Arguably, the BMW X5 has been the leading choice in the premium SUV market for many years. But does it still cross the boxes buyers want in a luxury 4WD vehicle?
As a previous X5 owner, I’ve loved all the generations of BMW’s beloved SUV. Powerful, roomy, stylish, yet muscular – the X5 possesses everything you would want in an SUV.
But as SUVs become more popular, and many brands take the ‘cookie-cutter’ EV route, the decision as to which one to buy has often become rather superficial: the looks. The preference for the rugged and boxy look has also evolved into something more sleek and curvy. Think Mercedes GLE, Maserati Levante or the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and you’ll know what I mean.
The Handsome SUV
Yet, among the Asian makes, Toyota and Hyundai have been harking back to the old-school chunkier designs with their RAV4, Landcruiser, and even the latest Santa Fe.
It’s safe to say that buyers’ preference leans to both extremes. Yet the X5 has always managed to tread the line between sleek and rugged.
With some new exterior updates, this facelift X5 continues that tradition of the modern SUV. New bumpers at the front and rear in this xDrive40i M Sport version add to the car’s beefiness, as do a set of updated, less fussy headlamps and taillights.
From the rear, it is easy to spot the latest X5, as the previous LED outline in each taillamp has now been replaced with a sideways hammer signature. Seen in unison, they make up an elongated ‘X’.
The Luxury SUV
The changes continue inside, where a gleaming new BMW Curved Display sits atop the dashboard, with a curved screen that houses BMW’s latest iDrive 8 infotainment system. It measures a wide 12.3-inch for the information display and 14.9-inch for the control display.
Even the physical climate controls have been removed in favour of touchscreen-based buttons.
Overall, space and legroom are still outstanding, as they always have been since the E70 series. However, BMW no longer offers the X5 as a 7-seater.
Honestly, I’ve rarely used the seats in the third row when I had mine. Partly because they weren’t very comfortable but also because the humongous boot capacity offered when the seats were folded flat down was too awesome for me to pass up on using.
The brown leather seats in this G05 series X5 look and feel superb, too. Juxtaposed against the deep blue exterior paint, the car reeks of sporty luxury.
The one thing X5s were always pretty good at was their driving dynamics, and the new one is no different. Powered by a turbocharged (I wonder how many more times I will get to use this beautiful word in the future when force induction is no more) 3.0-litre engine with mild hybrid assistance, the SUV packs a healthy 375bhp and 550Nm of torque.
As with modern, turbocharged cars, even a large-sized SUV like the X5 never feels ‘heavy’ or lethargic. On the contrary, it is relatively quick and responds with liveliness with every prod of the accelerator. Leaving the car in ‘Sport’ mode is best; the steering stiffens, and the throttle response also sharpens up.
The Sporty SUV
Turning in hard into a series of sweeping bends will require the driver to adapt quickly to the car’s sheer size, but the X5 helps you with that; a comfortable but sports-tuned suspension set-up and a large wheel and tyre combination aid in settling the car in when you need to go fast.
Once again, the X5 rides impressively well, but if you prefer an even more comfortable ride, you may lose the run-flats when it’s time to change those tyres.
I may be biased. But as a fan of the brand, the BMW X5 still comes across as the best choice for a premium SUV. I’d choose an Audi Avant any day if it was a wagon body style I was shopping for. Premium sedan? It’ll probably be a Mercedes C-Class.
Sure, the X5 may be due for a newer, more updated iteration to keep up with its fast-moving competitors, but sometimes it’s good to slow down and enjoy the peak of what years of progress have brought us, and you can find that in the newly updated X5.
Technical Specifications
BMW X5 xDrive40i M Sport
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged
Power: 280 kW (375 bhp)
Torque: 550 Nm
Gearbox: 8-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 5.5 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 250 km/h
Price: S$538,000 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: BMW
Photo Credits: Joel Tam
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