79: BMW X5 – great to drive but in need of a major revamp

The big BMW SAV is a hugely impressive car in many ways, but it does seem to be feeling its years a touch (even though the current model is only five years old).

It’s still extremely good to drive, certainly by big SUV standards, but it lacks rather for cabin space (the rear seats and the optional third row are really quite cramped compared to what you get in the Audi Q7 or Range Rover Sport). The engines are at least excellent, with the 30d 3.0-litre straight-six diesel still being among the best of any engines you can buy.

The plugin X4 40e, though, is a bit of a let-down - very thirsty unless you’re running it purely on electric power, and with odd steering and handling that don’t inspire confidence on twisting roads. It does look good, the X5, so you’ve got to give it that, but there’s a phalanx of talented rivals out there and they’re starting to leave the X5 behind.

Best model: X5 30d xDrive M-Sport