I Drove the New BMW 5 Series for 900 Miles To See if It's the Perfect Vacay Family Car

First, let’s figure out how we should define a perfect family car/long-distance cruiser, or a vacation car for that matter – because different people vacation differently.

I think we should go with the traditional definition for long distance vacations, which is when the entire family gets to explore new destinations in a bid to create lasting memories and forget about the everyday grind they’re trying to escape.

Believe it or not, the vehicle of choice for this type of endeavor can be crucial, and the family sedan can be considered a staple of American road trips. It offers a solid balance of comfort, practicality and, in many cases, performance, but several other factors come into play, such as driving dynamics, fuel efficiency and nowadays, advanced safety features.

Comfort is perhaps the most critical aspect, and it’s something to consider both for yourself as the driver, as well as for your passengers. Safe to say, the driver needs to be the most comfortable, because you need to safely get your family from A to B over a large distance without any interference. Well-designed seats providing ample support and cushioning can be crucial, and you want adjustable lumbar support too.

Meanwhile, the car’s suspension system should be finely tuned to absorb road imperfections to reduce bumps and potholes. Think of it this way: you’d much rather drive from NYC to Memphis (that's about 900 miles) in a “regular 5 Series” than you would in an M5 Competiton, especially if you’re staying off the highway as much as possible so that you can visit a bunch of smaller towns along the way.

With regards to reliability, it’s a bit tricky because if you just bought a new car, odds are nothing’s going to go wrong with it from a mechanical standpoint. However, you’ve got to consider the reliability of the vehicle’s electronics and infotainment system, which should function without glitches. Connectivity is paramount nowadays, and if you’re like me, then you’ve definitely struggled using various third-party apps in your car via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

In terms of space, as long as you’re driving anything bigger than a sports sedan, you should be good, unless you’ve got more than two kids, or if you want to bring your pets along.

By opting for a G60 BMW 5 Series sedan for this trip, I was all set comfort-wise, and especially fuel efficiency-wise, because what you’re looking at here is a 520d xDrive model, meaning it’s got a mild hybrid 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine and all-wheel drive, working alongside an 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission.

This is a tremendous powertrain. It’s actually the same powertrain I used last year for that feature story with the G30 BMW 5 Series sedan where I drove for 435 miles on just half a tank of diesel. This gave me an excellent benchmark for the all-new 5er, because I got to compare it to its predecessor in exactly the same circumstances.

Let’s get into the meat of things and talk shop. The sheer size of the G60 5 Series makes it a brilliant car over long distances. I can honestly say that I felt more rested in the G60 than I did in the G30 after 8+ hours behind the wheel. The difference isn’t major or anything, but it’s noticeable. The G60 is just that tiny bit more comfortable, and softer to the touch.

Ironically, it’s also that tiny bit less sporty, and last time I checked, this was supposed to be the “Ultimate Driving Machine.” All I can say is that you need to put the G60 in Sport Mode so that it drives as sporty as the G30 does in Comfort Mode. As for what the G60 feels like when it’s not in ‘Sport’, well, kind of like a mix between a G32 6 Series Gran Turismo and the old W213 Mercedes E-Class. It’s surprisingly “wafty”. Great for long-distance cruising, not so great if you’re a BMW enthusiast looking for a predominantly dynamic experience.

By the way, that whole 435 miles on half a tank of diesel thing? Not doable in the G60 520d – and we’re talking identical specifications, just different generations. The newer car is heavier by about 220 lbs (100 kg) on average, and it has a smaller fuel tank (15.8 gallons / 60 liters instead of 17.4 gallons / 66 liters). Maybe in extreme conditions you could get there, but not during casual driving.

All things considered; I had a great time with the 2025 BMW 5 Series and got to explore some really nice southern European regions. As far as mid-size sedans go, it’s pretty much beyond reproach when it comes to comfort. And don’t get me wrong, it can still corner and handle really well when it must – it's just not as agile as the G30. It’s also got a slightly smaller trunk than its predecessor, but the difference is negligible.

Is it the perfect family car for vacations? No. But the perfect four-door sedan? Maybe. I mean, I don’t see why not. Unless you’re vacationing in Nurburg, I think any 5 Series specification will do a delightful job for you and your family.

Pros

• Size
• Comfort
• Efficiency

Cons

• Weight
• Intrusive active safety tech