X

2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo (photos)

The 550i Gran Turismo is an odd duck. A typical 5-series in its underpinnings, the body gives it more interior room but also weighs it down.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
34073596_SS01.jpg
1 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
BMW launched the Gran Turismo version of its 5-series to compete in the new crossover market. It sits lower than an SUV, but higher than a sedan.
34073596_SS02.jpg
2 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
Although a few inches higher than the 5-series sedan, it retains a subtle style that makes it blend in well on the road.
34073596_SS03.jpg
3 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
The 550i Gran Turismo gets BMW's latest engine, a 4.4-liter V-8 with a twin-scroll turbo. This engine offers more than enough power, but fuel economy is low.
34073596_SS04.jpg
4 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
The cabin's generous proportions make it very comfortable, with good headroom front and rear.
34073596_SS05.jpg
5 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
BMW equips the 550i Gran Turismo with an adaptive suspension, which can be set between comfort and sport modes.
34073596_SS06.jpg
6 of 23 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The Gran Turismo has a standard hatchback, which can be set to open at different heights.
34073596_SS07.jpg
7 of 23 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
Alternatively, you can just open this small rear hatch for quick access to the trunk.
34073596_SS09.jpg
8 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
The rear seats fold forward at the touch of a button, maximizing cargo room.
34073596_SS08.jpg
9 of 23 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
Our car came with a rear entertainment system and a luxury rear-seat package, which makes the rear seats power adjustable.
34073596_SS10.jpg
10 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
Except for the slightly higher seating position, the cabin of the Gran Turismo is identical to that of the 5-series sedan.
34073596_SS11.jpg
11 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
BMW tried to give the Gran Turismo the same driving dynamics as the 5-series sedan, but we felt it was less capable in the turns, partly because of the extra 500 pounds it carries.
34073596_SS12.jpg
12 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
A gauge at the bottom of the tachometer shows instantaneous fuel economy, and the car's regenerative function. The 550i Gran Turismo sends power back into the battery when braked, although there is no electric drive motor.
34073596_SS13.jpg
13 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
The head-up display projects the vehicle speed and route guidance instructions on the windshield.
34073596_SS14.jpg
14 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
BMW's new automatic transmission has eight gears, which should improve fuel economy, but the 550i Gran Turismo still earns a gas guzzler tax. We were not impressed with this transmission's Sport mode.
34073596_SS15.jpg
15 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
You can configure the car's Sport mode slightly, choosing to tighten the suspension and make the engine more responsive. There is also a Sport Plus mode that turns off traction control.
34073596_SS16.jpg
16 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
The navigation system uses these brilliant 3D maps that not only render buildings in major cities, but also show topographical features, such as mountains and canyons.
34073596_SS17.jpg
17 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
Zoom out to a mile or more, and the maps change to satellite imagery.
34073596_SS18.jpg
18 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
The navigation system shows traffic congestion and dynamically routes around it.
34073596_SS20.jpg
19 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
HD radio is standard in the 550i Gran Turismo, delivering high-quality broadcast radio over FM.
34073596_SS21.jpg
20 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
The disc player reads MP3 CDs, and you can also copy or rip CDs to the car's onboard hard drive.
34073596_SS22.jpg
21 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
The premium audio system option includes a seven-band graphic equalizer.
34073596_SS23.jpg
22 of 23 Josh Miller/CNET
The 550i Gran Turismo gets BMW's standard Bluetooth phone system, which can copy a paired phone's contact list to the car. But unlike the new 3-series, you can use voice command to place calls by name.
34073596_SS24.jpg
23 of 23 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
Our car came equipped with this sonar-based park distance warning. BMW makes two different camera systems available: a backup camera and an around-view array of cameras.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos