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The BMW X5 will be written in the book of automotive history as the SUV that set the standard in the luxury SUV segment. Although built on a luxury sedan's platform, BMW manage to make the BMW X5 a proper SUV - thanks to the technology they manage to undertake when Land Rover was still part of the BMW group quite some time ago. That said, the X5 is not a "jacked-up" sedan - far from that. It's a properly built SUV from the group up.
Some will opine that buying an SUV is like signing up for club membership - it's not that necessary, but you can't help but get suckered into one just to have that sense of "exclusivity". But then again if you have the spare cash to splurge, and just can't decide what luxury sedan to get for yourself, something like this beefy BMW X5 should be considered. Forget luxury sedans - almost everyone has one.
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Interior & Exterior
What makes the E70 BMW X5 stands out from the rest of the luxury SUV crowd is its curvaceous exterior. For that $349k price tag, it has it perfect when comparing it to the rest of its competitors - it's curvy, square-ish and has the sort of outlook that won't look out of place be it in the green or concrete jungle. But with that price tag, we're pretty sure it'll be dwelling more in the concrete jungle.
The BMW X5 is much better looking now than its predecessor. The grille and now familiar headlamps has sheer presence, and makes BMW's luxury SUV look smart and cleverer. Mind you, viewed from the side, the BMW has a set of aggressive looking alloys ever seen in this segment. The huge 19-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone rubbers look the part in giving the BMW X5 a chunky exterior, but sadly, the effect is spoilt by rather scruffy looking brake callipers.
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Step inside and you'll find the X5's cabin in tune with Business Class air travel. Life inside the X5 is a rich and very rewarding experience - not only do you sit comfortably, everything looks and feels so much better. The quality of the plastics and main switchgears are undeniably superior to what you find in others (like the Volvo XC90), and little touches like the door handles give the X5 a polished and quality feel. There are also lots of storage spaces for knick-knacks. Even boot space (with the third row up) is large, and makes loading items a cinch.
Driving it
There are still people around who believe that man was never meant to fly - drive past Changi and you'll spot them pointing at the passing aeroplanes. Having said that - when you floor the accelerator, you can't help but share the same feeling of disbelief as the X5 lurch forward and pin you back to the driving seat, as you hold on dearly to the chunky steering wheel. Hmm...So God finally intended SUVs to travel this quickly now.
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For a start, the 4.8-litre V8 idles with loud thump-thump than the more civilised heartbeat of say, a Mercedes ML-Class. Flex the throttle and the X5 roars, sending shudder through the body.
Once off the leash, the X5 really does deliver the goods. It's fast - not just SUV fast, but genuinely fast...And proper too. It gets to 100km/h faster than a Porsche Boxster S for heaven's sake! But then, the X5 does have 355bhp and a massive 475Nm worth of torque to call upon. It's also pretty quick through the gears, making the X5 having no problems in any sort of driving conditions.
If you have doubts about the X5's handling capabilities, all you have to do is just try a corner, just one corner, and you'll get instant confirmation. Again, it may not have sedan-like capabilities, but the combination of the X5's chassis and steering does at least tell you what's happening right there and then. It just feels assured, cohesive and willing.
Once off the leash, the X5 really does deliver the goods. It's fast - not just SUV fast, but genuinely fast...And proper too. It gets to 100km/h faster than a Porsche Boxster S for heaven's sake! But then, the X5 does have 355bhp and a massive 475Nm worth of torque to call upon. It's also pretty quick through the gears, making the X5 having no problems in any sort of driving conditions.
If you have doubts about the X5's handling capabilities, all you have to do is just try a corner, just one corner, and you'll get instant confirmation. Again, it may not have sedan-like capabilities, but the combination of the X5's chassis and steering does at least tell you what's happening right there and then. It just feels assured, cohesive and willing.
Sum up
It's terrific and brilliant, and what we have here ladies and gentlemen, is the epitome of a "luxury SUV". It has all its bases covered - engine performance, exterior, interior, driving dynamics and practicality - and with that said, should scare its competitors. It makes all the right noises, right moves and ultimately, has the right image.
You can't help but just have to give BMW respect for churning out such a car. Err...SUV.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Engine: 4,799cc, V8
Power: 355hp @ 6,300rpm
Torque: 475Nm @ 3,400rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
0-100 km/h: 6.5 seconds
Length / Width / Height: 4,854 / 1,933 / 1,766 mm
Wheelbase: 2,933 mm
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