| COMFORT AND EQUIPMENT RATING: |
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For the most part, the ride is impressively pillowy, the lack of body roll imparting comfortable progress over twisty roads. However, sharp bumps and potholes seem to catch the suspension out. The jarring worsens if you opt for the sports suspension, which - given the active anti-roll system - appears to offer little benefit. Cars with Dynamic Drive fitted do keep flatter under cornering, but unless you're a road-rallier, the standard set-up is more than adequate in containing body roll. The optional Active Steering undoubtedly eases urban manoeuvres because you need to twirl the wheel less in tight spots, and it lends the car a feel of great agility and makes urban manoeuvres very easy. Noise levels are low, save for the odd bit of diesel clatter and the slightly stressed sounds of the 3.0 petrol at high revs, and the cabin features supportive, comfy seats for long-distance drives. Space front and rear is fairly generous, and if there isn't quite as much as in a Mercedes E-Class, there's usefully more rear legroom than found in the previous 5-Series. The boot is significantly larger too, its wider lid making it easier to load, though the opening between the rear lamps could be wider. Front seat passengers may find the dashboard a little intrusive where it bulks towards the centre, however, and oddments space is limited, the door bins and the centre console box being small. There are two small cubbies in the dash and the glovebox is generous, but the (inelegant) twin front cupholders, annoyingly, are optional. Both stereo and navigation are operated via the iDrive system, which requires familiarisation to master, although it's a better system than found in the 7-Series. The stereo delivers excellent sound quality while the navigation system issues clear instructions. However, you have to pay extra for visible mapping, the standard system providing no more than arrowed and aural guidance. The optional head-up display, which projects navigation instructions onto the windscreen, jet-fighter style, along with your speed and any warnings, is a useful but inessential feature.
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