There may be no such thing as the perfect car, but the 2009 BMW 5 Series comes pretty darn close. The 5 Series is both handsome and handsomely built. Its handling can’t be beat and the engines are powerful, yet refined. Altogether, it’s hard to find a better car out there fore the money than the 5 Series.

The only major change in the 2009 models will be an update of the iDrive interface that’s coming midyear. The new design is much more user friendly, so if you’re thinking about buying this car, you may just want to wait until the newer version is released. The new menus and navigation system will make it well worth the wait.

Of all of the models in the 5 Series, the 535i stands out amongst the best. The twin turbocharged engine – an inline six cylinder model – is powerful, but still offers good fuel efficiency. The engine boasts good torque and is only four-tenths of a second slower than the 550i with its V8 engine. It’s also a lighter engine, which gives the 535i better balance and handling in corners.

But while the 535i is the best of the best, any 5 Series model would be a good choice if you’re looking for a midsize luxury car. However, they are a bit expensive, and if you want a little more bang for your buck, you could take a look at the Audi A6, the Infiniti Mi series, the Cadillac CTS, and the Hyundai Genesis. Or, if you want to spend the same amount, you could get a Mercedes Benz E Class or even a Jaguar XF. Each model comes with its own advantages and disadvantages – however, the continued success of this model shows that it can hold its own amongst these tough competitors.

Standard safety features on the 5 Series include anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, front seat side airbags, and both front and rear side curtain airbags. You also have the option of rear seat side airbags. As an added feature, the car utilizes sensors to see far ahead of you, and will warn you at night of potential hazards that are beyond the regular range of your headlights. Finally, all wheel drive models come with standard hill start assist and hill descent control.

In crash safety tests, the BMW 5 Series only received three stars for driver protection in a frontal crash. It did, however, get five stars out of five for protecting its front passengers and in both front and rear side protection.

And as far as your comfort is concerned, you’ll have one of the largest and most comfortable interior cabins in the class in the 5 Series. The front seats adjust in an almost infinite number of ways, and the leg and head room in the rear seat is fine. The trunk can hold up to 14 cubic feet of belongings, and the wagon can help you carry more than 58 cubic feet of belongings if you need additional towing capacity.

In addition, the quality of the materials used in interior construction is remarkable – even if the interior doesn’t look especially luxurious. The only real negative in the interior is the gear selector, which is unnecessarily complex and should have remained the simple, straightforward tool that it once was. However, do wait for the newer version of the iDrive interface if you’re thinking about picking up one of these cars.