Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2001

Midsize Luxury Sedan Over $30,000

Winner: BMW 530i

Can the company that creates ultimate driving machines offer supreme luxury and a compliant ride while simultaneously creating a vehicle that goes, stops and turns with the best sporting sedans on the market? The answer is yes. For 2001, BMW bumps the displacement of last year's inline six, creating the new, 225-horsepower 530i. In addition to this substantial jump in power, the vast majority of the 214 ft-lbs. of torque is available between 1,500 and 6,000 rpm, making this new midrange 5 Series model feel downright speedy. But the real attraction to the 530i is that it serves perfectly as a luxury car, with leather, wood, a compliant ride and all the goodies that define such a specimen. Safety is covered too, with standard side airbags and a head protection system that saves occupants front and rear from serious harm. Finally, there is the question of style. Nobody can deny that the serious-looking BMW imparts a sense of class and sophistication, despite the fact that it seems like every nouveau riche dot-com entrepreneur owns one. Luxury, style and performance mixed with room enough for a foursome and their clubs? That's the recipe for the BMW 530i, and it's a winner.