BMW 5-Series safety is incredibly good and it scored the maximum five star rating in Euro NCAP testing. Along with a very rigid body structure it's fitted with driver, passenger, front and side airbags, Dynamic Stability Control Plus (DSC+) which includes stability control, traction control, cornering brake control, brake fade compensation and hill start assist.
The front head restraints have anti-whiplash protection plus there are two Isofix child seat mounting points in the rear so BMW 5 Series safety shouldn't be in question.
While visibility is pretty good in the 5 Series, the rear can be difficult to judge so it's reassuring that front and rear parking sensors come as standard - a rarity on executive saloons. There's also a rear parking camera that's available as an optional extra. In terms of load carrying ability, the boot has an overall capacity of 520 litres - slightly less than the main alternatives - but it's still useful thanks to a wide and large boot opening while an electric opening tailgate is available as an extra.
However, one downside is that split folding rear seats don't come as standard. BMW 5 Series practicality is still impressive however and there's plenty of storage on board with large door pockets, a considerable glovebox and twin cupholders that pop up from under a panel in front of the gear lever. The high central console (which is also an armrest) has a cubby concealed underneath but it's not very large.
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