Among midsize luxury sedans, the BMW 5 Series is the only car to offer a manual transmission -- a fact that reflects its sporty appeal. As its quietly grown into a living legend, the continuing success of the performance-oriented 5 Series has helped to invigorate the entire category in which it competes. The softer Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 are still sportier than ever, while the Infiniti M offers stiff competition at a bargain price. The BMW 5 Series lineup includes an offering for every taste, with sedan and wagon body styles, six-cylinder and V8 power and rear- or all-wheel drive.
