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Best Executive Car

BMW 5-Series

Commended: Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class

BMW 5-Series

Can anything topple the 5-Series? The all-conquering BMW has now won this award four years running – and shows no sign of being usurped any time soon.

BMW isn’t resting on its laurels though. Earlier this year, it made a raft of changes to keep the 5 ahead of the game. As part of the firm’s Efficient Dynamics programme – which focuses on weight reduction, engineering and consumption – all nine powerplants are either new, or have been enhanced to boost performance and economy.

Inside, criticisms of the somewhat fiddly iDrive system have been addressed with eight programmable ‘favourite’ buttons that access frequent functions such as a top sat-nav destination. New technology, including a lane departure warning system and adaptive cruise control with stop and go, which works in traffic, has also been added.

However, the strongest weapon in the 5-Series’ armoury is its driver appeal. While it’s every inch the comfortable executive cruiser, it can perform like a sports car when prompted. Passengers don’t go short-changed, either – there’s generous rear seat accommodation and the boot is big, too. With unrivalled build quality and the excellent Service Inclusive maintenance package, it’s no surprise the firm sold a record number of models here last year.