2026 Best Large Luxury Car: BMW 5 Series

After considering all the large luxury cars on the market in Canada, the jury of over 20 experts at AutoTrader has voted for the BMW 5 Series lineup as the Best Large Luxury Car for 2026. BMW 5 Series shoppers are spoiled for choice with gas, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and fully electric powertrains on the menu. For wagon lovers (with deep pockets), the 717-hp M5 Touring PHEV ticks all the performance and practicality boxes. But whichever model buyers choose, the 5 Series delivers an unrivalled combination of luxury, comfort, and engaging driving dynamics. It’s also a good-looking piece – elegant and understated while sitting on the road with poise and purpose.

For many shoppers, the base 530i xDrive sedan with its punchy and impressively efficient 255-hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive is all the 5 Series they need. Standard is the excellent eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, and as the lightest 5 Series in the stable, it shows nimble moves along with a smooth ride and quiet cabin. As AutoTrader reviewer Kunal D’souza put it, “Relative to the bonkers i5 M60 EV, it’s easy to think of the 530i as underpowered, but the four-cylinder is more than ample for the daily commute. Sport mode hastens gear changes, sharpens the throttle, and adds weight to the steering system.”

The plug-in hybrid 550e xDrive ups the game considerably, with its 3.0L turbo inline-six and electric motors generating 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. It will travel up to 55 km on electrons alone before the gas engine kicks in.

Our experts like the 5 Series’ cabin with its crystal-clear swath of digital screenage armed with the latest iDrive 8.5 operating system, easily one of the best infotainment systems in the business. D’souza says, “The fundamentals that go into making a great interior are all present: a perfect driving position, supple and supportive seats, quality materials, exemplary build quality, and excellent ergonomics.” We especially liked the mosaic-like illuminated trim panels that create a subtly avant-garde effect.

Rear seat room in the 5 Series Sedan is fine for two adults, but a bit tight for three. Still, the carved-out backs of the front seats help with legroom, and with the rear seat cushion being slightly elevated, passengers get a clearer view over the hood.  What impresses is this two-door’s capacious 520L trunk, expandable by folding down the split rear seat.

The 5 Series’ utility takes a huge leap forward with the M5 Touring. Granted, this insanely fast and eye-wateringly pricey super wagon is a niche vehicle, but what a ride it is, and we must thank BMW for bringing it to market here. The M5 is also available as a sedan, but the take rate for the Touring in wagon-loving Canada is 2:1.

All this 5 Series goodness translates directly to the fully electric versions, as the i5 xDrive40 Sedan (389 hp, 435 lb-ft), and i5 M60 xDrive (593 hp, 605 lb-ft) share their platform, bodies, and interiors with the gas/hybrid models. Either version is very quick by any standard, and with the underfloor battery providing a low centre of gravity, these electric 5 Series sedans handle well. AutoTrader Associate Editor Sébastein Bell says, “Despite providing a sedate and supple ride, the i5 doesn’t wallow on the highway like land yachts of old. It still feels confident at high speeds, and it’s more than capable of tackling fast curves.”

The BMW 5 Series stable offers luxury car buyers a broad bandwidth of capability, and whether the choice is gas, PHEV, or EV, this large premium sedan serves up an intriguing blend of style, performance, and efficiency. Yet this car goes beyond just the numbers. The 5 Series won over the AutoTrader jury with its trademark BMW holistic harmony that makes it a pleasure to drive.