Review of the new BMW X5 Range

Few cars demonstrate just how rapidly the car industry moves more clearly than the BMW X5. When it first appeared in 1999, it would be no exaggeration to say that it completely revolutionised the market for big 4x4s. Think of the sector pre-X5 and post X5 - it really was that much of a landmark vehicle. Before the BMW appeared, 4x4s were mainly big, slow and agricultural. The X5 popped up displaying road-going comfort levels and handling prowess that defined the luxury SUV genre. The second-generation X5 headed further up market, increasing in size and sophistication. Now customers are confronted by the facelifted version of that car and a series of improvements on the established X5 formula.

These days, the X5 sits at the head of a comprehensive range of 4x4 vehicles which opens with the X1, progresses to the X3 and takes an unusual diversion with the X6 - an imposing 4x4 coupe. The X5 remains the king pin though, going head to head with the leaders of the luxury 4x4 pack including the Range Rover, Audi's Q7 and the Porsche Cayenne. In its latest guise, the styling has been moderately enhanced and developments in the engine bay go some way towards subduing the luxury 4x4's environmentalist critics while also improving performance.

The pick of BMW's larger engines are fitted to the X5 and they turn in levels of performance and efficiency with the potential to make engineers at rival brands weep. The entry-level xDrive30d will be the big seller and it's currently packing 245bhp and 540Nm of torque. It can cover the 0-62mph sprint in 7.6s and reach 130mph (138mph if you opt for the more aerodynamic M Sport model). Many people won't see the need for a luxury SUV to be much faster than that but for those that do, there's the xDrive40d powered by a twin-turbo diesel. This X5 has 306bhp and 600Nm. As a result, it will storm from zero to 62mph in 6.6s and hit 147mph. Above that, it's the xDrive50i and its 408bhp twin-turbo V8 petrol engine. It has a 5.5s time for the 0-62mph increment and will hit BMW's 155mph speed limiter in M Sport trim. The formidable 555bhp X5 M continues at the top of the range.

".the big BMW should be a good fit with the majority of the UK's luxury SUV customers"

One thing that BMW is keen not to alter is the X5's reputation as being the best driver's car in its class. When the model first appeared, the German company invented a new classification for it, steering away from the lumbering Sports Utility Vehicles and dubbing the X5 a Sports Activity Vehicle, marketing doublespeak for the fact that this car was aimed at on-road performance rather than off-road ruggedness. BMW's intent is obvious when examining the finer engineering beneath the X5. Instead of a high-mounted engine that stays clear of water, much as you'd get in most serious 4x4s, BMW went the opposite way, mounting the engine and gearbox as low and as far back as possible for optimum balance and an aggressive centre of gravity to help spirited cornering.

The latest X5s have revised bumpers with larger vents cut into the one at the front and a matt aluminium scuff plate underneath. More noticeable are the LED corona rings in the headlight clusters but the alterations are nothing too dramatic. It's largely as you were inside as well. The X5 is about more than just road-going performance and imposing looks. It has a particularly roomy and practical cabin, the big decision facing buyers being whether to go for five or seven seats. In both guises, space for the front five occupants is very generous while the seven-seater adds two extra chairs in the boot that are fine for shorter adults. BMW says that between 10 and 15 percent of X5 customers take the seven-seat option. With only five seats in use, there's an enormous boot capable of holding 620 litres of cargo.

BMW uses high quality materials throughout the X5 cabin, managing to keep a minimalist look to the controls despite all the underlying complexity. The downside of the clean design is that the iDrive menu control system that marshals all the ancillary functions still takes time to master despite being much improved in its latest guise. There's a huge array of adjustment in the driving position and the seat is extremely comfortable. The small silver joystick of a gearlever looks unusual but works perfectly well in practice.

The X5 range is the usual BMW formula of SE and M Sport derivatives of the variously engined models. All versions bar the X5 M get BMW's eight-speed automatic gearbox. There's also leather upholstery as standard as well as xenon headlights and Servotronic adaptive steering.

The M Sport models sit close to the road thanks to the combination of their sports suspension and M Aerodynamic body styling package. Elsewhere, there are 19-inch V-spoke M alloy wheels, a matt aluminium trim for the side windows and Shadowline roof rails. The interior features the trademark M Sport anthracite head lining, an M leather-finished steering wheel and sports seats. It's predicted that most customers will also opt for the bigger 20-inch alloy rims.

Running costs are a big issue with the X5 and its luxury 4x4 ilk, perhaps not for the well-healed individuals who drive them but in terms of their perception in the eyes of the world at large. It's no good simply dumping the X5 into the gas guzzler category and pointedly looking down your nose at it, the argument is far more nuanced than that. Yes, the xDrive50i V8 will only return 22.6mpg and chugs out 292g/km emissions but the xDrive30d model can achieve 38.2mpg and 195g/km emissions, which is far better than some cars that the environmental lobby would deem perfectly acceptable. The xDrive40d is perhaps the most impressive unit with its 37.7mpg economy and 198g/km emissions achieved despite its fierce performance.

Predictably, the BMW X5 holds onto its value with some tenacity and the 3.0 diesel models in particular promise to be popular choices on the used market so there's little to worry about on that score.

There's a lot to admire in BMW's approach with its X5. Accepting that most luxury 4x4 customers don't need very much by way of off-road capability, the German marque concentrated on making the X5 as good as it could be on the road. The result is that the X5 remains the driver's choice in the luxury 4x4 market and is also one of the more practical choices around. Its engine range sets the benchmark for blending performance and efficiency to which rival luxury SUVs must aspire.

There will still be those who want more off-road prowess than the X5 can deliver and who can't get to grips with its iDrive control interface but the big BMW should be a good fit with the majority of the UK's luxury SUV customers.

TOP 5 X5 DEALS

The results below show the top X5 deals on buyacar

BMW X5 xDrive40d M Sport 5dr Auto [7 Seat] Diesel Estate
Price £46,137 Read X5 Reviews	Save £7,118
BMW X5 xDrive30d SE 5dr Auto [7 Seat] Diesel Estate
Price £40,450 Read X5 Reviews	Save £5,995
BMW X5 xDrive30d SE 5dr Auto Diesel Estate
Price £39,273 Read X5 Reviews	Save £5,762
BMW X5 xDrive40d M Sport 5dr Auto Diesel Estate
Price £44,959 Read X5 Reviews	Save £6,886
BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport 5dr Auto Diesel Estate
Price £42,968 Read X5 Reviews	Save £6,492
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