Did we tell you just how brilliant BMW is? They have now gone full circle in our estimations, from premium luxury rubbish to brilliant. How long will this rejuvenation last? we truly don’t know. But know this the BMW 5 Series is brilliant and it becomes brilliant-er with the 2021 facelift. But as with all automotive “facelifts” vis-a-vie mid-cycle updates the revisions are limited to new tail-light and headlight clusters/technology. Engine ‘upgrades’ are limited to the use of new materials and a remapping of the ECU software. The revisions/updates also include new front and rear bumper designs and a few interior upgrades.

Front, adaptive LED headlights are now standard. The M Sport trim reveals new bumper and rear diffuser designs. The interior has barely any upgrades to speak of. Although the 12.3-inch touchscreen is now based entirely on the software found in the BMW 7 Series. A 48V Mild-Hybrid system becomes standard across the range of engines offered.

Mild-hybrids use kinetic energy that is stored in the 48V battery, which in turn powers ancillary systems such as the windows, seat heating etc. The stored energy is also used as a temporary power boost at low speed and for fuel-saving coasting measures.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series will continue to be offered with the same range of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines and numerous power derivatives, all mated to an 8-speed automatic. Will there ever be a fully electric BMW 5 Series? Not for another 10 years or so.

The updated and slightly revised, but still the more or less the same underneath brilliant BMW 5 Series is available to order now. Prices in the UK start from £37k for the entry-level saloon, add £2k for the entry-level estate. M-Sport model trims add £3,500 to the asking price.