Your budget is unlimited and you’re used to having a fleet of expensive vehicles in your driveway, so what new product launched this year could you possibly add?
The choices were vast when it came to our new category, “Only for the Rich” – criteria for which were premium cars and luxury SUVs launched this year in New Zealand.
There was plenty to choose from, with Aston Martin DB11 sitting alongside Range Rover’s Velar and BMW’s 5 Series in our list of finalists for this exclusive segment.
But one vehicle that stood out — BMW’s seventh generation 5 Series. Not only is it full of technology — such as semi-autonomous driving, gesture control and remote parking — it is also a superb vehicle to sit behind the steering wheelfor a long drive.
Driven first tested the 5 Series at the global launch in 2016 but, at the local reveal this year, our judges experienced what makes this business sedan so special.
Visually the all-new 5 Series has had a major overhaul inside and out but it’s the front end that is the most striking. The front LED headlights merge into the kidney grille giving it a dynamic appeal. Above the LED headlights is a brushed chrome effect while the lights are now hexagonal rather than round.
Inside, the car’s simple layout makes it easy to engage functions including semi-autonomous driving, while the improved gesture control made us think, “how have I coped so long without it?”
The self-parking function found on the option large keyless remote was a delight to use — and highly practical when it came to tight car park spaces.
On our long test drives, the judges found the all-new 5 Series bliss to drive, making long trips a breeze.
Read our full BMW 5 Series road test.
-Liz Dobson
This year Driven decided to reflect our readers' interests in our Car of the Year categories more. For the first time we have:
- Little Beauties (covering light/compact cars, and small SUVS) - winner: Suzuki Ignis
- Family Chariots (medium/large cars, medium/large SUVs)
- Only For the Rich (premium cars, luxury SUVs)
- Lotto Winner's Choice (performance vehicles) - winner: Honda Civic Type R
- Tradies' Delight (utes/vans) – winner: Renault Master range
- Green Power (hybrids and EVs) - winner: Hyundai Ionq
- Motorbike of the Year – winner: BMW G 310 R
