2017 BMW 530e Review | An Almost Compromise-Free Green Option
So-called green technology is good for the world, but until now it hasn't been so good for the hip pocket. Electric vehicles, alternative fuels and plug-in hybrid tech usually commands a premium compared to traditional petrol engines.
The 2017 BMW 530e features the German automaker’s latest plug-in hybrid tech that allows it to travel a short distance (your daily commute for instance) without producing a whiff of exhaust emissions due to its electric drive system, while also allowing limitless open-road travel thanks to a more familiar petrol engine.
How much more would you expect to pay for a ‘best of both worlds’ eco solution like that? Surprisingly the 530e commands no premium compared to the petrol-only 530i it shares its basics with, showing that BMW is serious about greening Australia’s landscape - albeit at a slow-selling end of the market.
This could be the start of a seismic shift in the way Australians select a new car, but before we get swept away in a tide of green euphoria let's jump behind the wheel to see if the 530e makes more sense than its regular petrol-powered counterpart.
Vehicle Style: Prestige large sedan
Price: $108,900 plus on-road costs
Engine/trans: 185kW/420Nm 2.0 4cyl petrol-electric hybrid | 8sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 2.3 l/100km | Tested: 5.5 l/100km
OVERVIEW
To be fair, the 2017 BMW 530e doesn’t mark the first time a plug-in hybrid matches the price of an internal combustion BMW, with the X5 40e priced to match the diesel-powered X5 40d, but diesel cars are traditionally more expensive than petrol ones, so this is the first time prices match at a base level.
Performance doesn’t take a hit with the green option either. Both the 530e and 530i produce 185kW (that’s a combined figure from the petrol engine and electric motor in the case of the 530e) and both can hit 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds from a standing start.
Standard features haven't been reduced either as all the 530i’s essential bits carry over to the 530e with sat nav, leather trim, M Sport styling, powered front seats and more, all part of the included package.
BMW 530e - Prices, Features, and Specifications