IF a car is priced at just shy of £60,000 it has a lot to live up to - and thankfully for BMW the X5 delivers on all counts.

With eye-catching good looks and a sturdy, ready-for-action design complete with 20-inch alloys, rugged shoulders and tinted windows the X5 M Sport is a 4x4 model that offers a perfect combination of performance, power, comfort and all-round quality.

The vehicle was supplied in a very deep blue colour which in a way added to its appeal - somehow a pastel shade wouldn't really suit this model.

But the interior was much brighter and the oyster-coloured leather seats contrasted beautifully with the black ceiling and dashboard, along with the occasional flash of aluminium.

Creature comforts are plentiful and include leather seats - heated of course, cruise control, a four-zone air con system, heads-up display and a media package that includes DAB radio, sat nav, Bluetooth connectivity, BMW Assist, a USB interface, and a whole lot more besides.

Comfort levels are exceptionally high and there is ample leg, head and elbow space for three rear passengers to travel in extreme comfort.

There will be no limits on luggage either as the generously-sized boot can easily accommodate large suitcases and can be extended further if needed thanks to split-folding rear seats.

In addition, there are a number of smaller storage options scattered throughout the cabin.

So it would appear the X5 M Sport has it all with jaw-dropping good looks and a spec level to match, but what about performance?

Well, it would look pretty stupid if such a great vehicle couldn't show off its power and handling and the X5 likes nothing better.

In and around busy city centre traffic, it proved nimble and relatively easy to park - thanks mainly to parking sensors and side and rear cameras.

But, in all honesty, the X5 comes alive on the faster, more demanding roads.

Acceleration through the eight-speed automatic transmission was both smooth and responsive, and the 3.0-litre diesel-powered engine delivered all the power you could wish for.

The ride was generally very quiet and smooth, albeit a little rocky at times, but that could be due to the poor state of many road surfaces these days.

And when you take into account how accomplished this vehicle is off-road too then you really are prepared for the harshest of winters.

Safety features are plentiful with anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability programme, numerous airbags and plenty more.

My only real criticism was the poor visibility through the rear screen which is certainly made worse by the row of three rear headrests.