An exceptional car
Access is pretty easy for the front and rear passengers. Four adults will feel extremely at ease inside. Of course, you can sit a third person in the back, but expect to hear some complaints. Not only will you be able to accommodate your guests, but you will have no problems fitting all their luggage into the spacious trunk. In addition, there are many storage compartments conveniently spread throughout the cabin.

It's virtually impossible not to feel relaxed when you take place in the driver's seat.

The overall comfort provided by the BMW 535xi is beyond reproach. The seats are very comfortable, with several adjustments that make it easy to find the ideal driving position. It's virtually impossible not to feel relaxed when you take place in the driver's seat.

Ride quality works in the same way to ensure that occupants remain every bit as comfortable on the road. The suspension is incredibly smooth and compliant. Also worth mentioning is the optimum noise insulation, which creates a supremely quiet interior.

A truly exceptional car
That being said, handling and performance are usually the trademarks of any BMW. Well, I'm happy to report that the 5-Series is in no way an exception to this rule. Accelerations are strong and linear, without any hiccups. In fact, I would go as far as to say that this German sedan delivers a more rewarding performance than some sport-tuned competitors.

The 300-hp engine is quite responsive considering the size of the 535xi. Handling exceeds most people's needs and, even during spirited driving, the car never feels heavy. My tester featured BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive technology; in just about every conceivable road condition, it offered the same reassuring stability. Meanwhile, the transmission always does a commendable job -- so do the brakes. As for fuel economy, this BMW finds itself in the middle of the pack despite a high-performance engine.

The 300-hp engine is quite responsive considering the size of the 535xi.