2012 BMW Gran Turismo 550i xDrive
- 2012 Price: $68,300
- True cost to own: $86,948
- Fuel economy MPG: 15 city, 22 highway
Available with either a turbocharged, 3-liter, inline, six-cylinder engine or a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8, the 2012 BMW 5-Series Grand Turismo 535i and 550i model designations are based on the engine. Both offer an all-wheel-drive option, or xDrive, in place of the standard rear-wheel drive.
It is the eight-cylinder Gran Turismo 550i xDrive that made this list. A driver-shiftable, eight-speed, automatic transmission hustles engine production to the wheels.
Inside the stylish hatchback wrapper is a cabin chock-full of high-end amenities such as leather seating, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, six air bags, Bluetooth connectivity, iDrive electronics interface, navigation system, BMW Assist telecommunications service and a 12-speaker audio system.
The Gran Turismo is a compelling financial argument for buying BMW performance.