't offer noticeably better fuel efficiency than standard petrol- and diesel-powered cars. The popular Toyota HiLux ute is available with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, while Suzuki and Renault offer mild hybrid set-ups on some of their models. Conventional hybrid, plug-less hybrid or self-charging hybrid cars are popular in Australia. The engine works seamlessly with a bigger electric motor to maximise fuel efficiency. A conventional hybrid usually runs on electric-only power at low speeds or for short distances when cruising at higher speeds. The engine will kick in at higher speeds or when more power is needed, blending petrol and electric power. This makes fuels efficiency in urban environments or star-stop traffic better than what a petrol- or diesel-powered car would achieve. The battery in a conventional hybrid is charged by the engine and from regenerative braking, meaning the car doesn't need to be plugged in. The conventional hybrid car's battery is smaller than those in plug-in hybrid and fully-electric cars, and still requires a petrol engine to run. Toyota provides conventional hybrid set-ups on the vast majority of its Australian line-up, including its RAV4 SUV and Camry sedan. Other popular brands Kia, Hyundai and others also have affordable conventional hybrid variants on its popular models. Plug-in hybrids or PHEVs take hybrid power to the next level because they are equipped with a much larger battery and a more powerful electric motor set-up. PHEVs have a long electric-only driving range, with some capable of exceeding 200km, before the engine is needed to drive the wheels. Most new PHEVs have an EV range of at least 100km. This means daily commuters will rarely have to fill-up on fuel if they charge the battery every night. PHEVs also boast significant combined driving range as they have a regular sized fuel tank to power the engine, resulting in ranges of north of 1000km before the fuel tank and battery are depleted. Carmakers often claim PHEVs drink less than 2.0L/100km of fuel, but that requires owners to constantly charge their batteries and never let it deplete. Once the battery is depleted fuel use will skyrocket, as the small engine has to move around a heavy vehicle weighed down by the battery and electric motors. PHEVs suit a buyer with access to charging facilities, who also want outstanding fuel efficiency. Bigger Chinese vehicles usually employ PHEV set-ups, including the BYD Shark 6 ute and incoming Zeekr 8X and 9X. Range-extender hybrids, also known as Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV) or Extended-Range Electric vehicle (EREV), are gaining popularity globally. They are feature similar hardware to PHEVs, but work in a different way. The engine in a REEV's is used as a generator for charging the battery, and the wheels are driven by the electric motor, or motors, only. REEV's have an EV-sized battery that can also be plugged in to charge, giving these cars a driving range comfortably exceeding 1000km. Leapmotor's B10 and C10 SUVs use REEV set-ups in Australia, but the incoming Forthing Taikon 5 and the XPeng L03 will also employ the set-up when they hit showrooms. Nissan’s ‘e-Power’ hybrid system in the X-Trail and Qashqai SUVs employ REEV tech on a smaller scale, using the engine to power a small battery that powers the wheels, but this battery cannot be plugged in to charge.

If you’re an EV buyer in 2026, you need to know about this.  The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has revealed the state of play for electric and plug-in hybrid cars in Australia in 2026.  This is the 10th year of the ‘State of EVs’ report as more buyers bought EVs than ever before Down Under.  The report analysed the 2025-26 financial year, and how buyer trends and infrastructure, among other things, have changed in that time.  It called for several policy reforms, including targeted equity-based policy to assist economically-disadvantaged Aussies reap the benefits of EV driving. Australia’s charging landscape is diverse, it is also complex and fragmented and needs major investment, according to the report.  In June 2026, there were 4268 public charging locations, which is 235 per cent more than June 2025 There were 11,602 public charge points in June 2026, up 175 per cent compared to June 2025 The EVC said there needs to be more research into how owners charge EVs and where they need them most.  “Australia still needs substantial public charging investment, but the task is not as simple as just installing more fast chargers,” the report reads.   “Most charging happens where vehicles already park—at homes, apartment buildings, workplaces, destinations, kerbsides and depots.” The report calls for a nationally-coordinated charging roadmap and scaled infrastructure deployment. This news comes after NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury told CarsGuide in December 2025 Australia’s charging infrastructure was lagging behind.  “We’re nowhere near. We’ve got nowhere near enough public charging,” NRMA spokesperson Khoury said.  “There are lots of areas that don’t have energy that comes from outside the energy grid so you’ve got to create energy sources at those locations.” The EVC is calling for the government to implement a range of new rules in Australia.  It wants a targeted equity-based policy to help all Australians use EVs and take advantage of the cost savings with EV adoption. The report states that EVs have lower running costs than petrol- and diesel-powered cars, with less maintenance, seeing a typical driver saving roughly $3000 per year.  The EVC said this figure did not include the substantial increases to fuel prices in 2026, with savings calculated today even higher.  It said the federal government needs to implement an updated New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) for cars sold beyond 2029 to align with 2035 emissions reduction targets.  NVES is a set of emissions rules that imposes fines on cars sold that emit high levels of CO2 into the atmosphere.  Developing a car takes a brand several years to complete, meaning carmakers need to know the rules these models will need to follow. It also said there should be a national road-user charge that does not deter EV uptake. This would differ from the current system proposed by the New South Wales government from 2027 that the EVC said would slow EV sales. The New South Wales government wants a road user charge to make up for lost fuel excise revenue and ensure all road users contribute to maintenance.  The EVC found a fully-electric or PHEV car was bought every 100 seconds on average in the first half of 2026, with one in four new car sales using an electric powertrain. The report reads cost-of-living pressures, soaring fuel prices and greater EV choice has contributed to a sharp increase in electric car uptake in 2026.  Fully-electric and PHEV sales accounted for 25.8 per cent of new car sales up to June 2026, increasing from 12.1 per cent up to June 2025 There are 196 combined full EV and PHEV models on sale, compared to 153 models in 2025 There were 157,957 electric and PHEV sales in H1 2026, up 177 per cent from H1 2025 Australia’s EV uptake is now in line with the global average, according to the International Energy Agency “So, at a time when fuel prices are fluctuating and cost-of-living continues to bite, it’s no surprise that EVs have become a popular choice,” the report states.  “As of June 2026, drivers have never had a greater choice of EVs in Australia.” Australia recently got its new cheapest electric car in the BYD Atto 1 that is being offered from $19,990 (drive-away) until December, 15 2026.

If you love the looks of the stunning BMW i3 but aren't quite ready for an EV, the German brand has got you covered with its all-new BMW 3 Series. To the untrained eye, the petrol-powered 3 Series will look identical to the sharp-suited mid-size battery-powered sedan when it rocks up early next year priced from around $85,000. Once again created to rival the Mercedes C-Class and Audi A5, it's only side by side that you begin to spot the huge differences between the i3 and 3 Series. The first is the eighth-generation 3 Series has a longer snout, needed to home a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine that powers the flagship M350 and the inbound M3 that arrives later. The combustion BMW sedan also has a shorter wheelbase and slimmer sill, as there's no need to house a chunky battery pack between the axles. A set of taller four doors completes the changes. Beneath the skin, the new-gen 3 Series is based on the previous model's platform (G20) but grows in every dimension, with it measuring 4765mm (+52mm) long, 1850mm wide (+23mm) and standing 1455mm (+7mm) tall, with a 2860mm (+9mm) wheelbase for a bit more room inside. Space in the second row is still at a premium, but without a battery pack the floor is lower for more space for feet, and the boot is also bigger than the EV with up to 450 litres (+30L) available. Inside, if anything, the 3 Series remains as impressive as the outside, with the BMW gaining the same Neue Klasse cabin design as the i3 and iX3 SUV, which sees the full-width, configurable Panoramic Vision screen stretch from pillar to pillar, replacing a conventional instrument panel. The cabin also combines both a generous, tilted 17.9-inch infotainment system and a huge 3D head-up display, the driver relies on a multifunction steering wheel that features physical buttons to help operate the tech. If you're wondering, the ugly tiller, with its 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock spokes, can be replaced by a more conventional M steering wheel. Bathing the cabin in light are an expansive panoramic roof and large glass windows, which add a light and airy feel to a cabin with an impressive mix of high-quality materials. All the tech runs an Android-based BMW X operating system that introduces an AI-powered Amazon Alexa voice assistant that is capable of a natural conversation. In Australia, just two variants will initially be offered – a rear-wheel drive 320 with 155kW and 330Nm of torque, for a 0-100km/h dash of 7.4 seconds, while the flagship all-wheel drive M350 xDrive punches out 326kW of power and 540Nm of torque. Looking like a proper BMW M product, the flagship version gets M Performance upgrades that see an aero kit added, bigger black 20-inch alloy wheels and a yellow daytime light signature that reminds you of the recent BMW M5 CS muscle car. Off the line, with all-wheel drive the quickest M350 takes just 4.1 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint. For the first time, as well as looking like the M3, the M350 gets something called Drift Moment that switches it to rear-wheel drive to allow the driver to provoke lurid slides (hopefully on track). BMW engineers are confident the i3 and 3 Series will raise the bar for both driver enjoyment and handling, but without compromising long-distance comfort. That explains why, as well as adaptive suspension, the German brand has rolled out its latest Level 2 semi-autonomous cruise control that provides hands-free highway driving up to 130km/h. The same tech is promised to be rolled out to work in urban environments at much lower speeds before the end of next year. Available in up to 11 colours, BMW Australia says it will release pricing and full specifications of the 2027 BMW 3 Series in a few days’ time. When it lands, expect the base 320 to ride on either 18- or 19-inch rims and come with 8-way adjustable heated and ventilated seats, get an electric tailgate and come with adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist. Pay more for the M350 and you'll bag 20-inch alloy wheels, a premium sound system and the sportier BMW M styling kit inside and out. When it launches next year, the 2027 BMW 3 Series will go head to head with the equally fresh soon to launch next-generation Mercedes C-Class and the Audi A5 ($79,900-$89,900) which was introduced in 2025. Shortly after its debut, the German car-maker will reveal both a plug-in hybrid version with a long EV range, and the eagerly-awaited M3 that will be offered with both petrol and all-electric powertrains, with the latter expected to produce more than 750kW from a state-of-the-art quad-motors.

BMW has priced its latest luxe SUV Down Under.  The new-generation BMW X5 large SUV will start from $143,900 for the diesel variant, while petrol power starts from $145,900, both before on-road costs.  This means the diesel variant is $4000 more expensive now, while the petrol variant costs an extra $2000.  The new BMW X5 is due to arrive in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2026, with plug-in hybrid variants available in the first quarter of 2027.  The brand has confirmed a new fully-electric iX5 is also on its way to Australia in Q1 2027.  The X5 will rival the cheaper Audi Q7, with its base diesel-powered variant starting from $120,530.  It will also tackle the new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class that was unveiled in Australia for the first time in September 2026, priced from $142,300.  Both petrol- and diesel-powered variants use an improved 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-charged engine layout with 48-volt mild hybrid system. The base Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d also now comes with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine as standard, but is $1300 more expensive.  Diesel variants now produce 230kW/670Nm, compared to 210kW/650Nm, while petrol variants now make 294kW/540Nm, up from 280kW/520Nm.  Petrol variants can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds.  All examples come with all-wheel drive as standard and a 3500kg braked towing capacity.  The BMW X5 is only available as a five-seater, so it does not have a seven-seater option, like its close rivals the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.  It features BMW’s high-tech interface, with a 3D head-up display and panoramic dashboard-mounted screen.  The car also gets a flashy new 17.9-inch central touchscreen and a passenger display as standard.  The front seats are heated, ventilated and have massage functionality.  Elsewhere in the cabin, there is an 18-speaker sound system and a panoramic glass roof.    Buyers can option heated armrests and rear seats and a rear roller sunblind for an extra $2300.

The BMW X1 won the Best Small Car starting under $80,000 category in CarsGuide's 2026 Car of the Year awards, and the line-up has just received a shake-up. While petrol and electric (iX1) versions of this small SUV are still on offer, there is now a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant. Dubbed the X1 xDrive25e, it’s priced from $79,900, before on-road costs. It’s almost $9000 more than the petrol-powered sDrive20i M Sport ($70,962 BOC), which is only front-wheel drive. This sees it compete against other plug-in hybrid rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLA250e ($78,800 BOC) and Cupra Formentor VZe ($68,990 BOC). Audi hasn’t launched a PHEV version of its new-generation Q3 in Australia yet. Our test car is fitted with the Enhancement Package ($5700) which adds the following: Metallic paint Panoramic glass sunroof 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system Heated steering wheel There is a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that powers the front wheels with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, as well as an 80kW electric motor on the rear axle. Total system outputs are 180kW and 477Nm which is good for a 0-100km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds. There’s plenty of power on tap. Around town the electric motor handles almost all of it on its own, but lean harder on the accelerator or deplete the battery charge and the petrol engine steps in to assist. When the petrol engine first fires there can be slight hesitation as the powertrain shuffles how the drive is sent. It’s brief and then things smooth out. The three-cylinder petrol engine has a fun, perky but you can tell it's working hard to shift 1855kg of small SUV. Feeding the electric motor is a 16.3kWh (14.2kWh usable) lithium-ion battery pack which allows for up to 86km of WLTP-claimed electric range. During my urban real-world testing I saw closer to 55km, which isn’t very much by today's standards. BMW claims the X1 xDrive25e has a combined fuel consumption of 3.3L/100km, according to ADR 81/02 testing, though your usage will depend on how often you charge. When the battery was depleted I saw an average of 9.5-10L/100km, which is a fair bit for a car of this size. There is a 47L fuel tank that requires a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded petrol. Charging up the battery pack can only be done by a Type 2 plug that’s on the front-left quarter panel and allows for AC charging at rates up to 11kW. With this a full charge is claimed to take 1.75 hours. Even though it can feel like the turbo three-cylinder engine is working hard, it’s aided by the electric motor. When you boot the accelerator there's plenty of oomph available, plus if you’re feeling frisky, there’s also a ‘Boost’ mode that turns everything to 11. Once the need for speed is over, it’s surprising just how fun this car is to drive, even around town. This is primarily thanks to light, yet direct steering. This version of the X1 comes with the M Sport package as standard, which means it has a sportier suspension set-up with adaptive dampers. It’s generally comfortable and compliant, though harsher bumps can transmit into the cabin with a jolt. There’s a lot of polish to this car and it’s clear it's still a segment benchmark, at least from a dynamic standpoint. The BMW X1 still has a striking cabin with its dual screen set-up, though the 10.7-inch touchscreen multimedia system does look a touch small now compared to some of its competitors. Looking elsewhere there's the classic chunky BMW steering wheel, a generous amount of open storage under the centre console, a handy clamp to hold your phone on the wireless charger, as well as a comically small centre armrest storage spot. Despite being a small SUV, there’s still a generous amount of space in the second row. Plus, the floor is virtually flat, meaning the centre seat isn’t a terrible place to sit. Though the centre seat has a roof-mounted seatbelt which does eat into rearward visibility. Adding to the segment-defying space, it has 490L of boot space with the rear seats upright, expanding to 1495L when folded. Surprisingly for a PHEV there’s even underfloor storage for the charging cables, however there’s no spare wheel. Petrol and electric versions of the BMW X1 have a five-star ANCAP safety rating. It’s unclear whether this will be extended to the PHEV. The following safety equipment is on offer: Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) Blind-spot monitoring Rear cross-traffic alert Lane-keep assist Adaptive cruise control Lane-change assist Surround-view camera Front and rear parking sensors Parking assist Dashcam All of the safety systems are well-calibrated and don’t interfere with the driving experience, unless required. Like all BMWs, the X1 xDrive25e is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is standard for luxury carmakers but lacking when compared to mainstream counterparts. The high-voltage battery is also covered for eight years or 160,000km. BMW offers three- and five-year pre-paid service packages which are priced at $1466 and $2493, respectively. The latter equals about $500 per service, which is typical for a European luxury car of this size.

BMW has crossed a line owners of its cars around the world believe it shouldn’t have by turning the multimedia screens in their cars into what they perceive to be advertising billboards. What the German carmaker is positioning as “a limited-time themed experience” promoting the movie Spider-Man: Brand New Day and delivered through its Festive App has the blood of BMW owners and drivers in 35 markets boiling. Selected post-2020 BMW models played a full-screen animation on the main multimedia screen in response to the tap of a banner served across its upper third. And in what appears to be a tangled web of overreach, the in-car ‘experience’, run in partnership with Sony Pictures and Marvel from July 27 to August 10, then took control of the car’s audio system and ambient lighting settings to lean into the movie. In BMW's defence, a company spokesperson told CarsGuide, "Each driver could individually decide with a single click whether they wanted to view the Spider-Man animation or not. "Similar activations have been featured in BMW vehicles on several occasions and they were positively received. "The animation was intended to generate excitement for the new BMW iX3 and its appearance in the film. "It was not designed to promote the film or serve as a conventional movie trailer. "Therefore, it should not be considered traditional advertising, and there will continue to be no advertising displayed in the vehicle," they said. That response aligns with statements made by BMW’s top brass three years ago, committing to ensuring a car’s interior remained "a private space." Speaking at an industry media roundtable discussion in late 2023, BMW Group Senior Vice President for Connected Company Development Stephan Durach specifically stated its cars’ interiors were not a commercial space. ‘In-car commerce’ has emerged in parallel with the proliferation of automotive subscription services and increasing efficiency of over-the-air updates.  BMW has history with more formal (and commercial) software-based subscription sales, previously pitching monthly fees in a variety of markets for unlocking everything from heated seats and remote engine start to adaptive cruise control and Apple CarPlay. But this time around the company said the Spider-Man activation is a one-off promotion rather than the leading edge of a longer-term marketing strategy. And it’s worth noting BMW Australia opted out of the campaign.

The soon-to-arrive BMW iX3 40 eDrive will open the new iX3 range, sitting well below the iX3 50 xDrive in terms of price, but not in terms of equipment, with both models sharing the same features list. BMW has secured Luxury Car Tax-busting pricing for the 40, starting at $89,900, before on-road costs. For that, you get a single motor for rear-wheel drive and a smaller battery than in the twin-motor 50 xDrive. The iX3 40's battery is 82.6kWh and the range promise is a still-considerable 635km, while its rear motor delivers 235kW and 500Nm – enough for a sprint to 100km/h in a brisk 5.9 seconds.

In a world of monstrously big SUVs and terrifyingly giant utes, there still exists the super large saloons for those who prefer to maintain a powerful presence with class and sophistication.  We're talking limos - not the party kind - we mean the luxurious transport for business executives or those who prefer to be driven rather than drive. We've put together the top 5 largest cars currently sold in Australia Length: 5139mm Width: 2241mm Height: 1464mm A Lotus was not on my list of possible big-car candidates, but here we are with the fully electric 5139mm long Emeya four-door lift back. The Emeya is the first of its kind from a brand that forged its iconic reputation by building tiny sportscars in a shed. Things have changed and Lotus is now owned by Chinese manufacturer Geely, and the Emeya is built in China.  While not the longest car here, the Emeya is actually the widest with its wing mirrors out. Despite its enormous exterior dimensions the Emeya isn’t particularly voluminous on the inside, but there are four seats and a 509-litre boot.  Dual motors make 450kW and 710Nm, 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds. The starting price is $190K. Length: 5139mm Width: 1900mm Height: 1450mm Secretly loving that a Toyota, sorry Lexus, quietly slipped into this top 5 elite party. At 5235mm end-to-end the LS isn’t small, and nor is it short on luxury. Lexus positions itself as a Benz or BMW on a budget, but with a starting price of $200,000 the LS isn’t all that cheap. The value is outstanding, however, compared to the others here, and while rolling up in a Lexus to meet business executives at the airport doesn’t have the same impact as a BMW 7 Series, but as a car girl, I honestly think the LS is more opulent. Powered by a V6 hybrid the LS is without a doubt the most reliable and cheapest to maintain limo here. Length: 5391mm Width: 1950mm Height: 1544mm BMW’s 7 Series is seriously imposing, a cliff face on wheels, with its gigantic grille and its sheer vertical drop, but it’s not just all front - this beast is 5.39m end to end. As a reference the Australian design rules state a car park space must be 5.4m long and 2.4m wide. So it’ll fit… just.    Updated for 2026/27 with BMW’s next-gen Neue Klasse design the 7 Series looks even more menacing and futuristic, while the interior is sporty and hi-tech with screens everywhere.  As for powertrains you can burn fossil fuel with a 3.0-litre inline 294kW/580Nm six-cylinder engine on offer but the electric i7’s enormously powerful and torquey motors (making up to 400kW and 745Nm) and seamlessly brutal ability to get out of its own way suits the big BMW limo better.   The 7 Series starts at a list price of $272,900. Length: 5469mm  Width: 2109mm  Height: 1510mm The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is a super luxury version of the S-Class and it’s even longer than one too. A regular S-Class long wheelbase is 5289mm end to end while the Maybach version stretched 180mm at 5469mm in length. While more or less the same car as the S-Class the Maybach offers more legroom, more decadence and more engine - with a V12 offered on the higher grades. The Maybach is also more expensive - almost double the price of an S-Class LWB at about $630,000 Length: 5982mm, width: 2154mm Height: 1656mm Of course the biggest car sold in Australia is a Rolls-Royce and it’s not just the Phantom Extended, it’s also the Ghost Extended at 5715mm and the Spectre Series II at 5453mm. But if we had included them, then the top 5 biggest cars would have all been Rollers. So we’ve gone for the largest Rolls-Royce car, the Phantom Extended, which at 5982mm is more a train than a car and 220mm longer than the standard wheelbase Phantom. While there are only four seats in a Phantom Extended they are the size of lounge chairs in a sumptuous hotel lobby and legroom is, well you can literally lie down back there because the seats become beds. In Australia the Phantom Extended starts at more than $1.1m but as with most Rolls-Royce’s the customers will want to personalise it with bespoke touches taking the final price much higher.