Should you buy one?

Absolutely. The BMW 5 Series Touring is our favourite large executive estate car, indeed it’s one of our favourite cars of any sort. That’s because it’s one of the car world’s great all-rounders. It’s more than spacious and practical enough for most people’s needs, it’s great to drive, the engines blend performance and efficiency well, the interior is lovely and packed with tech. More to the point, it will tackle any task you could ask of it without breaking sweat.

Yes, it’s not quite as sharp to drive or as refined as the 5 Series saloon. But what you lose in dynamic prowess you gain in usability.

What we like

The 5 Series Touring has the best ride and handling balance of any large estate, and it has a fine range of engines to make the most of it. It feels properly plush inside, and the tech is useful and easy to use – for the most part.

What we don’t like

The boot isn’t quite as big as the Mercedes E-Class or Skoda Superb estates, it’s size can make parking tricky and… that’s about it.