BMW X5 2010 Review

BMW X5

Not so much
>> Off-road grip and ride quality
>> Slight turbo lag on entry-level petrol model

About our ratings

Hot on the heels of the international launch of the new BMW X5 in Miami, a local steer through Victoria's historic gold rush district has provided us with some brief but valuable wheel time in the luxury brand's largest soft-roader. And the four model range has proven once again it's king of its class for good reason.

The obvious place to start is with BMW's noticeably augmented pricing, an increase of between 3.8 and 16.6 per cent noted depending on model variant sees the line-up now range from $92,100 to $133,400. But with this added charge comes a lot of extra kit -- the standard equipment list in every model has received a significant upgrade.

Additionally, considerable fuel economy improvements, reductions in CO2 emissions and enhanced power and torque figures pump more relative value in to the new X5 range, the second generation's facelift also seeing minor cosmetic and trim changes to round out the mid-life model makeover.

So what's new exactly? Well for starters, the front fascia has been mildly revised to incorporate more body colour across the apron, brighter silver-matte kidney grilles and more centrally-mounted fog lamps which BMW says helps emphasise X5's broad stance. Further, pseudo matte aluminium protection panels are included in the lower centre section of both the front and rear bumpers. There is a new rear diffuser, remodelled exhaust outlets and more defined LED-powered L-shaped tail lamps at the rear.

A refreshed colour palette and new catalogue of alloy wheels also join the exterior changes.

Inside, the spacious and practical cabin continues to offer BMW's familiar dashboard and instrumentation layout, a comprehensive array of technology packed in to the simplistic, user-friendly functionality of the high quality centre stack switchgear and console-mounted iDrive controller.

Upholstery colour options now extend to five (adding Cinnamon Brown and Oyster), all in supple yet resilient leather, while trim highlights can also be customised through a variety of woodgrain, faux-metal and high gloss finishes. Additional driver aids, added passenger comfort and a wide range of optional equipment packages are also available at cost.

Joining the X5's already comprehensive mechanical package is a new eight-speed transmission that is now standard across the range. This brings remarkable fuel economy gains and almost imperceptible shifts to the revised model, while Servotronic power steering (also standard across the range) improves low speed assistance for easier manoeuvrability when parking.

EfficientDynamic technologies also sees BMW's smart alternator system [Ed: which the company continues erroneously to call Regenerative Braking] included as standard on all new X5 models.

In addition to a slight change to model nomenclature, revised engine configurations also alter X5's all important fuel economy figures with improvements up to 17 per cent achieved via new turbocharging and fuel injection technology.

Beginning with the BMW X5 xDrive30d, a 3.0-litre 180kW/540Nm offering figure raises output figures from the six-cylinder unit by 7kW/20Nm respectively above the outgoing model. A single variable vane turbocharger also trimming fuel economy by 1.3L to 7.4L/100km and CO2 emissions by 36g to 195g/km.

Performance figures see a 0-100km/h time of just 7.6 seconds, with a top speed of 210km/h.

BMW say the entry-level turbodiesel model will account for approximately 80 per cent of all model sales.   

Moving up the range, the BMW X5 xDrive35i is the first petrol offering in the range. Utilising a 3.0-litre 225kW/400Nm single-turbo six-cylinder, the model replaces the xDrive30i with significant fuel economy gains and even more power.

Direct-injection and VALVETRONIC technology see combined average fuel economy figures fall 1.6L to 10.1L/100km and CO2 emissions remain unchanged at 236g/km. The 0-100km/h sprint is knocked over in a mere 6.8 seconds while top speed is claimed at 235km/h.

Topping the powertrain line-up in the diesel department, the BMW X5 xDrive40d Sport replaces the xDrive35d with power figures equalling the aforementioned petrol model of 225kW.

Significantly, the TwinPower Turbo 3.0-litre six-cylinder delivers 20Nm more torque than its predecessor for a total of 600Nm. The high-precision fuel injection system and lightweight magnesium-aluminium alloy engine block ensure fuel use is metered to an impressive 7.5L/100km with CO2 emissions just 198g/km.

Acceleration from rest to 100km/h is dealt with in a very respectable 6.6 seconds while top speed is 236km/h. 

In pole position, the all-conquering BMW X5 xDrive50i Sport, featuring the new 4.4-litre 300kW V8 petrol engine, replaces the xDrive48i with a power increase of 39kW and a torque boost of 125Nm for a total of 600. Also featuring TwinPower Turbo technology and high precision injection, this barnstorming Bavarian brute sprints from 0-100km/h in a blistering 5.5 seconds -- a full second quicker than its predecessor -- and on top a top speed of 240km/h.

Fuel economy, an almost redundant figure at this end of the market, still manages to impress at 12.5L/100km while CO2 emissions are 292g/km.

Both ‘Sport' models include sports suspension as standard (which can be deleted as a no-cost option), and on xDrive50i Sport, rear self-levelling suspension is also fitted. Active Steering is also available as an option on both petrol-powered models.

ON THE ROAD
As far as the feel behind the wheel goes, X5 continues to offer a settled and sorted car-like drive, impressive on-road handling and stirring performance.

Our drive route comprising all manner of roads from well kept highway legs through winding stretches on choppy C roads and even a stint over pot-hole plagued dirt back roads.

On the black top, X5 is exceptionally well sorted, even if slightly firm in higher specification guises (the combination of large diameter alloy wheels and sports suspension not suited to poorly maintained Victorian country roads). Handling is suitably well balanced for a high-riding SUV, its cornering remarkably flat and road feel planted. 

Off-road however the big wheel/small tyre combination sees X5 skate over loose gravel surfaces. Becoming quite unsettled over corrugations, continued vibration also causing a loss of drive. In these conditions the X5's traction control system triggers continuously over jarring dirt roads and ribbed corners. It wasn't too long before we switched the DSC off.

Performance however, on-road or off-, is impressively strong. The two diesel models are particularly impressive and the V8 petrol in a league of its own.

The only negative of any note coming from the slight turbo lag presented in the entry-level xDrive35i petrol model when reapplying the throttle after coasting or from the lights. This is not present in the 5 Series sedan with the same powertrain – perhaps a calibration problem.

In the X5 it's a negligible and brief pause, but a pause all the same, and by comparison to the remainder of the range – and especially the incredibly impressive base-model xDrive30d diesel – is the one small negative in what's otherwise rousing powertrain line-up.  

A clear leader in a tough market segment, the X5 has again proved itself the technology datum, and an accomplished family-hauler, against the likes of Audi Q5, Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz ML-Class. Impressively blending frugal fuel consumption with athletic performance and luxury accommodation with state-of-the-art know-how the new X5 is certain to lead the pack for a while to come.

BMW (E70) X5 pricing:
xDrive30d LCI 3.0 turbo diesel $92,100 (up $3560 or 3.8%)
xDrive35i LCI 3.0 turbo petrol $103,900 (up $17,265 or 16.6%)
xDrive40d Sport LCI 3.0 twin-turbo diesel $113,900 (up $6000 or 5.3%)
xDrive50i Sport LCI 4.4 twin-turbo petrol $133,400 (up $10,000 or 7.5%)

BMW (E70) X5 option pricing:
Metallic Paint $3000
Third-row Seats $2000
Active Cruise Control $4700
Lane Departure Warning $1400
Side View Camera System $900
Top View Reversing Camera $1500
Speed Limit Indicator $700 (available late 2010)

BMW (E70) X5 option package pricing:
Executive Pack $7000 (xDrive 30d only)
Innovations Pack $12000 (xDrive 30d) $9900 (xDrive 35i, xDrive 40d Sport & xDrive 50i Sport)
Sports Pack $7600 (xDrive 30d) $3000 (xDrive 35i) Std (xDrive 40d Sport & xDrive 50i Sport)

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