Reinventing The Wheel: I Tested the NEW BMW X5 for 7 Days… BMW Is Cooking Hard! Review

BMW X5 Review Summary

Main Features

• Redesigned exterior: The reviewer liked the X5’s more distinctive, muscular look, including its classic-style grille, X-shaped daytime running lights, illuminated grille, sculpted sides, and wider-looking rear. The featured vehicle is finished in Vancouver Green with the M package.
• Power-operated winglet door handles: The doors can open and close automatically, including from inside the cabin. A manual release is provided in case the mechanism fails.
• 23-inch wheels: These are the largest wheels fitted to an X5 and have a turbine-inspired design. The reviewer praised their appearance but did not reach a firm conclusion about how they handle rough roads.
• More rear-seat room: The longer wheelbase adds legroom and headroom. At 190 cm tall, the reviewer found the rear seats comfortable for long trips. The reviewed configuration also includes a panoramic roof, USB-C ports, rear sunshades, heated seats, cupholders, and a Bowers & Wilkins speaker grille.
• Updated cargo area: The rear looks more aggressive and the cargo area is larger, but the traditional split tailgate is gone. There is no spare tire and underfloor storage is limited. The rear seats fold manually in a 60/40 split.
• Screen-focused cabin: A panoramic dashboard display presents driver information, while a central touchscreen runs the updated iDrive system. A head-up display is also available. The front passenger gets a separate entertainment screen with apps, streaming, and games.
• Driver monitoring and assistance: A camera monitors the driver’s gaze and blocks passenger-screen entertainment if the driver looks at it. On highways, the latest driver-assistance system can handle much of the driving while monitoring the driver’s attention.
• Lighting and convenience features: Ambient lighting changes with driving modes. Other features include automatic reading lights, projected M/X logos, configurable lighting displays, power doors, and adjustable tailgate height.

Driving and Performance

The reviewed X5 40i uses BMW’s 3.0-liter B58 inline-six engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The engine has an updated turbocharger.

Output is quoted at 394 hp and 428 lb-ft, up from the previous model’s 374 hp and less than 400 lb-ft. The reviewer cited an estimated 5.2–5.3 seconds to 60 mph, compared with about 5.3 seconds for the previous model.

The reviewer demonstrated launch control and said the added power offsets the vehicle’s increased weight. Fuel economy also appeared better, with average consumption during the test of about 11.7 L/100 km.

The X5 was easy to drive in the city and felt quieter and more comfortable than before. The reviewer’s U-turn tests were generally positive, although one attempt took about three lanes.

The reviewer liked the steering wheel’s tactile controls and found its unusual shape comfortable after several days of use. It initially looked awkward to him, but he ultimately preferred it to what he had expected.

Pros

• More striking styling and a more substantial road presence.
• Roomier, comfortable rear seating and a more spacious-feeling cabin.
• Stronger six-cylinder performance with modestly improved acceleration.
• Quiet, comfortable driving and easy city manners.
• Clear driver display that is quick to read without being distracting.
• Power doors and family-oriented convenience features.
• A price increase the reviewer felt was relatively modest for such a thorough redesign.

Cons

• Many climate and vent adjustments require navigating the touchscreen; the reviewer wanted physical controls. Vent adjustments were also slower than expected.
• Voice-control prompts and having to locate voice controls on the screen frustrated the reviewer.
• Limited small-item storage for a family SUV.
• No split tailgate, no spare tire, and limited underfloor storage; rear-seat folding is manual.
• The screen-heavy cabin may feel too game-like or unfamiliar to some buyers.
• The reviewer disliked the lack of manual vent controls, despite finding iDrive responsive and easy to learn.

Price and Comparisons

Starting prices were quoted at approximately $95,000 in Canada and $73,000 in the U.S. The reviewed Canadian vehicle cost about $118,000; a similarly equipped U.S. version was estimated at about $100,000.

The reviewer said prices had increased by about $3,500 in Canada and $2,000 in the U.S. compared with the previous model—less than he expected for a substantially redesigned vehicle.

Compared with its predecessor, the new X5 is roomier, more powerful, more distinctive in appearance, and more comfortable. The reviewer likened its highway assistance to Ford BlueCruise in terms of how much driving it can manage.

He described the B58 as a compelling alternative to the smaller four-cylinder engines found in some Toyota and Lexus models, though he did not make a direct vehicle-to-vehicle comparison. He had previously considered the Range Rover Sport his benchmark for seating position and comfort, but felt BMW had addressed the X5’s old “sitting on the car” feeling.

Verdict

The reviewer’s overall view was strongly positive. The new X5 addressed several longstanding complaints and, after several days of use, became one of his favorite X5s. He recommends it as a more distinctive, comfortable, and capable luxury family SUV, while cautioning that buyers who want physical controls, abundant storage, or the old split tailgate may be disappointed. No numerical overall rating was given.

Different Views Mentioned

• The reviewer’s father-in-law, a former X5 owner, disliked the new steering wheel’s appearance. The reviewer initially shared that reaction but changed his mind after using it.
• Other people shown the cabin were divided: some thought it looked like a gaming space, while others disliked the interior outright.