• Exceptional build quality
• Brilliant infotainment system
• Stupid air vent controls

How is the quality and layout?

The quality of the 5 Series’ interior is utterly exceptional – and it goes a long way to justify the car’s steep asking price. The dashboard and trims have been pieced together with millimetric precision – and we couldn’t find a single squeak or rattle anywhere in the cabin. It puts the Mercedes E-Class to shame.

We like the 5 Series’ technology suite, too. Every version of the car is fitted with BMW’s Curved Display infotainment setup, which comprises a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard. They’re moulded together under one giant piece of glass – and we think it looks great.

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Our biggest criticism of the 5 Series’ cabin are its air vents. The air rushing out of them is incredibly noisy on all but the lowest setting, and the air vents themselves are opened and closed with touch-sensitive sliders. We think this is a gimmick too far. Simple physical vent controls would have sufficed.

Infotainment and technology

Not only does the 5 Series’ look good – it works well, too. The graphics are crystal clear, its processor is rapid, and the menu design feels instantly familiar because it’s laid out like a smartphone. And, although you don’t get a physical climate control panel, there’s a fixed climate menu at the bottom of the screen.

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Like all BMWs, the 5 Series also features a rotary controller and a collection of hotkeys on its centre console that allows you to navigate around the central screen without poking it with your finger. It’s a fantastically intuitive setup – and we reckon it’s far safer than a purely touchscreen-based infotainment system because you don’t need to divert your attention from the road for as long to operate it.

Comfort

• Supportive seats
• Loads of adjustment
• Incredibly refined

We love the new 5 Series’ seats. They manage to be both accommodating and figure hugging thanks to their wide range of adjustment settings. You get the usual range of height and rake settings, along with options for seat base tilt, lumbar support and bolster adjustment. We don’t have a tester on the team who couldn’t get comfy.

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We were impressed by how well the 5 Series filters out road and wind noise, too. The car has a drag co-efficient of just 0.23, which means it scythes through the air like a hot knife through butter – and the sound deadening muffles every road imperfection short of a shell crater. The effect is infinitely more impressive in the plug-in hybrid 550e, as you can cut out the engine noise and motor around on electric power alone.