BMW 5 Series Touring estate (2010-2017) - Interior & comfort

The BMW 5 Series Touring estate builds on the impressive comfort and practicality of the 5 Series saloon. Its boot offers 560 litres of luggage space with the rear seats raised and 1,670 litres when they’re folded down. That’s pretty huge, albeit still not as much as in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate, which holds 695 litres with the seats up and 1,950 litres with them down. Still, the BMW has roughly the same amount of space as another key rival, the Audi A6 Avant.

It has the widest boot floor in the class, as well as a standard load-dividing net, a shallow underfloor storage area and a split-opening tailgate. Plus, there are lots of lashing points and even self-levelling suspension to help the car cope with heavy loads.

The suspension of SE models is supple and the car is quiet on the move – wind noise is only noticeable due to how quiet the engines are. However, if you want comfort in an M Sport version, you need to add the optional adaptive dampers, because this model’s sporty suspension is stiff, verging on downright uncomfortable.

A long wheelbase means there’s decent legroom, which allows passengers in the back to stretch out as much as those in the front. Bear in mind, though, that any middle rear passenger will have to sit with one foot on either side of the large central tunnel, which isn’t comfortable on long journeys.

Still, there’s good headroom all round, and the vast range of adjustment in the seats and steering wheel means it’s easy for anyone to find a good driving position. Adding to the appeal is standard climate control on all models.

BMW 5 Series Touring dashboard

The BMW 5 Series Touring has a minimalist cabin that’s superbly put together, featuring high-quality materials and a great finish throughout.

It’s just as good as anything from Audi or Mercedes, with a logical layout that is easy to use and totally focused on the driver – the class-leading iDrive infotainment system is now clearer than ever and includes online services.

You can even specify an optional head-up display, which projects information such as your current speed and sat-nav instructions on the windscreen, so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road.

You’d have to be extremely pernickety indeed to have any issues with the way the 5 Series Touring is put together, because it feels superb. Everything is made from high-quality materials, and they’re put together with real rigour.

Equipment

Every 5 Series Touring model comes with almost all the standard equipment any buyer could need. The kit includes all the basics for an executive car, such as leather seats and a Bluetooth phone connection, as well as climate and cruise control. In addition, there are automatic lights and windscreen wipers, as well as parking sensors both front and rear. All of this means that an SE or M Sport-spec 5 Series with an entry-level diesel engine represents relatively good value for money.

The Luxury trim adds more, err, luxurious features as opposed to the sporty touches of the M Sport version.

Options

Despite the extensive standard equipment, you can spend plenty more money on optional chassis systems that improve the driving experience further, plus various iDrive add-ons (such as online connectivity) that will satisfy even the most ardent gadget freak.

We’d also recommend thinking about an upgraded stereo and sat-nav system. Not only will this improve your day-to-day experience with the car, but it’ll also make it more desirable when the time comes to sell.

Make sure you choose your 5 Series Touring with metallic paint – this will also make it easier to sell and probably worth a little more, too.