BMW 5-series Review - Is This The Best Saloon In The World?

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If you want a 5-series with sportier overtones, M Sport variants are between £3770 and £4295 on top of the SE’s price, while xDrive all-wheel drive is an option on both diesels for an extra £2k. Aside from tiddly 17-inch wheels, standard equipment is impressive with LED headlights, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control and BMW’s crisp 10.25-inch display connected to the latest iDrive infotainment system all standard.

The most efficient way of building on the equipment level is via BMW’s option packages, each bundling together a combination of features that take the 5-series from being well endowed to positively dripping with tech. Burrow further into the options list and you will find a faintly preposterous range of toys, including a £3750 Bowers and Wilkins sound system, massaging seats, remote control parking and a Driving Assistance Plus system which reaches level 2 autonomous driving - that is the ability to take over in two functions ie steering and throttle in a traffic jam.

In the executive class though, the BMW does not have the playing field to itself. Mercedes-Benz moved the goal posts further than ever with its latest E-class, presenting the class with a true luxury car in (relative) miniature. The E-class has a more spacious and technologically advanced looking interior, but lacks the BMW’s driving finesse. Jaguar’s XF is arguably a better handling option than the new 5-series, but is worlds away from the BMW and Mercedes-Benz when it comes to interior ambiance and general refinement.

The Volvo S90 is now also a rival to be taken into consideration, possibly being the best looking and most serene executive option available, but like the Mercedes is not quite as talented where dynamics are concerned. Audi’s A6 is also well outclassed by the BMW, although an all-new model is now close away and will likely challenge the 5-series for class honours when it arrives early in 2018.

Overall, the 5-series functions in much the same way as it’s predecessors did, offering a brilliant compromise between driving pleasure and overall saloon car excellence regardless of engine or spec. The Touring model shares all the good stuff with the saloon too, but does so with a bigger, pooch worthy carrying capability.