The i5, BMW's electric version of the 5 Series, is so crucial to the German brand that it was the car with which the company chose to launch the entire 5 Series range. But of equal importance is the plug-in hybrid line-up, which comprises the basic 530e and its more powerful sibling, the 550e. Promising all the flexibility of petrol power and a usable electric range to reduce the need for fuel on shorter trips, these plug-in hybrids are shaping up to be the perfect executive saloons for many, so will the 530e prove as compelling on the road as it is on paper?

In the metal

The plug-in hybrid versions of the new 5 Series aren't immediately distinguishable from the equivalent i5, with much the same bodywork and even similar levels of standard equipment.

Both plug-in hybrid versions of the 5 Series - the 530e and the 550e - come in M Sport specification as standard, which means they get glossy black trim around the grille and low down on the body. The bodywork is much the same, too, with a neat, modern nose and sharp rear end, as well as clean flanks and flush door handles. Narrow light clusters and smart alloy wheels complete the look, along with glossy trim around the windows.

Inside, the design is similar again, with the same minimalist dashboard topped with the massive 'Curved Display' infotainment housing that spans much of the dashboard's width. As with new i5, that system uses BMW's latest technology and houses pretty much all the vehicle's functions from navigation to climate control and from driver assistance to voice control. Specify the right options and you can even use it as a games console.

Either way, the tech is impressive, with sharp screens, quick reactions and a configurable home screen that allows you to put all the things you use most just where you need them. That said, there's so much stuff packed in that it will be worth spending an hour or two at a standstill learning your way around and setting it up just so if you want to make the most of it.

Once you've done that, you can use BMW's handy iDrive rotary controller on the centre console to help navigate the menus. By using that and having a decent idea of what you're trying to do, the little dial will allow you to navigate almost without looking, which makes it safer on the move.

We aren't quite so impressed with the heater controls, though, with BMW stubbornly refusing to put physical switchgear back in the car. The touchscreen system seems to improve with every update of the software, admittedly, and the temperature controls are accessible from every display, but it would still be far better to have a conventional set of buttons.

Anyway, the result is a much more modern cabin than that of the old 5 Series, if not necessarily a more ergonomic one. And key to the atmosphere is the crystalline plastic ambient light bar, which doesn't look or feel as premium as it should but provides changing lighting profiles depending on the situation and the drive mode selected.

Despite the light bar feeling a little bit low rent, it doesn't detract from a cabin that's largely very impressive. The new 5 Series gets a 'vegan' interior as standard (leather is an option), but most of the materials still feel upmarket and well designed, while the build quality is predictably solid. There are one or two plastics that don't quite feel as posh as they probably should, though.

There's plenty of space, though. Every combustion-engined version of the 5 Series saloon, whether petrol- or hybrid-powered, gets the same 520-litre boot, which is more than sufficient for most requirements, and there's a Touring estate version on the way for those who require more capacity. You get plenty of space in the cabin, too. Rear legroom is very generous indeed and headroom is sufficient, too, even for those blessed in the height department.

Driving it

Like the smaller 330e, which is a popular choice among BMW 3 Series customers, the 530e combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and rechargeable battery to create a powerful plug-in hybrid system. In fact, when the petrol engine and the electric motor work together, the maximum output peaks at a plentiful 299hp. With that power flowing through an eight-speed automatic gearbox to the rear wheels, performance is predictably impressive - the big 530e is faster from 0-100km/h than plenty of hot hatchbacks - but efficiency is the real goal. And that's even more impressive.

Because the 530e comes with a relatively chunky 19.4kWh battery, it's capable of around 100km on electric power alone, and that will be enough for most owners to use on most days of the week. And with 184hp heading to the rear wheels from that electric motor alone, you won't even need the petrol engine to provide ample performance. That means the school run, commuting and shopping can all be undertaken without using a drop of petrol, and you can recharge the car as you would any other electric vehicle. It takes three-and-a-quarter hours from a 7.4kW 'wallbox' charging unit.

Then, when the weekend comes around and you want to go further afield, the petrol engine means you can travel hundreds of kilometres without worrying about charging or running out of juice. Just find a petrol station and fill up as you normally would in minutes.

But if most of your journeys are short, the 530e should prove incredibly economical, with official figures suggesting those who charge regularly will burn less than a litre of petrol every 100km on average. And the official emissions figure of 13-17g/km is absurdly low for a massive saloon with 299hp and a petrol engine. Naturally, that's not only good news for the planet, but also for your tax bills.

There's no doubt that many customers will be drawn to the 530e because of its relatively low starting price - it's only a little more expensive than the considerably less potent 520i petrol option - but it's the flexibility provided by the long-range electric propulsion system and the engine that really seals the deal. You can use the 530e as a predominantly electric vehicle, assuming you have easy access to home charging and you aren't traversing the country every day, but it still can cross countries and continents with as little hassle as a conventional petrol or diesel car. And given there's currently no diesel option in the new 5 Series range (although other markets get a 2.0-litre diesel 520d model), it's the most efficient option going.

It's also one of the nicest 5 Series models to drive. The i5 versions of the 5 Series are pretty good from behind the wheel, but the 530e feels much lighter on its feet and therefore more agile and more responsive. It feels like a much smaller car than the dimensions would suggest, too. That's partly down to the steering, which is precise and well weighted, and it elicits a rapid response from the front wheels.

But the body must follow the wheels in short order, and BMW's exemplary work in the suspension department means it does so despite its bulk. The car leans a little in corners, but all its movements are neatly controlled and there's no lurching from side to side as you turn, or even from front to rear when you brake or accelerate. It's all very composed and that inspires plenty of confidence in the car's capabilities.

Often, when cars drive this well, there's a trade-off to be found when it comes to comfort, but the 530e rides very well - perhaps more so than the i5 eDrive40, which was already a comfortable thing. It doesn't completely isolate you from the bumps in the way a larger BMW 7 Series will, but it works with the road surface to provide enough feel for what's happening under the wheels without ever letting the bumps get too uncomfortable. Sure, the worst potholes will make a bit of a thump, but even they seem to have their edges smoothed slightly by the 530e's suspension.

That makes this 5 Series a very relaxing car, particularly over long distances, and that's an impression that only grows thanks to the refinement on offer. Naturally, the car is very quiet in electric mode, but it doesn't get too loud when the engine is running, either. Normally, four-cylinder engines feel unduly harsh when compared with a near-silent electric motor, but while the BMW engine isn't as silky as the six-cylinder option in the 550e, it still manages to avoid feeling intrusive unless you really work it hard.

What you get for your money

With prices starting at €73,105, the 530e is barely any more expensive than the supposedly entry-level BMW 520i saloon, despite having considerably more power. That's largely down to the tax implications of plug-in power, but the 530e is also considerably cheaper than the i5, which is over €10,000 more costly. And it isn't like it's short of equipment, because two-zone climate control, wireless charging and a reversing camera are all included as standard in the M Sport trim level.

Summary

With the flexibility of plug-in hybrid power, and a newfound sense of lightness and agility, the BMW 530e looks set to win plenty of fans. And rightly so. No other plug-in executive saloon is as enjoyable to drive, and few look as stylish, offer as much efficiency, or provide the same level of tech and luxury. There is, of course, the question of the other plug-in 5 Series, the 550e, but though that's a more powerful and more refined car, it's more expensive and less efficient than the 530e, which will be more than adequate for most buyers.