220i 2.0 M Sport Auto 5dr Medium MPV

Best family car I've owned

This is one practical and stylish family car. It can comfortably accommodate three car seats in the middle row for my three young daughters and has a boot big enough to carry everything we need to take on our journeys. The girls love sitting that little bit higher than in our previous car and get a better view from the large rear windows. Speaking of the rear doors, they are huge and quite square, and this is good! They open to nearly 90 degrees making it very easy to get car seats and children in and out. From the driver's perspective, our version has various extras including the upgraded LED headlights and entertainment/sat nav system which were well worth the money. Everything else is well screwed together and logically laid out.

A couple of minor annoyances. 1) With the seat in my driving position, the very top of the speedo isn't visible. I've tried adjusting the height, reach and rake but can't find a position which is comfortable and gives me full visibility. However, it isn't too annoying because I find I use the heads-up display, which displays speed, sat nav directions and various other pieces of information. 2) The auto open-close boot seems to be very eager to open or close. I have several scars on my hand from the occasions when the boot has been a bit too eager to open and I've had to strategically place my hand to avoid the door hitting a brick wall; and bumps on my head when it's decided that me trying to get something from the furthest point in the boot is a signal to close the door.

We opted for the petrol model because we don't do enough miles annually to justify having a diesel. The engine, coupled with the 8-speed auto, is smooth and refined. Steering is precise and there is surprisingly little body roll for such a tall car. Having owned 'proper' rear-wheel drive BMWs in the past, I not ashamed or upset that BMW have introduced a car that has allowed me to return to the brand.

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