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What's New for 2012
The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is the newest member of the 5 Series family. As its name suggests, it features a gasoline-electric powertrain.
/Introduction
How much are you willing to pay for the word "hybrid" on the back of your car? If $6,000 seems a bit steep, then we'd suggest considering something other than the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5. That may seem harsh, but when you compare this new hybrid version of the 5 Series to a regular 535i, you'll see that you're paying extra for the hybrid name and technology, but not reaping any appreciable benefits.
Of course, almost every hybrid on the road could be considered a dubious financial decision, especially those that are based on non-hybrid vehicles like the ActiveHybrid 5. Quite simply, the added price for electric motors, batteries and the high-tech control systems remains very high. As a result, it takes years or even decades to recoup the hybrid price premium through simple savings at the pump. With this BMW , however, it could take centuries to recoup the $6,000 price difference between it and a similarly equipped 535i.
The ActiveHybrid's city fuel economy may be 2 mpg better than the 535i (the two share a turbocharged six-cylinder engine), but highway fuel economy is actually worse by 1 mpg. Some hybrids do a different tack, improving performance while standing pat on fuel economy. The ActiveHybrid should indeed be quicker than the 535i, but we're not sure shaving a few tenths of a second from 0-60 mph is really worth it.
We're guessing most people considering an ActiveHybrid 5 are doing so for fuel economy rather than performance, and for them, we would suggest checking out the BMW 528i. Its turbocharged four-cylinder returns better fuel economy and it delivers 0-60 acceleration that's within 1 second of the more powerful ActiveHybrid. Comparably equipped, a 528i would be about $10,000 cheaper.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is a midsize luxury sedan available in a single trim level. The regular 5 Series is addressed in a separate review.
Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, automatic and adaptive bi-xenon headlights with auto-leveling and LED halo running lights, foglights, automatic wipers, power-folding and auto-dimming heated mirrors, a sunroof and keyless ignition. Inside you get cruise control, four-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power front seats with four-way lumbar adjustments, front seat memory functions, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and leather upholstery. Electronic features include the iDrive interface, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a navigation system, voice controls, real-time traffic information, BMW Assist emergency communications and a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.
The Premium package adds front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a power trunk lid and keyless ignition/entry. The Cold Weather package includes headlight washers, heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel. The Luxury Seating package adds ventilated and massaging front seats, a power rear sunshade and manual side sunshades. The Sport package adds automatically adjustable suspension damping, an increased top speed, special interior and exterior trim, a sport steering wheel and multicontour 14-way power front seats with four-way lumbar. The Premium sound package adds a 16-speaker surround-sound audio system and satellite radio. The Driver Assistance package adds automatic high beams, a lane-departure warning system and a blind-spot warning system.
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