The F10 5 Series Touring has been around since January 2011 and most of the fans embraced it without question. Some of us were afraid that the new design, shape and weight of the car will damp its BMW spirit and, even more of us, were a bit surprised by its look. Some people called it ugly, some called it genius, and others just restrained from commenting.
CarBuyer published a consumer report in January on the 5er Touring. Here's what they found. First of all, the car has the most practical boot of its class. It is comfortable, a pleasure to drive and offers a lot of room. That is no surprise, as the Touring is based on the 7 Series F01 chassis that is quite long. The boot is vast and it has all kinds of stowage and ingenious solutions to stop bulky loads from moving around.
When it comes to the driving sensation, a real reason for concern for any BMW owner, the Touring drives almost as good as the saloon. It is even better if you get the Adaptive Drive option which will bring BMW's famous driving experience at the tip of your toes. The recommended engine is the 2-liter diesel with 184 HP because it is the perfect combination between sportiness, economy and practicality. Of course, if you're an adrenaline junkie you can also go for the bigger, 6-cylinder turbo engine for strong performance.
The ride of the car is comfortable and smooth, thanks to the advanced suspension. The engine noise is really well muffled out and the wind noise is noticeable only at high speeds. There is also an M Sport package available but, in order to have the same comfortable suspension you had without it, you'd have to get the optional adaptive dampers. There is a lot of legroom, similar to that found in the F01 7 Series, in both the front and the back. Another good thing is that climate control comes as standard in all models.
As usual the interior design of the cabin is superbly put together and has, like all the BMW cars, a high-class finish, in which the best materials have been used. Safety is rated at 5 stars by Euro NCAP, so no worries there.
The tailgate has 2 opening options. You can just open the glass part separately for smaller packages, or the whole tailgate for bigger ones. Otherwise you can open the whole tailgate by waving your foot under the rear bumper, an extremely useful option for when you have you hands full.
Overall, the car receives 4.5 out of 5 stars, which makes it the best rated car of its class.
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