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Car of the Year Awards 2021: Luxury Car of the Year
A luxury car obviously needs sumptuous materials, ride comfort worthy of a magic carpet, and a super-smooth engine. But models targeting company car drivers also needing to offer low CO2 emissions
WINNER: Luxury Car of the Year
BMW 5 Series 530e M Sport (M Sport Pro Package)
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The 5 Series was our overall Car of the Year back in 2017 and, helped by a recent refresh, remains the best luxury saloon you can buy.
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There may be faster and more opulent choices, but the 530e that we recommend can still crack 0-62mph in less than six seconds, while its beautifully finished interior makes you question the need to spend more.
As a plug-in hybrid with an official electric range of 37 miles, the 530e can complete many journeys without needing to wake its engine at all. And even when this smooth 2.0-litre petrol unit does fire up, the car is quiet enough to put some full-on limousines to shame.
The other advantage of the 530e being a plug-in hybrid is that it’s much cheaper than petrol and diesel alternatives if you’re running it as a company car. And yet it’s also more fun to drive than direct rivals such as the Audi A6 50 TFSIe and Mercedes E300e.
Specify it with adaptive suspension (part of the optional M Sport Pro Package) for the best ride and the 530 becomes the supreme luxury package, without the price tag to match.
We like
> Fast and fun, yet comfy and refined
> Low running costs
> Superb interior
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Read about more Car of the Year 2021 winners >>
Category winners
Small Car of the Year
Small Electric Car of the Year
Small SUV of the Year
Small Electric SUV of the Year
Family Car of the Year
Family SUV of the Year
Family Electric SUV of the Year
Premium SUV
Premium Electric SUV of the Year
Plug-in Hybrid of the Year
Executive Car of the Year
Luxury Car of the Year
Estate Car of the Year
MPV of the Year
7-seat SUV of the Year
Coupe Car of the Year
Convertible Car of the Year
Performance Car of the Year
Sports Car of the Year
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