A four-star Euro NCAP crash test score is below average when rivals from Audi, Volvo and Mercedes have achieved the maximum five stars. However the 5-Series Touring does come with six airbags as standard (two rear side airbags are optional) plus dynamic stability control.

The 5-Series has a useful load space and with no boot lip, loading and unloading heavy or awkward objects is easy. However compared to the Audi A6 and Volvo V70, the luggage area is around 70 litres smaller – and compared to the E-Class it lags behind by almost 200 litres. Thankfully folding down the rear seats is straightforward – although they don’t sit totally flat, and this boosts space to 1,650 litres.

Up front there’s decent storage, although the centre cubby under the armrest is a little small.