BMW 530e TOURING

Our BMW's espresso trim and slick tech are proving to be a punchy brew

- Richard Ingram

THE more time I spend in 'my' BMW 530e Touring, the more I gel with it, and any issues I do have all feel a bit trivial. I really appreciate the new 5's interior. The panoramic iDrive infotainment system is crystal clear and full to the brim with the latest tech - plus it's becoming easier to navigate with every use. I've configured the digital instrument cluster just so, too, and its graphics are slick and easy to read.

Then there's the driving position, which is spot on, although I resent having to rake my seat back and forth manually in a car that costs the best part of £65,000. On a cold morning, the heated seats (and heated steering wheel) activate automatically, which keeps me and my passenger toasty.

But perhaps the thing I love most about the car's cabin, is the 'Espresso Brown Perforated and Quilted Veganza' leather alternative that extends not only to the seats but also the doors and parts of the dashboard. It's such a welcome change from the monotonous black you find in so many new models these days, and better still, it's a no-cost option.