What We Like
Excellent driving refinement
Punchy 2.0-litre engine with ample torque
Interior is spacious, comfortable and high-tech
What We Dislike
Pricier than the equivalent base models from its German counterparts
The BMW X5 is what the brand calls its Sports Activity Vehicle, but to many people less the most pedantic among us, it's a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). The X5 is significant - you could make the case that it was the very first SUV that was genuinely enjoyable to drive. After all, the original X5 was BMW's first ever SUV, built with a unibody chassis and sharing mechanical underpinnings with the 5 Series.
With the proliferation of engaging, driver-oriented SUVs in today's market (including the Bentley Bentayga, the Jaguar F-PACE, the Porsche Cayenne, and very soon even a Lamborghini SUV), the X5 is in some ways the big daddy of them all.
What do we have here?
This is the BMW X5 xDrive25d M Sport, the new entry-level X5 model available in Singapore. This X5 is being offered with a downsized 2.0-litre diesel powerplant, replacing the xDrive30d as the base model available locally.
Eh? Hasn't this model been around for awhile already?
Yes, the third generation F15 X5 was launched back in 2013. Presently, the X5 range offered locally has been trimmed to just two models, the xDrive35i model, and this one. Available solely in M Sport trim, this gets you M Sport rims as well as M Sport front and rear bumpers, which give the X5 a more aggressive disposition.
With the proliferation of engaging, driver-oriented SUVs in today's market (including the Bentley Bentayga, the Jaguar F-PACE, the Porsche Cayenne, and very soon even a Lamborghini SUV), the X5 is in some ways the big daddy of them all.
What do we have here?
This is the BMW X5 xDrive25d M Sport, the new entry-level X5 model available in Singapore. This X5 is being offered with a downsized 2.0-litre diesel powerplant, replacing the xDrive30d as the base model available locally.
Eh? Hasn't this model been around for awhile already?
Yes, the third generation F15 X5 was launched back in 2013. Presently, the X5 range offered locally has been trimmed to just two models, the xDrive35i model, and this one. Available solely in M Sport trim, this gets you M Sport rims as well as M Sport front and rear bumpers, which give the X5 a more aggressive disposition.
High on functionality, quality and luxury
This may be the 'base model' X5, but the interior feels anything but basic. It's generously well-equipped, with a wealth of technology including a new freestanding 10.25-inch Control Display, linked to the standard-fitted iDrive operating system.
Being an SUV, comfort and space are clearly important, and the X5 does not disappoint. The interior is lined in plush leather, and you have a wealth of storage options including huge cubby holes on either front door panel. The 650-litre boot can be expanded to 1,870 litres with the second row folded down. Additionally, the split two-section tailgate means that loading stuff into the boot is easy.
This may be the 'base model' X5, but the interior feels anything but basic. It's generously well-equipped, with a wealth of technology including a new freestanding 10.25-inch Control Display, linked to the standard-fitted iDrive operating system.
Being an SUV, comfort and space are clearly important, and the X5 does not disappoint. The interior is lined in plush leather, and you have a wealth of storage options including huge cubby holes on either front door panel. The 650-litre boot can be expanded to 1,870 litres with the second row folded down. Additionally, the split two-section tailgate means that loading stuff into the boot is easy.
A diesel engine, huh. Why would I want one?
The simple reason is because this diesel engine is mighty good. In a place like Singapore where top speed is irrelevant, the torquey engine is effective and efficient. With 500Nm of torque on tap, the punchy 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine affords effortless acceleration, with overtaking manoeuvres made surprisingly easy given the car's obvious size and weight.
The X5 is, of course, a big and bulky car. On the go, with an open road ahead of you, there is ample oomph available to your right foot. It is only once you get caught in traffic and have cars either side of you that the car's girth starts to become more prominent. That, and carparks, of course.
The overall driving refinement is extremely commendable. As with many of the latest diesel offerings, shut your eyes and you would be challenged to tell it apart from a petrol car. The driving position is high and mighty, offering good visibility all around. And the ride comfort is also highly agreeable. If we had to nitpick, we think it still has that typical BMW trait of being slightly too soft in comfort mode and slightly too hard in sport mode, but this doesn't detract from the car's overall ride quality.
Throw the car into a few corners and the Sport-tuned suspension settings (as part of the M Sport package) do a great job of controlling body roll. And the xDrive all-wheel drive system means that grip is always aplenty. As the big daddy of driver-centric SUVs, it's clear that the X5 has it well figured out.
The simple reason is because this diesel engine is mighty good. In a place like Singapore where top speed is irrelevant, the torquey engine is effective and efficient. With 500Nm of torque on tap, the punchy 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine affords effortless acceleration, with overtaking manoeuvres made surprisingly easy given the car's obvious size and weight.
The X5 is, of course, a big and bulky car. On the go, with an open road ahead of you, there is ample oomph available to your right foot. It is only once you get caught in traffic and have cars either side of you that the car's girth starts to become more prominent. That, and carparks, of course.
The overall driving refinement is extremely commendable. As with many of the latest diesel offerings, shut your eyes and you would be challenged to tell it apart from a petrol car. The driving position is high and mighty, offering good visibility all around. And the ride comfort is also highly agreeable. If we had to nitpick, we think it still has that typical BMW trait of being slightly too soft in comfort mode and slightly too hard in sport mode, but this doesn't detract from the car's overall ride quality.
Throw the car into a few corners and the Sport-tuned suspension settings (as part of the M Sport package) do a great job of controlling body roll. And the xDrive all-wheel drive system means that grip is always aplenty. As the big daddy of driver-centric SUVs, it's clear that the X5 has it well figured out.
Isn't the government clamping down on diesels once more?
Unfortunately, that appears to be the case. When we tested the car (some time before the latest diesel tax developments), we felt that this xDrive25d model exhibited a level of refinement and relative affordability that really begged the question. Why would you bother with the more expensive and thirstier 3.0-litre petrol model?
But to be honest, even with the recent changes announced, the X5 xDrive25d still represents an enticing option for buyers - it's engaging and fun to drive, and still cheaper to run on a day-to-day basis. We managed about 12km/L, significantly better than the 6.5km/L we got in the 35i.
This model seems like the better fit for Singapore. As the new entry-level X5, it definitely gets the job done. It's an imposing, well-equipped, refined and comfortable SUV packing an engine that makes ample sense for Singapore roads.
The only real nick is its price - whilst $35,000 cheaper than the 35i, the $320,800 (as of 27th February 2017) price tag is still significant one. But for an SUV as accomplished as the X5, we reckon it's a price worth paying.
Unfortunately, that appears to be the case. When we tested the car (some time before the latest diesel tax developments), we felt that this xDrive25d model exhibited a level of refinement and relative affordability that really begged the question. Why would you bother with the more expensive and thirstier 3.0-litre petrol model?
But to be honest, even with the recent changes announced, the X5 xDrive25d still represents an enticing option for buyers - it's engaging and fun to drive, and still cheaper to run on a day-to-day basis. We managed about 12km/L, significantly better than the 6.5km/L we got in the 35i.
This model seems like the better fit for Singapore. As the new entry-level X5, it definitely gets the job done. It's an imposing, well-equipped, refined and comfortable SUV packing an engine that makes ample sense for Singapore roads.
The only real nick is its price - whilst $35,000 cheaper than the 35i, the $320,800 (as of 27th February 2017) price tag is still significant one. But for an SUV as accomplished as the X5, we reckon it's a price worth paying.
