BMW 7 Series

The BMW 7-Series is a superlative limo-lite sedan. If you drive yourself, then this is the best bet bar none.

• Comfort

  Stick the suspension in ‘comfort' and waft around. The Seven is a big car, so you'll have acres of space to wander around in, and the way it silently glides down a motorway is blissfully stealthy.

  

• Performance

  There are four and five-litre V8s and a 6.0-litre V12 for those really in need of the ‘express' part of executive. The 750i gets 11.4L/100km, hits 100km/h from rest in 5.9 seconds and the usual 250km/h limiter. The V12 isn't that much faster, but has a different jet-like character.

  

• Cool

  The 7-Series gets respect rather than lustful attention. Borderline cool, if you can carry it off - rather like a big hat.

  

• Quality

  Brick shithouses quake in the face of 7-Series build quality. The secondhand market knows no fear of the pre-owned Seven.

  

• Handling

  The only really big sedan that can deliver on the driving promise - even in the extended long wheelbase version. There's not much body roll, and the rear-wheel drive arrangement is just a joy. Adjustable suspension helps. Everything else in the class feels like a bus compared to this.

  

• Practicality

  Remarkably practical, the 7-Series, especially if you opt for the extended 'L' version which has acres of important-businessman space in the back. Loads of space and they all come kitted out with the important bits as standard and the boot is huge with a capital H. They may be hard to park, but you'll get used to it.

  

• Running costs

  Not especially cheap to run, but this is a very large, very premium car. Residuals surprisingly aren't that great for a BMW - perhaps thanks to those looks.