Branded as a Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) rather than an SUV to emphasise its on-road ability despite its size, the BMW X5 made its debut in 1999.
Starting with the X5, which shares its underpinnings with the 5 Series, BMW's SAV series has since expanded to be derivatives of the Bavarian marque's number series models, such as the smaller X1 and X3, which are based on the 1 Series and 3 Series respectively.
Exterior
With a quick glimpse, it's easy to jump to conclusion that the third generation X5 looks a lot like the old one. But there are a few new details that help this X5 stand out from previous models.
The new headlights, which are now blended to the exterior contours of the twin-kidney shaped grille for a more contemporary look, match BMW's latest design DNA.
Fog lights have also moved up and are more centred, while the 'X' shaped front bumper lines now incorporate 'Air Curtains' that work together with 'Air Breathers' behind the front fenders to briefly allow air in and out to improve aerodynamics.
Standing at 4,886mm x 1,938mm x 1,762mm (L x W x H), the car has actually grown 29mm longer and 5mm wider, but is 14mm lower than its predecessor.
Round the back, you'll spot a set of widened redesigned taillights, and bumper-integrated exhaust pipes at both ends that complete the athletic image.
Interior
The interior of the new X5 is a huge improvement with its clean and fuss-free presentation. Horizontal lines and layered surfaces give a sense of width and depth, emphasising the available space of an SUV.
It looks and feels much more premium inside the new X5 than the outgoing model, thanks to an extensive personalisation package such as the Design Pure Excellence, which has been specified for the car you see here.
This said option swaps the standard leather upholstery in favour of Ivory White Nappa leather with contrast stitching, and pairs it with leather on the dash and door trims, along with American Oak fine wood trim.
The interior of the new X5 is a huge improvement with its clean and fuss-free presentation. Horizontal lines and layered surfaces give a sense of width and depth, emphasising the available space of an SUV.
It looks and feels much more premium inside the new X5 than the outgoing model, thanks to an extensive personalisation package such as the Design Pure Excellence, which has been specified for the car you see here.
This said option swaps the standard leather upholstery in favour of Ivory White Nappa leather with contrast stitching, and pairs it with leather on the dash and door trims, along with American Oak fine wood trim.
Besides being capacious and providing good support, the plush seats, coupled with the leather-wrapped steering wheel and soundly placed controls, offer a superb driving position to give the driver a clear vantage point.
Like the test car here, the X5 can be specified with seven seats, though the third row is probably used more often as cargo space. Leave it in five-seater mode and there is 575 litres of boot capacity. If that is still not enough, fold all rear seats down and that space is expanded to a generous 1,870 litres.
The Drive
The top-of-the-range xDrive50i we have with us is motivated by an improved version of BMW's 4.4-litre direct-injection twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 450 horses and 650Nm of torque.
That's an improvement of 43bhp and 50Nm over its predecessor, which helps the new X5 scoot to 100km/h in a stunning five seconds flat.
A willing accomplice in the engine's impressive performance is the sublime eight-speed automatic gearbox, which has always been a highlight of BMWs. It swaps ratios so intelligently, you always have the right gear for the task at hand.
The new X5 also takes refinement to a new level. In fact, noise and vibration were excellently suppressed in the car. Travelling at higher speeds only saw some mild wind rustle from the wing mirrors and conversations inside were never strained.
Round the bends, the 2.2 tonne leviathan feels so planted and resists body roll superbly, it's easy to forget you're in a big SUV.
The top-of-the-range xDrive50i we have with us is motivated by an improved version of BMW's 4.4-litre direct-injection twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 450 horses and 650Nm of torque.
That's an improvement of 43bhp and 50Nm over its predecessor, which helps the new X5 scoot to 100km/h in a stunning five seconds flat.
A willing accomplice in the engine's impressive performance is the sublime eight-speed automatic gearbox, which has always been a highlight of BMWs. It swaps ratios so intelligently, you always have the right gear for the task at hand.
The new X5 also takes refinement to a new level. In fact, noise and vibration were excellently suppressed in the car. Travelling at higher speeds only saw some mild wind rustle from the wing mirrors and conversations inside were never strained.
Round the bends, the 2.2 tonne leviathan feels so planted and resists body roll superbly, it's easy to forget you're in a big SUV.
There's also new technology like torque vectoring - first seen on the X6 - which actively splits twisting force across the rear axle through corners for better traction, and together with responsive steering, a confidence inspiring and stable driving experience is created.
And if you want, the new X5 can get its feet dirty too. Hill descent control and the ability to transfer up to 100 percent of available torque to an individual wheel means the car will get you out of the woods safely.
Conclusion
The new X5 is a more complete car than its predecessor - it's a sharp drive, but couples more maturity and refinement with a much more premium-feeling cabin.
And while it may look like a bus to some people, it certainly doesn't drive like one. The car's size is hidden well and the chassis feels tight and capable while the transmission is snappy, helping to deliver a solid driving experience.
