BMW’s all-new X5 has raised the bar in its own right with higher levels of comfort and off-road ability to snare Range Rover punters.
When BMW launched the X5 nearly 20 years back, it kind of stood out from other SUVs with its bias toward on-road driving even though it could get its hands dirty.
And over the course of three generations, the X5 remained exactly like that because BMW clearly knew that its customers rarely ventured off the sealed tarmac with buyers in Thailand being no exception.
Which is why the all-new model, tested here for the first time in fourth-generation outfit, aims to continue that tradition amid a raft of new players in this particularly competitive segment of luxury SUVs.
Vehicles of this nature are all about presence and size, so BMW wasted no time in making the latest X5 bigger in all dimensions to help yield a highly spacious cabin for five.
There’s also the option of seven seats. But like in several rivals like the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover, the X5 remains at its best when used as a five-seater with a huge boot to match.
After all, BMW’s first proper seven-seat SUV will come in the guise of the GLS-rivaling X7 next year. And if it’s people-carrying ability that you really need in an SUV package, it might be better to wait for BMW’s pending SUV flagship.
Complementing the X5’s blown package is a heavily pronounced appearance thanks to the brand’s kidney-grille trademark that looks super-big in size. Whether that’s cool or too overstating is for you to decide, but the X5 certainly has much presence on the road.
Elsewhere around the vehicle, the changes in design are on the evolutionary side of things and generally conform to BMW’s current DNA. Aside roofline issues, expect the next-gen X6, due next year, to look very similar with the X5, whose upright stance relate to practicality and not coupe-like appearance of its sporty relative.
At first glance, the X5’s interior may look like a gentle evolution. And even if it is, it’s still for the better. There are less switches scattered around on the fascia because they are now placed neatly in clusters, an example being the various drive mode selectors around the gear lever on the centre console.
The enhanced digital instrument panel, infotainment system and head-up display are new developments for not only the X5 but for the brand. Functions of the infotainment, in particular, can be operated in a variety of ways, be it voice, gesture or touch control. It’s actually nice to be given a choice because different people may like to do things differently.
And while overall ergonomics have taken some positive strides, the perceived quality of the cabin is another facet that is taking the X5 to practically the same level of, say, a Range Rover (let’s not forget that BMW was once related to this British marque during the inception of the pioneering X5).
And to top things off, the seats in the X5 are comfy suiting the luxury bill better than before. The front chairs now have cool-air ventilation and massage function which should be of relevance for potential buyers in Thailand.
Of all the engines available for test at the driving trials in the US last week, the most relevant one for Thai buyers is no other than the 30d model due for launch at the year’s end. Of course, plug-in hybrids are now being touted by the Thai government, but this semi-electric X5 isn’t due on Thai forecourts till mid-2019.
Actually, the 30d was always a fine choice for people needing all-round performance for either city use or elsewhere. And this remains the case in the new X5 with an ample amount of usable power on tap and generous amount of grip derived from the xDrive all-wheel drive system.
A noticeable change in the X5’s road manners is the softer primary ride which isn’t a surprise given how SUV buyers use their vehicles these days. And the good thing is that this alteration hasn’t really harmed the driving characteristics of the X5. Apart from sufficient body control at speed, the X5 steers with enough confidence and intuition at the same time.
But you can certainly feel the X5’s increased proportions. Mind, the X5 has become one of the first vehicles to have a width nudging two metres. It may not be that instantly apparent on American roads but should certainly so in Thailand, where a standard for lane-width isn’t applied consistently, especially in urban areas. You can already start to imagine how that pending X7 would feel like an ocean liner on the move.
Despite being a road-biased SUV ever since, BMW has now given the X5 more off-road tricks including everything from air suspension to driving modes made, again, to feel like a Range Rover. There’s also a torque-vectoring differential on the rear axle and rear-wheel steering to enhance on-road driving dynamics, as well.
Due to the overwhelming number of players in this corner of the luxury SUV market, it almost appears that BMW just wants to make sure that the X5 can easily handle the dirty stuff. And yes, the X5 can, after an off-road drive in the countryside outside of Atlanta. But whether you’d really care is another thing.
However, it’s worth noting that the X5 now feels more comfortable, quieter and easier to drive on the black tarmac. While off-roading aids may not be necessary for the Thai-spec X5, the rear-wheel steering is worthwhile because it can counter the cumbersome body by boosting agility at low-speed maneouvres.
And on-road driving ability probably matters more for Thai buyers, who now have more choices in this bracket of SUVs, like the well-rounded Q7 or aggressively priced Volvo XC90.
But, on the other hand, it somehow appears that BMW has managed to move the X5 away from these aforementioned players in terms of driving ability, opulence and substance to pricier ones like the Cayenne or that Range Rover.
Perhaps, that could be considered an achievement for the X5.
FUTURE PROGRAMME
*The initial engine variance of the X5 to appear on Thai forecourts is the 265hp 30d model, as tested in the main story, targeting traditional buyers who want all-round performance for both the daily grind and holiday-making.
A price-leading four-cylinder diesel with rear-wheel-drive-only superseding the previous 218hp 25d is unlikely this time. It would definitely feel underperforming in this new-generation X5.
*A model from the M Performance department comes in the guise of the M50d running a quad-turbo 3.0-litre diesel. With 400hp and 760Nm on tap, the M50d is a peach to drive with its highly tractable power.
Due to its high price point of some eight million baht, this advanced diesel is most likely to sell in only small numbers in Thailand. The 30d will already suffice at some five million baht when sales start at the end of this year.
*Two petrol engines are available in the forms of 40i and 50i featuring 340hp 3.0-litre inline-six and 462hp 4.4-litre V8 accordingly. However, the duo have been developed for markets with a strong preference for petrol or dismissal for diesel.
The 50i is the most potent X5 yet with a 4.7sec 0-100kph time eclipsing the M50d’s record of 5.2sec. Neither petrol variant is planned for Thai sales.
*Although not available for test yet, BMW has announced a new plug-in hybrid called 45e highlighting 394hp 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine and electric system. Replacing the outgoing 40e, which used a 2.0-litre four-potter developing a combined 313hp, the 45e can cover the 0-100kph sprint in 5.6sec.
More crucial is the all-electric driving range which has nearly trebled to 80km due to an improved battery. It will come to Thailand next year with sub-5 million baht prices thanks to tax perks handed out by local state authorities.
*The quickest X5 is slated to come in the shape of the full-fat M model. Sources say the X5 M should be getting the latest 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from the M5 developing at least 600hp.
But with an anticipated price of over 10 million baht, the range-topping X5 will hardly find buyers in Thailand even though there might some punters craving for a super-fast SUV.
