To repeat, the 525i Touring is a sports sedan with a huge trunk, and it rides and drives like the vehicle it is at heart. If you don't ever look in the rear-view mirror, you simply won't know you're piloting a wagon and not a car. The additional cargo area adds a not-insubstantial 199 lb. to the 3560-lb. curb weight of the sedan. But at no time, even in hard cornering - not a typical wagon situation - does that extra weight make the Touring feel top- or tail-heavy. The ride is more stiff and controlled than the typical American station wagon, which may surprise first-timers. But after a few miles, even the most zealous soft-ride exponent will begin to appreciate the feeling of security and control the Touring's more taut suspension affords. The 6-cylinder engine - the result of years of refinement by BMW - is smooth and quiet. It doesn't, however, give the Touring much zip in the acceleration department. Full-throttle starts are at first leisurely, then a bit more brisk as engine speed builds. But let's be honest here: Station wagon drivers are not typically in the rip-and-tear driving mode. The Touring has plenty of acceleration to blend effortlessly with traffic, pass with confidence and handle everyday driving responsibilities.
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