BMW 5 Series Sedan ActiveHybrid 5 Review: Hy 5

What we like:

Improved fuel consumption over the 535i

strong low end grunt

green credentials

drives and looks very much like a ‘normal/ 5 Series

lower priced than a 535i thanks to Green Vehicle Rebate

What we dislike:

No on paper performance advantage

smaller luggage area due to batteries

additional weight due to the batteries

The ActiveHybrid 5’s interior is pretty much similar to the 535i’s bar unique side sills with ‘ActiveHybrid 5’ letterings on them as well as additional power transfer diagram screen and fuel consumption chart screen displayed on the iDrive screen. Like its exterior, t F10 5 Series’ interior bears a strong resemblance to other BMW models’ like the 7 Series. It is far superior in perceived luxury and build quality when compared to its E60 predecessor’s. Both the driver and front passenger get standard electrical adjustments for their comfortable and supportive seats. In addition, the driver gets an electrically adjustable steering column for an even more comfortable driving position.

At the rear, there is sufficient enough leg and headroom. The ActiveHybrid 5 suffers from slightly compromised luggage space. With the hybrid system’s power unit sitting in the boot, directly behind the rear seatback, the ActiveHybrid 5 offers a noticeably smaller boot than a standard 5 Series model.

Equipment levels for the ActiveHybrid 5 are lavish to say the least. It features cruise control, head-up display, electric sunroof, four-zone climate control, adaptive Xenon headlamps, soft closing doors, Surround View, Park Assistant and much more.

Thanks to the current Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) policy, the ActiveHybrid 5 makes a strong case for itself as it is priced about $18,000 lower than a 535i. With the ActiveHybrid 5, there are also financial savings to be made over the 535i when it comes to fuelling costs thanks to its more fuel economical nature. With the scrappage of the GVR next year though (it’ll be replaced by the CEVS), the ActiveHybrid 5’s case won’t be as strong as it ought to cost more than the 535i to buy.

Credits: Story by Joe Yeo Photos by Jonathan Tan and Raymond Lai