![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/2021-bmw-540i-review-03.jpg\" "\\"2021-bmw-540i-review-03\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe 540i from the G30 BMW 5 Series generation remains a truly unsung hero. The 2021 BMW 540i<\/a> was one of my earliest car reviews, but the novelty didn\u2019t guarantee a favorable reception. Even though it was an LCI (mid life-cycle refresh) year, the car still didn\u2019t get the full 385-horsepower B58 other \u201c40\u201d cars got. That said: it was still admirably quick in a straight line and felt luxurious at any speed. Steering was on the light side and there wasn\u2019t a ton of feel, but the variable sport steering did an okay job of letting you know when the front wheels were doing. Furthermore, nothing but good things to say about the suspension tuning. Firm, but comfortable. Today, a G30 540i can be had for a pittance relative to a new M5.<\/p>\n We have to mention the other \u201cM5 side door,\u201d the 550e xDrive. I admittedly haven\u2019t personally driven any G60 5 Series yet, but if you believe what you read in our 550e review<\/a>, it\u2019s \u201cbetter than the M5.\u201d Combining a turbocharged inline-six with electric assistance, the 550e xDrive produces substantial system output while offering meaningful electric-only driving range. Sounds eerily similar to the M5. Of course, on a slightly smaller scale; the 550e delivers \u201cjust\u201d 483 horsepower, 250-ish shy of the M5. Either way, it deserves a mention.<\/p>\n Although the iX doesn\u2019t try to mimic an M SUV, its EV powertrain naturally lends itself to comparison. After all, instant torque and a low center of gravity have obvious performance benefits. Even in xDrive50 form, acceleration is forceful enough to embarrass many traditional performance SUVs. Equally impressive? The iX is composed at any speed, and the truck\u2019s steering is way more communicative than it really has any business being. It\u2019s fast, but the speed feels integrated rather than aggressive. For many drivers, that seamless, silent thrust might be more satisfying than the theatrics of a full M model. The cheaper iX xDrive45<\/a> does a similarly admirable job of making an EV fun to drive.<\/p>\n Before M Performance models became dominant in the lineup, the F30 340i was already demonstrating how much car BMW could deliver without going full M. Early B58 power, rear-wheel-drive availability, and a relatively lighter footprint give it an engaging, analog-adjacent feel compared to newer, heavier sedans. It\u2019s quick enough to be genuinely entertaining, yet approachable at sane speeds. Maintenance and consumable costs are lower than an M3, and the ride is generally less punishing.<\/p>\n We\u2019re pushing \u201cmodern\u201d on this one a little bit. The last F30 sedans rolled out of Munich (and other plants) in 2018, making the newest one now eight years old. That said, the 340i still has a fairly modern iDrive interface (although sans Apple CarPlay), and you can even find one with a manual transmission! As a used market buy, it may be one of the smartest enthusiast sedans of the last decade.<\/p>\nBMW iX (I20)<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nBMW 340i (F30)<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nBMW X5 xDrive50e (G05)<\/h3>\n
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