BMW X5 Reviews

Over 25 years and four generations BMW's X5 has evolved from question mark to benchmark. Initially considered a shocking departure from the Bavarian maker's established performance sedan and sports car formula, today it stands as a segment-leader against which other premium five-seat SUVs are judged. Here Mark Oastler family tests the mid-range xDrive40i s to see if it's still up to the mark?

The BMW X5 large SUV has been untouchable in its segment. Even two-plus years on from the arrival of its fourth-generation model, it continues to kick goals, and for good reason, as its volume-selling xDrive30d variant proves.

The X5 M makes a lot of sense in 2020. Buyers are increasingly turning towards SUVs, but they also don't want to forgo high performance. Well, BMW M has gone ahead and done them one hell of a favour: the new Competition is family friendly and piping hot.

The BMW X5 xDrive40i is a petrol SUV with a slick focus on living large in the city with the occasional easy-does-it off-road trip thrown into its lifestyle mix. If money is no issue, then this cool blend of style, comfort and drivability might be just your idea of a perfect urban-and-country adventure tourer

The BMW X5 is a large SUV that can come as a seven- or five-seater, depending on your needs. I do love a car you can customise - but so you should be able to at this price.I was in the X5 xDrive25d which is the entry-level model and costs $99,900, before on road costs and extras. This particular car is a five seater and competes in a category with cars like the Audi Q7, Mercedes GLA, and Volkswagen Touareg. I took it down to the south coast of NSW for a long weekend with the family. Here’s how it performed. 

Luxury SUVs come in different shapes and sizes, but there's one segment of the market that stands out as the yardstick for this type of car - the large luxury SUV segment.In this part of the market you'll find cars such as the three we have here - the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE and the Volkswagen Touareg, among others. So which lives up to the brief of comfort, power and plushness? Let's find out!

Is the new-generation BMW X5 luxury SUV still the king of the segment? We attended the local launch of the fourth-gen iteration of the X5, and here's what we thought.

The fourth generation version of the BMW X5 will aim to retain its spot at the top of the large luxury SUV sales charts.

The BMW X5 was the first model to labour under the monicker "Sports Activity Vehicle" or SAV, and is now in its fourth generation. Bigger in every direction it's also loaded with a whole load of new features, new interior and, of course, new looks.The X5 xDrive40i is currently the only petrol model available until the arrival of a four-cylinder petrol, plug-in hybrid and, presumably, the 4.4-litre V8 X5 M.The 40i arrives with BMW's effortlessly smooth 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six which delivers 250kW and 450Nm. Available a little later than the diesels, it will set you back $115,990 (plus on-road costs) and the specification mirrors the slightly cheaper 30d.Standard inclusions consist of 20-inch alloys, panoramic glass sunroof, dynamic dampers, head-up display, active cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, auto parking, auto LED headlights, auto high beam, auto wipers, heated and auto dipping rear vision mirrors, configurable interior lighting, leather trim, electric split tailgate, "2.5-zone" climate control, electric front seats, keyless entry and start and run-flat tyres.Entertainment comes via BMW's iDrive system, with a huge 12.3-inch screen, DAB digital radio, 10 speakers and the usual Bluetooth and USB. Apple CarPlay is standard, but you can't get Android Auto. A third-row seating setup is optional, but expensive.You can choose from xLine, Indulgence and M Sport packages, shifting the focus to off-road shenanigans, luxury and on-road fun respectively.On the safety front you've got the usual stability and traction controls, seven airbags, ABS, steering, rear-cross traffic alert, lane keeping warning and lane keep assist, speed limit information and three top-tether and two ISOFIX points.

The BMW X5 was the first model to labour under the monicker "Sports Activity Vehicle" or SAV, and it is now in its fourth generation. Bigger in every direction it's also loaded with a whole load of new features, new interior and, of course, new looks.As before, the X5 is available in M Performance guise, again called the X5 M50d. The 3.0-litre diesel has four turbos strapped to it - that's two times two - for 294kW and 760Nm. For those playing along at home, that torque figure is the same as a Ferrari 488 GTB's. To help tame that grunt, you get an active rear differential, active steering and adaptive suspension.For your $149,900 (plus on-road costs) you get 22-inch alloys, panoramic glass sunroof, dynamic dampers, head-up display, active cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, auto parking, auto laser headlights, auto high-beam, auto wipers, heated and auto dipping rear vision mirrors, configurable interior lighting, leather trim, electric split tailgate, four-zone climate control, heated electric front seats, keyless entry and start, M aero package, and a space-saver spare.Entertainment comes via BMW's iDrive system, now up to version 7.0. With a huge 12.3-inch screen - the same as the digital dashboard's - DAB digital radio, 16 speakers and the usual Bluetooth and USB, the new system is slick and powerful. Apple CarPlay is standard (there is no Android Auto, however), but a third row of seats is optional.On the safety front you've got the usual stability and traction controls, seven airbags, ABS, steering, reverse cross traffic alert, various lane keeping warnings and steering assists and lane keep assist, speed limit information and three top-tether and two ISOFIX points.