2008 BMW 5-Series

Unsurprisingly, the BMW, armed with active anti-roll bars and Continental summer tires, is blessed with a sporty ride and engaging dynamics.

In addition to its intolerable ride over patchy pavement, the 550i disappoints with fatigue-inducing front seats, a still frustrating and unintuitive iDrive, a dark and cold cockpit, and a monster engine that somehow doesn't feel that monsterlike out on the road. Throw in a price tag that approaches 70 large, and despite its strong points, the BMW suddenly becomes a vehicle that gives us pause.

There's no doubt the 550i looks like a champ, what with its aggressive front and rear fascias and 19-inch split-spoke wheels, all of which impart a particular M5 wickedness. Speaking of its steroidal sibling, the 550i isn't that much slower than the M, blitzing to 60 in 4.8 seconds and the quarter in 13.3 at 105.1 mph.

Over many areas of non-smooth surface, the car just goes into a blur.

In addition to its intolerable ride over patchy pavement, the 550i disappoints with fatigue-inducing front seats, a still frustrating and unintuitive iDrive, a dark and cold cockpit, and a monster engine that somehow doesn't feel that monsterlike out on the road.

Look really closely (maybe you should try squinting) and you'll be able to see that the BMW 5-series has been refreshed for 2008. The differences may be small, but exterior changes take a little Bangle out of the 5, and new clear lens head- and taillamps bring design consistency with the 3-series and the new X5. Inside, the 5-series also borrows the X5's new shift lever simple and beautiful, while some of us find the shifter simple and beautiful, some think it's an unnecessary change.

Regardless of engine size or equipment level, the 5 Series line delivers lively acceleration, precise handling and outstanding brakes. It's available with a conventional manual transmission, which is increasingly hard to find in this class.

The 5 Series remains a truly sporting sedan that stands out in the fiercely competitive market for mid-sized luxury cars.

The big news for the 2008 BMW 5 Series sedans lies under the hood of the six-cylinder models. For 2008, the base 528i gets a horsepower increase that makes it the most powerful entry-level 5 Series ever. With a new twin-turbo engine, 535i and 535xi Sedans and Sports Wagon are the quickest six-cylinder-powered 5 Series cars yet. The six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission has been improved as well, and buyers can choose manual or automatic for the same price in all models.