2006 BMW 525xi

The 2006 BMW 525xi four-door sedan was equipped with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which improved the vehicle's agility and stability. Power for the 525xi was provided by an all-new 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produced 215 horsepower, an increase of 31 horsepower over the previous year's engine. The additional power was courtesy of such upgrades as variable valve timing and electronically contolled engine cooling.

A six-speed manual overdrive transmission was standard, while a six-speed automatic was available as an option.

Standard features for the 2006 525i included a power glass sunroof, multi-zone climate control, power windows with remote window operation, a power-adjustable driver's seat, power-adjustable headrests, wood interior trim, power exterior mirrors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with controls for the audio and cruise control systems, an anti-theft alarm system, and an AM/FM stereo system with an in-dash CD player.

Four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and 17-inch alloy wheels are also part of the package.

As has been the case with prior models, test drivers didn't particularly like the layout of the controls or the 525i's fuel economy, but those two setbacks were overshadowed by checks in the "pros" column: steering, handling, ride, build quality, and interior materials.