What's New for the 2006 BMW 5-Series? BMW adds a station wagon variant to the 5-Series lineup, as well as new inline six-cylinder engines and an xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Based on the same fully-automatic, rear-biased xDrive in the X3 and X5 sport-utes, the AWD system is offered only on 525i and 530i models. Both of those models get new engines for 2006. The 2.5-liter inline six makes 218 horsepower, while the 3.0-liter engine cranks out 258 horsepower. Station wagon models are equipped only with the larger six, and only with xDrive. The 530xiT can schlep up to 56.5 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats folded down.
Advantages of the 2006 BMW 5-Series:
Strong and smooth engines
Superb comfort
Lush cabin materials
Impressive performance
Fascinating Active Steering system
Slick optional xDrive AWD
Objections to the 2006 BMW 5-Series:
Fussy iDrive control system
Prices rise dramatically when desirable options are added
Editor's Advice: If its Bangled styling pleases you, so will the rest of the 2006 BMW 5-Series. This is a fantastic luxury sports sedan, and remains the benchmark against which others must be measured, especially now with all-new six-cylinder engines and an available all-wheel-drive system. If you don't mind the penalty of diminished ride quality, opt for the Sport package, which includes Active Steering and Active Roll Stabilization. Once you live with these two technologies, you'll wonder if you could ever buy another car without them.
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