BMW 5 Series Touring performance is excellent. The firm is offering four diesels and three petrol engines and a new eight-speed automatic gearbox. Petrol engines range from the entry level 523i (0-62mph in 8.2 seconds), to the 528i (0-62mph in 6.9secs) and to the quickest petrol-powered Touring the 535i (six seconds to complete 0-62mph). All come with a six-speed manual as standard with the eight-speed automatic offered as an option.

Diesels will be the popular choice as executives select them on company car schemes. The 520d is the entry level diesel and likely to be the popular choice. Performance is adequate rather than outright impressive with 0-62mph covered in 8.3 seconds with a top speed of 138mph. Official figures state average fuel consumption is 54mpg with CO2 emissions of 135g/km – that puts it on company car drivers’ selection list and is one of the most competitive cars for running costs in its sector. Overtaking requires a little planning though the optional automatic provides smooth, quiet gear changes.

Other diesel choices are the 525d (164g/km CO2 and average of 44.8mpg), the 530d (169g/km and 44.1mpg) and 535d comes with the eight-speed automatic as standard (165g/km/44.8mpg).

A strength on which BMW sells all its cars and even a car as large as the 5-Series Touring provides a really involving drive especially on smooth, twisty A-roads. However, the steering is a little on the heavy side but plotting lines through corners is an accurate business. There are smoother rides around though and the run-flat tyres only further emphasie the bumps and lumps in any road surface.

On the motorway the Touring comes into its own eating up the miles with ease and provides a very stress-free way to cover large distances in comfort. Parking such a large car is made a lot easier thanks to the parking sensors and the steering is light at these low speeds so you don’t feel you are wrestling the car into a space.