THIS is where some of the most prestigious cars in the SME company car market battle it out in the Business Car Manager SME Company Car of the Year Awards and this year’s winner is the evergreen BMW 5 Series.

Each of our judges placed the 5 Series in their top two, despite the fact it was up against some very capable cars like Audi A6 Avant, the Mercedes E-Class and the Jaguar XF Sportbrake.

We already loved the 5 Series but a facelift during 2013 ensured it was cleaner, more hi-tech and more luxurious than it has ever been.

SME directors are offered everything from in-car internet to a system that can steer, accelerate and brake for you at speeds of up to 25mph to take the sting out of those traffic jams. For busy company directors it makes life just that little bit more relaxing.

What’s impressive about our award winner – the 520d SE auto – is how quick it is but without costing the earth to run. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes just 7.9 seconds yet CO2 emissions remain as low as 119g/km. That means company car tax can cost as little as £1255 per year.

But there’s so much more to the 5 Series than its technology and its efficient engines – it also looks great and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face when you find a twisty road. The communicative steering and excellent chassis both ensure this is the most fun you can have in this class.

“The BMW 520d performs consistently in this really competitive sector, scoring strongly in all the areas that matter most,” said SME business car leasing authority Steve Cocks, national sales manager at Lex Autolease.

Any SME company director would be happy to have a BMW 5 Series, and with its low running costs it doesn’t even seem like an extravagance. 

The SME Company Car of the Year Awards 2014 are supported by MAGMA Automotive.

Click here to read our review of the BMW 520d M Sport.