Model year 2007 began last March for the BMW Fivers, and the only newness concerned the audio: it's now MP3-capable, satellite-radio ready, and has an auxiliary jack. Notwithstanding the controversial looks of the latest-generation sedan, there's no denying that, for pure driving pleasure, it's a genuine winner. The Fiver comes in four flavours, progressing through the 525i (3.0 litres, 215 hp), then 530i and AWD 530xi (3.0 litres, 255 hp), and culminating in the V8-engined 550i (4.8 litres, 360 hp). Whether manual or automatic, the transmissions are all 6-speeds. Already-excellent handling is even "excellenter" if you get the optional active steering. But it's not all about the driver. The back seat is actually roomier than those of many direct rivals.

Still the benchmark for the class

Tail treatment looks quite dated