2023 BMW 5 Series
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $55,969–$65,603 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2023 BMW 5 Series is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.7/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.8/10, while Value at 6.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.0/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 8.5/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.5/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. On technology it rates 8.8/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $55,969–$65,603, 27 MPG, seating 5, the BMW 5 Series sits in the premium tier of the sedan category. The value score of 6.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2023 BMW 5 Series will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on value if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2023 BMW 5 Series ranks #428 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 67% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $55,969 starting price is about 102% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$9,720 ($1,944/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2020 BMW 5 Series scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.7 — and starts roughly $5,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $59,431 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $57,700 | Read review → |
| 2023 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $55,969 | |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $54,238 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $52,507 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $50,776 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $49,045 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $47,314 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $45,583 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.3/10 | $43,852 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $42,121 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 6.9/10 | $35,000 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 06/12/2023 · 23V821000 | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2023 BMW 5 Series that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2023 BMW 5 Series's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.7/10 overall, ranking #428 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 67% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2023 BMW 5 Series starts at $55,969 and ranges up to $65,603 across trims (MSRP when new). At 27 MPG, expect roughly $1,944/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest 5 Series years we've rated are 2014 (6.9/10), 2015 (7.2/10), 2017 (7.3/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.8/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
The documented issues for the 2023 BMW 5 Series are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Power train (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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Explore the full lineup of BMW models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.