How to make a statement on the school run
The X5 is the SUV that launched a thousand cliches. But although theres no greater symbol of school-run one-upmanship, behind the image its a tremendously capable car. Its the kind of 4x4 thats not meant to go off-road but whod want to?
Every X5 comes with a well stocked inventory of safety equipment, toys and creature comforts. Cruise, climate, leather and all-round parking sensors are standard, as are wipers and headlamps that know when to switch themselves on. Also standard is self-levelling rear air suspension, which adjusts itself for whatever load youre carrying. The MSport model gains bigger alloys, a body kit and a funkier steering wheel. It also has sports suspension, which you can choose to do without if you want the looks without having to put up with a firmer ride. Either model also offers a massive range of options, from bigger wheels and upgraded leather packages to a head-up display, electric tailgate and any number of sat-nav, phone and internet packages. Both can also be ordered with a third row of seats, giving them the option of being able to carry seven people.
Assuming you dont have the stomach for a petrol engine (or indeed the wallet), the good news is that the X5s diesel engines are among its strongest suits. All are based on the same basic 3.0-litre straight-six, and none will disappoint. The latest version, indeed, in the new M50d, will see off a Porsche Boxster from 0-62, while at the same time giving you fuel economy in the high 30s. Still, its the 30d that gets the big sales, and you can see why. At £45,070 for the entry-level model, its by no means cheap. But its still plenty powerful enough for most people, and driven sensibly itll give you 40+ mpg on a run.
The X5s cabin feels clean and classy, with excellent soft-touch facia materials. Everything looks very well defined, and the use of BMWs iDrive multi-function controller means the dash doesnt have to be a sea of buttons. This takes a bit of getting used to if youre new to the car. But its worth the effort, and using it soon comes naturally. As usual with BMW, the seats are exceptional, with loads of adjustability and an excellent leather finish. Theres plenty of legroom in the back, too, though the ceiling is a bit on the low side here. Further back, if you dont have the seven-seat option theres a huge hidden stowage area under the floor where the third row of seats would have gone. On such a modern SUV, though, its disappointing that the second row doesnt go down to create a totally flat cargo bay.
It goes without saying that the X5 is quick, with even the base-spec diesel engine tested here giving it a surging turn of pace. Whats really impressive, though, is just how refined it is. However hard you push it, the diesel unit never sounds stressed. And when youre cruising on the motorway, the hush in the cabin is almost unearthly. It feels less at home on bad roads, though. BMWs are always built to handle, and you can throw it through bends to great effect, but the taut suspension and low-profile tyres make for a fair bit of body movement on undulating surfaces. Pot holes and rough country roads upset it a little, too, sending the occasional thump or vibration into the cabin. These are well damped out, but you do notice them. Get it on to a fast, flowing B-road, though, and what youll notice most of all is what a joy it is to drive fast.
If you can afford to buy one in the first place, an X5 makes a pretty sound investment especially with some good discounts around. Demand on the used market is always high, so itll hold its value well. Running costs will be moderate, too, at least by premium SUV standards, thanks to the high-tech diesels lack of thirst and the comparatively low emissions that come from that. Dont expect servicing to be cheap, though, and this level of price and performance means chunky insurance premiums. As always, however, resisting depreciation is the big one and an X5 with the right options will always put up a good fight.
