BMW X5

It’s hard to argue with the new BMW X5 – it’s imposing to look at, amazing to drive and now has a seven-seat option. SUVs don’t come much better.

• Comfort

  The X5 is firm but well sorted, so it's really very comfy, especially over long distances. BMW has also installed some lovely seats which seem to suit the bigger driver and the car is quiet at all speeds.

  

• Performance

  All the bigger BMW engines are wonderful and the X5 boasts the best. You can go for a ‘base'  3.0d (245bhp, 0-62mph in 7.3 and a 138mph top end), the same diesel tweaked to 306bhp (4.0d) or go for the range-topping twin-turbo 4.8-litre V8 with 408bhp, 155mph and 0-62 in 5.5.

  

• Cool

  It's a big SUV, so it's genetically incapable of coolness. Might want to respect it though.

  

• Quality

  Build quality on the new X5 is exemplary. And the new gear selector is weird but brilliant.

  

• Handling

  Only the Porsche Cayenne comes close to the X5 in terms of on-road handling; the X5 can really shift. Swivel motors mounted on the anti-roll bars mean that at slow speed the X5 can ride well, and then when the going gets faster it can tighten itself up to feel more sporting. Feels a bit weird actually.

  

• Practicality

  For an extra grand you can have seven seats, which should stop bigger families drifting to the Land Rover Discovery, even though those rear seats are for kids really (even BMW makes that point). The car is huge, but visibility is good.

  

• Running costs

  Petrol isn't the way to go if you're worried about running costs; the V8 gets low twenties. The diesel fares batter with 38.2mpg, but this is an expensive car to own and run - they start at Group 17 insurance.