I’m pretty sure that the first X5 I drove
about ten years ago was a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel that spat out
160kW. That was impressive back then. In 2014, BMW’s entry-level X5 still
outputs the same amount, but from a 2.0-litre turbodiesel that powers a bigger
rig, and yet consumes around 40 per cent less diesel while offering improved
performance. Talk about progress. Interestingly, the price is about eight grand
cheaper than it was ten years ago, yet the new X5 offers so much more. New cars
are currently astounding value in terms of their performance, reliability,
efficiency and convenience. There is a lot more choice now too but even so we’d
be mighty happy to slum it in this base X5 as it is supremely competent and at
the price, an extremely convincing luxury package.
The
BMW X5 25d is a visual standout from every angle, inside and out
Though it’s a base model this is hardly
bereft of specification. Expect sat nav and all manner of connectivity via the
iDrive system, a rear view camera, sensors and all the safety gear, with more
of the advanced stuff being optional. There’s power adjust for the leather
seats and the steering column while the tailgate is a no-hands device too,
though you might want to option keyless unlocking and seat heaters.
The engine is a good ‘un, small in capacity
but not in output or character. I’m no lover of four-cylinder diesels but this
one revs and delivers plenty of mid-range go, while there’s not much in the way
of tractor-like rattle to give the game away. The eight-speed auto keeps it in
the zone, that being 1,500-4,000rpm, and while there are various drive modes, Normal
or Comfort works fine 100 per cent of the time. When you need to get a move on,
simply activating the auto’s sport mode does the trick with no need for a
paddling. It cruises effortlessly too, 100km/h registering just 1,500rpm.
The
X5 is impressively refined and its interior finished to the standard that you'd
expect
The X5’s a big rig now, with plenty of
space for three in the rear and a generous boot. But it doesn’t feel like an
unwieldy bus to drive. The steering is brilliant, light weighted for town work
and yet it’s precise with just enough feedback to let you hustle the X5 hard in
the hills. And with the constantly variable torque split from the all-wheel
drive system and the various facets of the electronic stability control working
away in the background, this big family wagon feels genuinely lithe in action,
with grip to burn. On top of all that it rides well. No really, it rides like a
luxury SUV really ought to. About the only thing lacking is a bit more oomph to
comfortably overtake traffic on shorter straights. But then you could level
this at most diesels.
The
large boot should cope with most owner's storage requirements
This is a top buy and even though the base
ML and Q7 models are cheaper, those are old, lumbering trucks. No wonder BMW
doesn’t offer the 5 Series Touring any longer, as this vehicle is about as
dynamic while being a heap more versatile.
