What’s not?

• As a curious, sybaritic coupe-meets-wagon, the BMW 5 Series GT is still a niche car that not everyone “gets”
• Also, the 5 Series GT’s sheer size not always ideally suited to UK roads
• Cabin is sumptuous and a stunning place to be but poor packaging means actual load carrying is compromised
• Sloping tail means over-the-shoulder, rear three quarter vision is also not the best
• Efficent Dynamics 2.0-litre engine could be smoother and quieter at idle and low speeds
• 139g/km CO2 emissions means 520d GT Turismo misses new 130g/km  leasing tax break that arrives in  2013

Business Car Manager road test verdict

Without question, this is the most sensible 5 Series GT to date.  With a sub £40K price point, 50 mpg-plus and CO2 emissions below 140 g/km, it’s a formula  guaranteed to give the model a new lease of life in the UK and appeal directly to business car buyers, particularly company directors of SME firms.

Crucially, the 520d GT doesn’t feel underpowered with the ‘small’ 2.0-litre Efficient Dynamics diesel on board and the car handles crisply, belying its size and weight.

For all that, and its classy interior, the 5 Series GT is still something of a curious fish on UK roads. Just make sure if you are thinking of one as your company car, you tick the box marked “520d”.   Both on paper and on the road, it adds up in a business car comparison.

BMW 520d M Sport Gran Turismo  – the low down