Latest technology for larger BMW X5. The fourth evolution of the BMW X5 SUV is bigger and bolder, with new features including a split-tailgate, an active chassis and adjustable ride height. On sale now, prices start from £56,710 and the 3.0-litre xDrive30d diesel is expected to be the top seller, adding to the 2.2 million X5s sold since the E53 model’s arrival in 1999.
From the outside, the biggest change is BMW’s adoption of a much larger kidney grille, even if it’s still dwarfed by its rival Q7’s octagonal family face. Elsewhere it’s instantly recognisable as an X5, with simple but muscular lines. Choosing the entry-level xLine trim has an effect, covering the vertical grille bars, roof rails and window surrounds in satin aluminium, while M Sport sees the wheelarches, lower bumpers and side skirts painted in the body colour, with the roof rails and window trim finished in gloss black.
“To compete with rivals like the Volvo XC90, the latest X5 has also grown – it’s now 36mm longer, 66mm wider and 19mm taller…”
Wheels span in size from 19 inches on the xLine model to 20 inches for the M Sport, but optional wheels reach up to 22 inches in diameter.
To compete with rivals like the Volvo XC90, the latest X5 has also grown – it’s now 36mm longer, 66mm wider and 19mm taller, while its wheelbase is 42mm more generous. Despite this, the 645-litre boot is slightly smaller than before; BMW is targeting increased passenger space instead, mainly by improving space for the optional third row of seats. The middle row splits in a 40:20:40 fashion and the new splittailgate should also make loading easier, to boost practicality. Electric adjustment is also available for the middle row, allowing owners to remotely move the seats fore and aft using handy buttons located in the boot.
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BMW has been on a button-culling exercise inside, replacing them with its latest version of iDrive, operated by a Touch Controller, the steering wheel, voice commands and gestures. BMW Live Cockpit also replaces analogue dials, and the 12.3-inch display has enough room to show your navigation route. The result is a slimmer dashboard with a narrow strip for the air vents and key controls, allowing more of the upper-dashboard to be on show. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are standard, but the upholstery can also be upgraded and finished in four different colours. M Sport models will feature a dark headlining, sports steering wheel, pedals and unique seat piping and trim. The optional panoramic sunroof is 30 per cent larger than before and there’s an option to add ambient lighting that mimics a starlit sky in the glass.
Another major change for the new X5 is the option to add air suspension, active roll bars and four-wheel steering to the chassis. This results in an SUV that can adjust its ride height by up to 80mm and has less body roll and a smaller turning circle. Driver aids are heavily promoted, helping take the strain out of driving in traffic and improving safety by stepping in to hit the brakes in an emergency. At launch the xDrive30d will get 261bhp, propelling it from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 143mph.
It features a particulate filter, NOx absorption catalyst and SCR with AdBlue injection and returns up to 47.1mpg while emitting 158g/km of CO2. There’s also an xDrive50d diesel with four turbochargers bolted to the 3.0-litre straight-six instead of one, boosting power to 395bhp and cutting the 0-62mph dash to 5.2 seconds. It will also be more costly to run, returning 41.5mpg and emitting CO2 at the rate of 179g/km.
