BMW 5-Series GT (2009 - 2017) practicality

This version of the 5 Series hasn't been crash tested and although the 2003 5 Series saloon scored four stars out of five, the GT should easily achieve a maximum five star rating for adult occupant safety. BMW 5 Series GT safety is enhanced by standard-fit Dynamic Stability Control+ which covers a variety of safety features such as brake drying, traction control and cornering brake control.

There are also six airbags including front and rear curtain airbags.

The real party-piece of the GT is its ingenious split tailgate, although it's not the first car to use such a system, that accolade goes to the Skoda Superb launched in 2008. It's equally as successful in the BMW and gives you the option of either a conventional saloon-style boot, ideal for accessing the luggage area in tricky spaces such as multi-storey car parks.

Or alternatively you can open it like a hatchback, which provides a huge opening and is ideal for loading larger or more awkward items. The back seats can be slid forward by 10cm to increase boot space further and they also fold down (almost) flat to create a level load area of 1,700 litres - only a few litres smaller than the X5. Storage in the cabin is plentiful with two cupholders and a usefully large pop-out tray above the air conditioning controls.

However, the door pockets are a little on the narrow side for such a big car and the central storage box (which doubles as an armrest) isn't as deep or as practical as you'd expect.