What is it?
This is the top model in BMW’s all-new-yet-looks-familiar, third generation X5 series: the BMW X5 M50d.
Call it an SUV or call it a Sports Activity Vehicle as BMW does, this one is the fire-breathing model that will go head to head with the Range Rover Sport, yet contains running costs within BMW’s usual suite of ‘efficient dynamics’ tricks mated to a six-cylinder diesel engine.
What’s Hot
- Monster engine spears you up the road on a 740Nm wave of torque
- Charismatic engine note sounds great
- Superb on-road handling…
It’s superb inside, and the big screen works really well with BMW’s iDrive controller - …and better off-road than you might assume
- Kit levels raised over outgoing version
- Superb interior
- Fantastic, 10.2 inch nav/media screen goes well with intuitive iDrive controller and 20GB hard drive
- Ride quality improved, particularly with adaptive M Suspension
- Some advanced, useful options available, such as a driving assistant that can trickle the car along stop-start traffic on the M-Way
- Handy, remote operation of tailgate
- Remarkably low emissions and running costs for a vehicle this fast
What’s Not
- Not as good off-road as a Range Rover
- Too much of the equipment is still a paid-for option
- The raised bonnet line is because of a pedestrian impact bonnet, but it slightly interrupts the styling
- Big grill is more Nebraska than Surrey
- Getting expensive at this end of the X5 spectrum
- Sat Nav trails Google mapping for street inclusion
- Feels as big as ever on narrow UK lanes
