BMW 5 Series

Sorry, but the BMW 5-Series is currently the best car in its class for all-round performance. You might recoil at the BMW image, but you can’t argue with the car.

• Comfort

  Again, run-flat tyres make the 5-Series a right spine-botherer on lumpy roads. BMW seems to set its cars up with Germany in mind - but the pay-off is that they handle better than anything else. There's plenty of room in the front and back and it's made of nice stuff inside. A long-distance dream for the driver, but the rest will feel every pothole.

  

• Performance

  Nothing lacking here - loads of engines and not a dog among them. Briefly there are petrol versions including a 523i, 525i, 530i, 540i and 550i and several diesels including the frugal 520d, 525d, and 530d. If you can afford it, the 530d is the one to go for; 170kW, 500Nm of torque, 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds and a limited 250km/h top speed. At the other end of the scale the 520d still gets to 100km/h in 8.3 seconds and does 240km/h. The petrols are more fun - better throttle response and a lust for revs- but you lose when it comes to running costs.

  

• Cool

  A 530d Touring gets the respect nod from any petrolhead. A base-spec 520d doesn't.

  

• Quality

  Exceptional quality throughout is one of the reasons why BMWs have such good residual values. A quick fondle of switches, handles and seats tells you all you need to know. Chunky stuff.

  

• Handling

  Glorious rear-wheel drive performance, exceptional body control and sweet steering make the Five a force to be reckoned with no matter what the guise. The best in class for going around corners, bar none.

  

• Practicality

  Go for a Touring if you need extra space, but the saloon is big and proud; the boot is a cavernous 520 litres.

  

• Running costs

  If you're worried, you need the smaller-engined versions that have decent CO2 outputs and good economy. The bigger petrols will do 10L/100km or more and have high insurance, so be ready to factor in running costs before you go mental with the spec.