TEST DRIVE BMW's 530e boasts soft yet powerful acceleration amid EV chasm

BMW's 530e plug-in hybrid sedan / Korea Times photo by Lee Min-hyung

BMW's 530e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedan may be the best alternative for those who still remain hesitant to purchase electric vehicles (EV) but want energetic driving experiences from electric motors.

The vehicle is part of the strategic lineup from the German carmaker, as the EV industry is on a path to cross a chasm. The 530e is powered by a combination of a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor. The vehicle can travel 73 kilometers with only its electric motor, according to a certification by the Ministry of Environment. When the vehicle runs out of battery power, the internal combustion engine activates operation for continued driving.

The hybrid powertrain gives drivers the impression of driving two separate vehicles. When it drives on the electric motor, it does not create any noise at all just like most other typical EVs. If it switches to the gasoline engine, the vehicle becomes energetic and dynamic.

A side view of BMW's 530e sedan / Korea Times photo by Lee Min-hyung

Even if few would refute that EVs are the future direction of the global vehicle industry, many drivers still feel a sense of burden to purchase EVs due to lingering inconveniences triggered by weak charging infrastructure and lower mileage performance than conventional vehicles.

The 530e will be the best option for them, as drivers can enjoy the silent driving experience of an EV without any concerns over frequent charging even for a long-distance drive.

If you turn on its sports mode, the vehicle becomes much wilder, reminiscent of BMW’s symbolic dynamic driving.

The interior of BMW's 530e / Korea Times photo by Lee Min-hyung

The vehicle costs around 90 million won ($65,500) in Korea. There are some other alternatives under the relatively high price range, but few luxury carmakers can manufacture such quality vehicles with similarly robust driving performance.

Another upside of the vehicle is its decent mileage performance of 15.9 kilometers per liter. This adds more efficiency to typical 5 Series sedans with only gasoline engines. Given Korean customers’ fever for the 5 Series, the 530e is also a good alternative that can satisfy customers seeking diverse driving experiences and still have a taste for EVs.