BMW 5-series

Once upon a time, the 5-series was a tactile and agile hot rod for the autobahn; today, it is merely a roomy, luxury conveyance. All engines are turbocharged: the diesel inline-six; gasoline four-cylinder, inline-six, and V-8, and the gas-electric hybrid; each pairs with an eight-speed automatic. The gas six features a rare manual gearbox, and all but the hybrid offer all-wheel drive. We’re not fond of the precise yet numb steering, and options can push the price past that of a 7-series.