The seventh-generation 5 Series is, completely and utterly, a consummate all-rounder.
The judges feel it offers the best driving position of its rivals, and its feature-packed, user-friendly iDrive infotainment system is light years ahead everything else. It wipes the floor with its rivals on running costs. It’s the cheapest to buy privately, or as a company car, and this frugal 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine will cost less to fuel than competitors’. Add to that the fact it’s the most comfortable and the quietest car in its class then it’s clear that its dominance in this price bracket will take some toppling.
In this category the judges look for:
They concluded that the 3 Series is a joy to drive yet remains supremely comfortable and relaxingly refined, especially on the motorway. It has class-leading infotainment and plenty of space in the front and rear.
The BMW 330e does almost everything from an executive car, great to live with and relatively cheap to run.
In this category the judges look for:
They concluded that the 3 Series is a joy to drive yet remains supremely comfortable and relaxingly refined, especially on the motorway. It has class-leading infotainment and plenty of space in the front and rear.
The BMW 330e does almost everything from an executive car, great to live with and relatively cheap to run.
The BMW 3 Series is a deserving winner of the Safety Award with its excellent adult and child occupant protection. It’s been designed to minimise the injuries it would cause to vulnerable road users in the event of an accident and its active safety systems are among the best.
GT stands for Gran Turismo, and it certainly delivers plenty of mile-munching muscle. The six-cylinder diesel engine delivers the throatiest growl of its rivals, and offers smooth, punchy performance. Plus, it’s more efficient than its competitors.
Inside, it’s durable, plush and packed with technology, and the major positive here for the 6 Series GT compared with its rivals is the space on offer. The rear may not swoop down so dramatically as other coupé-like cars in this class, but its cavernous boot puts others to shame, and the limo-like space in the back allows passengers to properly stretch out.