THE BMW X5 has been named by leading industry analysts CAP as the luxury used car of the decade.

Experts praised the X5 for setting a new benchmark and taking the 4x4 from the field and putting it on the motorway, but most of all making it feel like it has always belonged there.

Mike Hind, CAP communications manager, said: 'For the used car buyer who does need a workhorse, with towing power and room for the whole family's holiday load, the 2000 - 2006 BMW X5 provides it. But it also offers the opportunity to leave the green wellingtons and the horse box at home and enjoy driving as a pleasure in itself.'

Since its inception in 2000 the X5 has been a popular choice with British car buyers, selling 65,353 cars. It was the first model to feature BMW's xDrive four-wheel-drive system.

Meanwhile, the new BMW X1 has been awarded the maximum 5-star safety rating in the latest Euro NCAP crash test results.

The X1's safety ratings - with scores of 87 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child protection, 71 per cent for safety assist equipment and 63 per cent for pedestrian protection - place it as one of the safest cars in its class. It obtained the highest pedestrian safety rating of the 12 cars recently tested.

All BMW X1s come as standard with a comprehensive safety package developed specifically for X models.

And the entire package impressed the Euro NCAP testers and led them to conclude that the X1 has an extremely stable passenger cell, offering excellent protection for adults and children alike.