BMW 5 SERIES FROM $105,700

BMW’s seventh-generation 5 Series range opens with the $105,700 520i, with a 135kW/290Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol four, matched with an eight-speed automatic. The $126,300 530i, tested here, has a 185kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol four. Six cylinder power starts with the $129,400 530d, with a 195kW/620Nm 3.0-litre turbodiesel straight six. The 530e, a 2.0-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid that can travel up to 67km on electricity alone, is also $125,400. The 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre V8 M5 Competition, also with all-wheel drive, costs $269,600. Every model in the 5 Series line-up comes standard with the suite of radar-and camera-reliant aids BMW calls Driving Assistant Plus. These deliver a level of semi-autonomous driving much like the equivalent systems included under Mercedes’ Intelligent Drive umbrella. The BMW’s active cruise is fine, but its lane-keeping can annoy with its…