BMW X5 Estate (2007 - 2013) practicality

The X5 comes with front and side airbags for the driver and passenger, as well as curtain airbags for the first and second rows. For extra BMW X5 safety there's electronic stability control that helps to correct the car's line during a skid. Hi-tech braking aids that prime the car in anticipation of an emergency stop are also featured on the X5. Hill descent control and hill-start assistant help when driving off road while parking sensors, plus Isofix child seat mounting points and run-flat tyres are also standard.

Roomier than the original model, the second-generation X5 also offers up to seven seats for the first time. The extra row will set you back more than £1300, but they do fold flat into the load area - however the seats are small, hard and cramped and with little legroom it's virtually impossible for adults to squeeze into them. Thankfully the middle row has enough space for three and folding tilting and sliding them forward is simple.

A luggage capacity of 620 litres sounds good but it's less than rivals like the Audi Q7 and Range Rover Sport - fold all the seats down and that increases to 1,750 litres but this is still smaller than many rivals. However storage up front is good and the X5 can be fitted with a rear-view camera for reversing, which can also help with attaching a towbar to a trailer thanks to a specific 'docking line' guide that appears on screen.