While there's a sizeable shift towards buying smaller cars these days, exec-class saloons still provide much of BMW's meat and drink, and the new 5-series has much to live up to given the success of its predecessor in both retail and fleet sales.
The 5-series is a car that delivers a superb overall package, and does so in a consistent manner. There aren't any specific fortés, rather a comprehensive and rounded whole. The cabin is much improved, though; its classy, refined shapes and materials contrasting with the dour environment of the previous car. The cumbersome double-bubble dash has been replaced with a more streamlined layout that gravitates towards the pilot's seat.
While top-spec models come with active steering that guides the rear wheels to enhance cornering, all versions are nimble beyond the expected constraints of the car's size, and are genuinely enjoyable to drive on twisty roads. The advanced steering system works in the same was as that on Renault's Laguna GT, slightly aligning the rear wheels to the front ones at high speed, but opposing them at low speed, to produce tight turns in town but smooth transitions between lanes on the motorway. While run-flat tyres are supplied as standard, this doesn't inhibit the ride too much. Indeed, chassis refinement is noticeably better than before.
A slightly bewildering choice of seven power plants will be available, but such is the excellence of BMW's diesel units, that just 10 per cent of sales are expected to be petrol cars. We drove one of each - the 530d and 535i, both of which have six cylinders and broadly similar headline performance stats. The petrol car feels a little unresponsive given its capacity, though, and the oil-burner is actually the keener of the two. The smart money will probably head for the 520d, which offers that all-important balance of pace and economy.
There are a couple of niggles worthy of comment, however. The rear seats don't fold as standard on the saloon, which is an annoyance for families that may need extra load-lugging space on occasion. Also, economy and emissions are a bit disappointing considering BMW's recent advances in those regards on other models. While the 5-series' engines have become more efficient, the scale of progress is not as much as we'd hoped for. That said, opt for any of the three diesel choices with an automatic transmission and you'll beat the 160g/km of CO2 company car tax benchmark.
Value for money will be particularly important for private buyers, and it's good to see leather, Bluetooth connectivity, parking sensors and cruise control make the spec sheet for even entry-level models. Beyond that, however, most ticks on the options list will set you back a fair chunk of cash, and seem uncompetitive.