Instrumented Test
Half a century of family-hauler evolution and three generations of BMW engineering devoted to the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle concept yield this expensive, heavy, thirsty seven-passenger truck striving to regain its past glory as the sales leader of the premium-priced mid-size-SUV pack. The $88,475 X5 50i tested here showcases gains in electronic convenience and safety features while all but ignoring BMW’s fundamental pursuit of fun-to-drive attributes.
That’s not to say the X5 is no fun. Brush the accelerator, and it surges forth with a remarkable show of enthusiasm, thanks to the responsive 445-hp V-8 under the hood. Those who dare peel back the unseemly plastic covers in the engine bay will find twin intercooled turbochargers nestled cozily between the cylinder banks. Direct fuel injection plus variable valve timing and intake-valve lift squeeze the maximum out of every drop of premium fuel. Hustling to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds at 109 mph is a worthy feat when there are 5306 pounds of vehicle to lug around. The top-gear sprints from 30-to-50 and 50-to-70 mph are also expeditious, in no small part due to the cooperative eight-speed automatic transmission.
Get a Grip
The fun goes downhill from there. New electric power-steering assist and the $1550 active-steering option conspire to filter every hint of road feel from the wheel. The effort doesn’t rise appreciably off-center, and the steering ratio is impressively quick, giving this hefty truck an agile feel, but the driver never enjoys a useful dialogue with the road or chassis.
Braking results were more encouraging. We recorded six stops from 70 mph in fewer than 178 feet, several at 172 feet, and virtually fade-free. Cornering grip was less impressive. The Goodyear Eagle LS2 run-flat rubber began letting go at 0.81 g, although understeer was commendably mild.
Inside Job
Tight weather sealing, quiet tread patterns, and the twin turbos hush this big boy’s cabin commotion at all times. A noise level of 69 decibels at 70 mph means there’s no need to raise voices at cruising speed. Whipped to deliver all it’s got, the engine issues a well-bred 75-dBA trill.
BMW deserves praise for a couple of upgrades to the X5’s cabin. Power window switches finally reside on the door panels instead of at dash center. One touch of a prominent master control button disables the growing list of electronic safety aids (blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, and collision warning with automatic braking). No fewer than seven buttons now surround the rotary iDrive controller to help sift through the X5’s encyclopedic menus. The handy head-up display includes a convenient speed-limit sign. A fuel-saving stop-start system is standard here, and thanks to upgrades to the software and starter, it finally works smoothly, seamlessly, and up to lofty BMW standards. Yes, you can shut it off if green is not your favorite color.
The new “surround view” 360-degree look at your immediate environs is a notable X5 improvement that’s a $750 option. Fun trick: Using this bird’s-eye view to give yourself the bird by hanging an extended middle digit under an outside mirror (when parked, of course).
Our test truck was outfitted with the optional third-row costing $1700. We suggest checking that box only after seriously deliberating its shortcomings. The second-row bench is an elaborate contraption that moves fore-and-aft, reclines, splits on a 40/20/40 ratio, and tumbles forward out of the way. Unfortunately, that imposes complexity and operating effort that most family members will resist. The overworked middle row is rendered uncomfortable for actual sitting and riding. Another concern is that, in spite of long rear doors, the bottom of their openings is too short for ready ingress and egress. Last, the fold-flat third-row seats are so small they’re suitable only for kids or Cirque du Soleil acrobats. If you really need three rows, shop elsewhere (Cadillac Escalade, for example) or wait for the coming BMW X7.
Another option worth avoiding is the Ivory White interior trim. Although the leather, the stitching, and the wood accents are gorgeous, this choice includes off-white carpeting on the floor and folding seat backs that grabs and holds soil with a fiendish vengeance. Unless you can delegate all your dirty jobs to hired help with their own beasts of burden, select a darker shade for the interior.
Smart Dampers
One area where BMW trumps its competitors is in intelligent tuning and control of suspension dampers. A console switch that adjusts accelerator response, power-steering effort, and transmission functions also tunes the dynamic damper system, a $1000 option on our tester. Set in Comfort mode, this X5 waltzed across Michigan’s tortured pavement as if it were layered in sweet cream. Even in the most aggressive Sport+ position, these dampers are smart enough to curtail unwanted body motion without inducing ride pain.
In summary, we’d give the new X5 a B- in driving enjoyment, a B+ for all-around utility, and an A for not growing appreciably in size versus its immediate predecessor. It will have its work cut out for winning the sales race in this ever-tougher segment.
