Depending on whether you are looking for an SUV or a luxury sedan, your best two BMW options for a family are the BMW X5 and the BMW 5 Series sedan. These provide enough driving comfort, ample room and luggage room for a family of four or five to travel safely and enjoy the ride.
BMW X5 – The best BMW family SUV
The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with a rear-wheel-drive and an option for xDrive. It was first introduced in 1999 and from then on, there have been four generations of BMW X5s. The X5 is a very luxurious vehicle, bringing in high technology features and a modern dashboard. It comes in many engine options and an 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission.
When you are talking about family cars, you need a big vehicle. And the 2020 X5 is nothing short of big. With a length of 194 inches (4.9 meters) and a width of 79 inches (2 meters), this vehicle can easily fit in 5 passengers, and their luggage in the back.
The new 2020 X5 even offers the option to become a true seven-seater SUV with a third row of seats that can easily fold up and down, depending on your preference.
The BMW X5 is the preferred choice over the BMW X7, because of the price difference, size difference and lack of additional features suitable for a family.
Regarding vehicle safety, The BMW X5 2018 xDrive30d received a 5 out of 5 stars score in the Euro NCAP test with an adult occupant rating of 89% and a child passenger safety of 86%, which is great overall.
Engine options of the 2020 BMW X5
The petrol engines available for the 2020 BMW X5 are extremely powerful, with a great acceleration from 0 to 62 miles per hour.
The slowest engine, the X5 xDrive45e is a 3.0 L l6 turbo hybrid, paired with an electric synchronous motor and reaches 62 miles per hour in just 5.6 seconds.
The fastest engine, the X5 M Competition, (S63 4.4 L V8 twin-turbo), gets to 62 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds. For an SUV, this is a groundbreaking speed. All gasoline engine options are as follows:
- xDrive40i
- xDrive50i
- M50i
- xDrive45e
- X5 M
- X5 M Competition
The diesel options are a bit less powerful but are still reliable and fast. There are only 4 diesel options and no hybrid version. The available diesel engines are:
- xDrive25d
- xDrive30d
- xDrive40d
- X5 M50d
The X5 is a good fit for a family of four or five since it provides a lot of space for both front and back seat passengers, safety, and driving comfort.
BMW 5 Series – The best BMW luxury sedan
The BMW 5 Series is an executive car sedan, which aired in early 1972. Ever since, it’s been a top pick for government officials and businessmen alike. There have been seven generations of BMW 5 Series, the last of which started in 2016 with the G30, G31 and G38 BMWs.
The G30 is quite ample, with a length of 194 inches (4.94 meters) and a width of 73 inches (1.86 meters). It can comfortably fit a family of five and their luggage.
Both the front and the back seats are ample and the infotainment system is top-notch. The interior of the vehicle is packed with luxurious leather and most importantly, has a very comfortable driver position.
The BMW 5 Series G30 uses a double-wishbone suspension in the front and a 5-link suspension in the rear. There are touring models available in the series, which offer self-levelling air suspension in the rear of the car.
Regarding the car safety rating, the BMW G30 received a 5-star review in the Euro NCAP test, with 91% for an adult passenger and an 85% for a child, which is quite impressive.
BMW G30: Suspension and steering
If you are wondering about the steering of the BMW 5 Series, it does not fall behind the BMW X5 and uses the newest version of rack and pinion steering, paired with electric power assistance. Not only that, but anti-roll bar add-ons come in as optional equipment, as well as integral active steering, which is an option for some models.
Engine options of the BMW 5 Series G30
The BMW G30 comes in many engine options, starting with a 1.6 – 2.0 L B48 l4 gasoline turbocharged engine. The transmission can either be a 6-speed manual gearbox or an 8-speed automatic. Other gasoline engine options are as follows:
- 1.6 – 2.0 L B48 l4
- 3.0 L B58 l6 turbocharged
- 4.4 L N63lS63 V8
Regarding the diesel engine options of the BMW 5 Series G30, there are only two options available:
- 2.0 L B47 l4
- 3.0 L B57 l6
Aside from that, there are two plug-in hybrid drivetrains that you could pick from, the l4 turbo plus electric motor, or the l6 turbo plus electric motor options.
Before investing in a new car, it can be a good idea to look at how long it will last. So how long do BMWs last?
FAQs about driving a family-friendly BMW
Which other BMW models are good as a family car?
Most BMW X3, 5 Series, 7 Series and X7 are good for a family car. They all provide ample space, luggage space, and good safety ratings. They are also quite easy to drive and give you a good feel on the road. Of course, the 7 Series and X7 models are more on the high end, regarding price and luxury.
Which is the most reliable BMW family car?
For a family of four, the BMW X1 would be a perfect fit, as it scored 99.2 per cent reliability on Whatcar’s rating index. Not only that, but BMW X1 has been ranked as the most reliable luxury subcompact SUV across many channels and by many reviewers. It is safe to say that it is a great choice. On the other hand, it might be a bit small for a family of five. Regardless, the newer models are just as big as first-generation BMW X3s.
