Great Styling, Improved Range, New Entry Model
Steering can be vague, third row seats for kids only,
BMW Australia has launched three of the seven new models that will form the local line-up of the third generation BMW X5. Arriving first are the BMW X5 xDrive30d, BMW X5 xDrive50i and leading the charge is the BMW X5 M50d, joining them in 2014 will be the BMW xDrive35i, BMW X5 xDrive40d and a 2wd model.
The arrival of the new entry-level BMW X5 sDrive25d four-cylinder diesel model will be the first rear wheel drive only X5. Buyers will also be able to buy an AWD of the 2.5-litre diesel xDrive25d, both are scheduled to arrive in March 2014.
BMW X5 Overview
The BMW X5 has been a market leader in the luxury SUV segment since it was first launched in Australia back in 2001. Since then it has gone on to sell in excess of 37,000 units. With increased performance, better standard equipment levels and improved environmental credentials the F15 BMW X5 is poised to take the fight up against rivals like the new Range Rover Sport, Audi Q7 and the Mercedes ML.
As always BMW have offered a high-level of standard specification, entry level sDrive25d comes with Bi-Xenon headlights, Automatic tailgate, Electric seat adjustment, LED fog lights, Rear View Camera, Sport leather steering wheel, 10.25' screen with sat-nav and Bluetooth functionality including audio streaming and internet functionality.
The full BMW X5 line-up in Australia by March 2014 will be:
BMW X5 sDrive25d $82,900 - 2014
BMW X5 xDrive25d $87,990 - 2014
BMW X5 xDrive30d $99,900
BMW X5 xDrive35i $106,900 - 2014
BMW X5 xDrive40d $115,900 - 2014
BMW X5 xDrive50i $133,900
BMW X5 M50d $147,900
BMW X5 Engine
Under the bonnet the BMW X5 comes with a choice of six engines, four diesels and two petrol. All models are twin-turbocharged and fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission - there is no manual option.
Entry in to the range is the sDrive25d and xDrive25d both due in March 2014. Producing 160kW at 4,400 rpm and 450Nm at 1,500 – 2,500rpm. It is capable of getting from 0-100km/h in 8.2 seconds, fuel consumption for the 2WD sDrive is an impressive 5.8litres per 100km or 6.0 litres for the xDrive.
Next up is the xDrive30d producing 190kW up 10 kW on the previous model, torque has increased 20Nm to 560Nm. The increase in performance helps improve the 0-100 km/h time by 0.7 seconds to just 6.9 seconds, impressively the average fuel economy figures have also been improved by 1.2 litres per 100km to 6.2 litres per 100 km, with CO2 emissions of 162 grams per km (– 33 grams per km).
The xDrive35i scheduled to arrive in March 2014 delivers 225kW and 400Nm the same figures as previously, however the has been improvements in performance and efficiency. A 0.3 seconds improvement in the 0-100km/h time now sees a figure of 6.5 seconds. Fuel Economy has improved by 1.6 litres to 8.5 litres per 100km whilst only emitting 197 grams per km of CO2.
BMW X5 xDrive40d is also scheduled for March 2014 also sees major improvements over its predecessor. Producing an extra 5kW to increase output to 230kW, an additional 30Nm bring total toque to 630 Nm. The improved performance helps the new BMW X5 xDrive40d get from 0-100km/h in just 5.9 seconds, an improvement of 0.7 seconds. Fuel consumption is improved by 1.3 litres to only 6.2 litres per 100km.
BMW X5 xDrive50i is a brutally powerful engine and the engineers have managed to extract even more power and performance. It now delivers 330kW up 30kW and torque is up 50Nm to 650Nm all delivered between 2000 and 4500rpm. Claimed fuel consumption is down to 10.5litres per 100kms from 12.5-litres, CO2 emissions are also reduced by 48 grams to 244 grams per km.
Leading the pack is the BMW X5 M50d producing identical outputs to its predecessor of 280 kW and 740 Nm, the 0–100-km/h time of the BMW X5 M50d has improved by 0.1 seconds to 5.3 seconds and by 0.8 litres to 6.7 litres per 100km. The C02 emissions been improved by 22 grams and now are 177 grams per km.
BMW X5 Interior
The BMW X5 brings all of the latest styling cures from the BMW family. The freestanding 10.25' media centre is linked to the excellent iDrive system, occupants can control satellite navigation and audio (Harman Kardon Sound System on the xDrive35i and above). The screen is also used to display the standard top view/side view/rear view camera system.
The cabin in the latest BMW X5 is light and airy, depending on what interior options you go for, the inside will be dominated by leather and wood or aluminium. Add the usual BMW technology like active cruise control, lane departure warning, lane changing assistance and collision warning and you can't go wrong.
The spacious interior for five can be boosted with the option for seven-seats via a two fold flats seats in the rear. Luggage capacity has also increased to 650 litres with the second row of seats in place and a massive 1,870 with all the seats folded – this is an increase of 30 and 120 litres respectively over the out going model. Further enhancements to the front include the new air intakes at the extreme edges of the front bumper
BMW X5 Exterior and Styling
On the outside the evolution from the previous model has delivered a great looking SUV. The shark nose design grille now merges seamless in to the twin headlights, which now consume the front end. BMW have taken to using some of their aerodynamic aids as key design elements. Up front they have used the air curtains in the front fascia, the air breather as part of the front wing and Aeroblades at the rear reduce fuel consumption across the range.
Bi-xenon headlights and LED fog lights are included as standard. Adaptive LED Headlights with anti-glare high beam assistant are standard for the xDrive50i and M50d and available as an option for other models ($2,000 for the 35i/40d, $3,000 for the 30d).
Overall the BMW X5 is wider and longer than the model it replaces, width is up 2mm to 1,938mm, and length is up 32mm to 4,886mm. The current BMW X5 is now 3mm lower at 1,762mm high, compared to the out going model.
With a choice of two exterior packages buyers can opt for the elegant looking 'Design Pure Excellence' package or a more sporty appearance offered from the 'Design Pure Experience' package. Design Pure Excellence includes silver matt finish accents on the rear bumper and side air intakes, a, silver matt finish exhaust pipes, front grille bars and roof rails, as well as underbody protection for the front, side and rear in brushed stainless steel. Design Pure Experience gains chrome accents on the rear bumper and side air intake, high-gloss Shadow Line roof rails, chrome window recess covers, front grille bars with high gloss chrome accents. The lower air intakes at the front feature high-gloss chrome accents. The underbody protection front, side and rear are in body colour along with the wheel arches.
Depending on which model you opt for you will have a choice of 18' to 20' alloy wheels.
BMW X5 On the Road
Where do you begin with the BMW X5? The full range is as complex as it is long. On the drive route in New Zealand, carshowroom.com.au had the opportunity to sample xDrive30d with M Sport package, the BMW X5 xDrive50i and the range-topping beast BMW X5 M50d.
We drove the X5 on a number of different surfaces including highway, country lanes, gravel roads and a mini off-road circuit. The BMW X5 is the perfect long distance tourer; the updated front seats are both comfortable and supportive. On the tight and twisty roads the X5 does an amazing job, it performs more like a sport cars than a 2-tonne SUV.
It won't get to the end of the Howqua track but it will perform well on dirt tracks and gravel roads as long as they aren't too rough. We had the chance to test the BMW X5 on a slightly challenging off road circuit, it performed well beyond how expectations. The hill control decent did a decent job, but we would have liked to give it a go on a distance further than the 20-odd meters we tested it on.
Ride and handling is outstanding across the range, the array of suspensions packages available is dazzling if not slightly confusing. We felt that the standard set-up was OK not outstanding or amazing. However with four different options to choose from (Adaptive Suspension Package Comfort, Adaptive M Suspension, Adaptive Suspension Package Dynamic, Adaptive Suspension Package Professional) buyers can option up to suit their needs.
We sampled the Adaptive Suspension Package Dynamic which improves cornering reducing under steer and body roll. The other option is Adaptive Suspension Package Professional which increases ride comfort coupled with improved driving dynamics, this package is standard on the xDrive 50i. Also standard on the M50d but with addition of Adaptive M Suspension tuning.
BMW X5 Challenges
We found the speed sensitivity steering to be inconsistent. Sometime it provided great feedback and other times we struggled to get a feel for the car. While claimed fuel consumption figures are reduced, but with a little bit of enthusiastic driving you will be doubling those figures with ease.
BMW X5 Competition
If you have the cash there is a host of European and Japanese car companies willing to help you part with your cash.
Like in all other segments BMW's closet rival is Mercedes-Benz and this one is no different. The Mercedes-Benz ML offer a like for like model match-up starting at $82,900 for the 2.2-litre diesel, all the way up to $179,400 for the range topping ML 63 AMG.
The Audi Q7 offers the German luxury but on a limited model line-up. Buyers have a choice of three models starting at $90,000 for a 3.0litre diesel.
Infiniti FX is a worthy contender and has the model range to compete. Starting at $83,900 FX 37 GT the top spec'd FX 50S premium stacks up well at $114,900
The Range Rover Sport has recently been re-launched and it stacks up well against the BMW X5, starting from $102,800 the lack of entry model will make the BMW X5 sDrive2.5d popular with people buying their first luxury SUV.
Last but not least is the Porsche Cayenne its has a similar sporting pedigree as the X5, starting at $110,400 and topping out at $294,000 for the 4.8 litre Turbo S.
BMW X5 Verdict
The BMW X5 is bigger, leaner, faster and cleaner. The introduction of the 2wd entry-level model will help BMW sell even more X5's. It stacks up well against its rivals and is brilliant car to drive. It won't get you off the beaten track, but very few BMW X5's ever leave in the inner green leafy suburbs.
If you are looking a large luxury SUV then it's hard to look past the excellent BMW X5. Here at Carshowroom.com.au we expect to see the BMW X5 dominate the sales charts for a few more years. If we had to part with our hard earned cash, we would go for the Drive30d with M Sport package, it has the perfect balance between performance and economy.
