Is The All-New, 2017 BMW 5-Series ONLY Good Looking In M Performance Form? What Say YOU?

For what feels like an eternity, we've been following the development of the all-new, BMW 5-Series. We saw oodles and oodles of spy shots, we watched the latest spy video and we did our best to keep you informed.

After some teasers and a leak, the next-gen 5-Series appeared this week.

2017 BMW 5-Series

Painting broad strokes here, it seems like the all-new midsize luxury sedan isn't connecting with the Spies though. Some have derided its evolution as a bit too tame and others just don't feel particularly inspired by the all-new cars' looks.

To me though, if it drives and it functions anything like the all-new 7, it will be a better product over the competition. Thing is, form does matter. Especially when to many buyers perception is reality.

Personally, while leafing through the 5'ers pics I only came across one of the variants that stirred me. Predictably, that was the M550i. No, it's not a real M vehicle but it was tuned up by M GmbH. Much like the M240i, it's not the real deal but it looks the part.

That said, I have to ask: Is the M Performance trim the ONLY way to get the all-new 5?

Please note: The M Sport package will be different from the M Performance vehicle — look closely.

2017 BMW 5-Series

MDarringer - 10/15/2016 4:04:39 PM

+2 Boost

Its sin is that it's just boring in every possible way stylistically. It doesn't look bad, but in no way does it look special in that "gotta have it" way that Mercedes seems to do so deftly.

Car4life1 - 10/15/2016 5:58:12 PM

+3 Boost

Unfortunately BMW made a mistake and modeling the seven series after the three series which in turn led to a bland design language for an entire model generation when they receivedfeedback on the disappointing land interior of the three series they should have gone back to the drawing board for the seven series

When you have automakers like Volvo stepping up to the plate in terms oh interior design you put your lineup in a very vulnerable state, one that Mercedes-Benz has been taking advantage for two years

cidflekken - 10/15/2016 4:07:32 PM

+3 Boost

Let's see it without fancy lighting and shadowing.

Dexter1 - 10/15/2016 5:34:26 PM

+1 Boost

Just my opinion: A conservative redo of an existing conservative-looking car. The side surfacing is nice, especially the sculpting around the roof and Hoffmeister kink leading into the side details. Back end looks okay. (Silly looking trapezoidal exhaust finishers serve up an unnecessary me-too cliché.) Overall, I think its quite handsome in its presentation. Nothing as dramatically unappealing as what Lexus is doing, but I don't hate where BMW went with this.

TauronB2G - 10/15/2016 7:04:33 PM

+4 Boost

Just like the current car it looks great In that color with the M Sport Package. Not so much in lighter colors and without.
T

nguyenvuminh - 10/15/2016 9:20:26 PM

+4 Boost

I'm struggling with the thought of BMW's car designers spent the last 4-5 years racking up their collective creative thinking caps and this is what came out of that process.

nguyenvuminh - 10/15/2016 10:13:29 PM

+5 Boost

For clarification, I am referring solely to the exterior design. I'm sure all of technical and engineering features are worthy of the BMW fame.

kussimek - 10/16/2016 12:08:04 PM

+4 Boost

No wonder why Mercedes Benz is blowing BMW away in sales in the US. Their cars just look more and more boring. I thought it was a 3 series.

Holydude - 10/17/2016 1:38:56 PM

+2 Boost

Really can't tell this apart from the current model, must be getting old...

280SE - 10/18/2016 9:46:58 AM

+1 Boost

I agree with the numerous comments that this is merely an incremental change in terms of design and nothing to get overly excited about. But at least this new car has athletic proportions and a nice long and wide look to it. There is also some unique chiseling to the side metal and around the greenhouse that at least is interesting. Without badges you would know this is a 5 Series. The overall design is very similar to the 3 and 7, but the shape and scale of this car lets you know this is a 5 without question.

The new MB E Class however is no better in the exterior design department and is guilty of all the things this 5 Series is, if not more. The E looks more like a C Class than it ever has before-- a major departure for that model. I know the new E class is bigger than the car it replaces, but the proportions of the car evoke the C Class through and through. Also Mercedes seems to have put zero effort into the Luxury trim lines with small and cheap looking 17" rims as standard, despite the fact that the Luxury trim is probably the best way to get the car looking like an S Class. It is as though the Luxury trim was specifically made for chauffeur driving. The car design does work very well as a wagon though and the company has certainly advanced the industry in interior design and technology.