The BMW X5 is a real big SUV that doesn’t demand you to sacrifice handling and performance for both comfort and practicality.
The BMW X5 might be larger and more pleasant than ever before, with the choice of seven seats, but it’s still good thrill to drive. Of all Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), the grand X5 is one of the most notable of the ‘sport’ part of its name, with the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport.
The X5 also goes up against opponents as adept as the Volvo XC90, Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7 and Mercedes GLE. Adjusting a third row of seats reduces boot space mainly when seven passengers are on board, but there is still 650 liters just behind the second row or 1,870 liters with all the back seats folded down, which is very generous.
It’s really worth noting, however, that the hybrid version lowers rear luggage room to between 500 and 1,720 litres only because of the space taken up by the rear electric motor and battery pack.
Apart from the hybrid version, which is fitted with a strong 2.0-litre petrol and electric motor, there’s also available a range of conventional diesel and petrol X5s on offer. Company-car drivers are probably to be interested in the frugal 2.0-litre diesel, which is the only two-wheel-drive X5 obtainable.
Three quick and smooth 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesels provide a good blend of performance and economy, while a muscular 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 is offered in the xDrive50i and swift X5M in an even higher state of tune.
The entrance-level 2.0-litre sends 228bhp to the back wheels and can return up to 53.3mpg economy of fuel, while its CO2 emissions of between 139 and 141g/km cost £130 to £145 in an annual road tax.
Company-car drivers are possibly to be won over by its 25% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rating, which is aggressive for a large SUV. With good power outputs of 254, 308 and 376bhp, the 3.0-litre diesel X5 can easily sprint from 0-62mph in as little as 5.3 seconds, while all the three return over 40mpg and have a road-tax bill of £180 to £210, along with Bik rates between 31 and 32%.
Even economical to run than the 2.0-litre diesel should be the compound xDrive40e, with emissions of CO2 of 77-78g/km and economy of fuel of up to 85.6mpg, with just 14% BiK liability. If low running costs are less of a preference, the other petrol is a performance V8, along with 444bhp and a 0-62mph time of a scant 4.9 seconds. The running costs are punishing, although, with 29mpg and CO2 emissions of between 224 to 226g/km resulting in the road tax of £295 or £500 a year and the highest achievable BiK rating of 37%.
Trim levels are justly straightforward, with only SE and M Sport available, with DAB radio, front and back parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, alloy wheels, leather upholstery and heated front seats. There are enough of convenience features, too, including BMW’s iDrive infotainment system and automatic wipers and headlights.
Our choice of the range is the xDrive 30d in SE spec, with an amazing balance between fuel economy, performance, standard equipment, and of course, price. Moving for the M Sport trim gives you larger wheels and stiffer suspension, but this amalgamations hurts ride quality.
The recent X5 hasn’t yet been independently crash-tested by Euro NCAP, but we would fully expect it to do tremendously well, as it has lots of standard safety equipment.
Along with the ideal rudimentary airbags, electronic stability and anti-lock brakes the X5 also features a quick tyre-pressure sensor and cruise control with an effective optional Active Security package adding lane-departure warning and rapid autonomous emergency braking. Reliability could be somewhat worrying. But overall, it’s an efficient car with powerful engine.
BMW X5 is a decent looking car with extremely powerful engine. You must give it a try before purchasing any car.
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