2012 BMW 5 Series 528i

The 5 Series is BMW's mid-size luxury sedan, the one that blends executive comfort with a sporty character. It's the kind of car that makes you look for the long way home, with precise steering and a chassis that feels alive. The ride is firm but well controlled, so you feel the road without being beaten up on a long trip. Inside, the cabin is quiet and well put together, with comfortable seats and plenty of room for four adults. The 528i is the gateway to the 5 Series, giving you the same refined chassis and cabin as the pricier 535i, just with the base engine. Its 2.0L I4 makes 240 horsepower and pairs with a smooth eight-speed automatic, enough for easy highway merging while delivering 27 mpg combined. It's rear-drive only, which keeps weight off the nose and makes the steering feel a bit more eager through corners.