In 2012, BMW brought out the turbocharged 3.0 liter engine ActiveHybrid 5. The ActiveHybrid 5 is a real wheel, four door sedan that holds five passengers.
Key Features
Key features of the ActiveHybrid include the 3.0 liter inline six engine that comes with a combined 335hp. The 1.35 kWh lithium ion battery pack consists of 96 lithium ion cells. The eight speed automatic transmission makes acceleration smooth. City driving will offer you 23 mpg where highway driving will offer you with 30mpg.
Changes for 2012
Changes to the ActiveHybrid that distinguish it from earlier years include “ActiveHybrid 5” lettering on the C-pillars, exhaust matte chrome tailpipes, and the BMW kidney grill with galvanized slats.
What We Like
The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 provides superior handling and has a high quality interior. Once you drive the ActiveHybrid 5, it will make other hybrids feel like they move at a much slower pace.
What Concerns Us
The concern with the ActiveHybrid 5 is the very small difference to the fuel economy it offers when compared to other vehicles in the five series. Furthermore, there is not a lot of acceleration benefit when compared to the 535i, yet it costs much more. In addition, the battery takes up much of the trunk space and the seatback does not fold down.
Available Models
BMW has a total of seven sedan models in the five series. The Sedan 4D 528i gets 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. It comes with 240hp, a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine. The Sedan 4D 528xi AWD offers 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Under the hood is a 2.0 liter turbocharged inline 4 with 240hp. The Sedan 4D 535i comes with 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. It offers 300hp with a 3.0 liter six cylinder engine. The Sedan 4D 535xi AWD provides 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. It has a 3.0 liter six cylinder engine with 300 hp.
The Sedan 4D 550i has a five star safety rating that has 15 mpg in the city and 23 mph on the highway. It has a 4.4 liter V8 engine. The Sedan 4D 550xi AWD offers 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. It has a 4.4 liter V8 twin turbo eight speed automatic engine.
Major Recalls
No recalls have been issued for the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5.
Common Issues
Customers have complained about the lack of trunk room, especially because the back seats do not fold down. The battery is located in the trunk, which takes up a lot of space.
