BMW X5 review (2007 onwards)

Model: BMW X5 3.0sd SE
Bodystyle: Five-door SUV
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder, turbodiesel
Transmission: Six-speed auto, four-wheel drive

What is it?

What adjectives spring to mind when you think of the BMW X5? If SUVs wind you up it's likely words like aggressive, arrogant and maybe even smug spring to mind. Oh yes, especially smug. And you know what? From the driver's seat of an X5 that's a mindset that comes very easily. Especially if it's a 3.0sd. The list of reasons is a long one. But, given the current climate, one in particular stands out - the sub 225g/km CO2 emissions and subsequent ducking of congestion charge penalties and inflated gas guzzler road tax. Hell, even fellow SUV drivers are going to hate you for that one.

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Where does it fit?

90% of UK X5 sales are diesels, the 3.0sd slotting in above the existing 3.0d. That 's' maybe lower case but it clearly stands for significant, that being the only way to describe the advantages the new model brings. For a £2,170 premium over the standard 3.0d the sd adds BMW's twin sequential turbo technology. The 282bhp and 428lb ft this brings is a leap of 50bhp and 45lb ft over the d, with only marginal penalties in CO2 and mpg. At £42,730 it's top money compared with equivalent six-cylinder diesel versions of the Touareg, ML and Q7. But in performance terms it's in another league.

Is it for you?

Squeamish SUV haters had better stop reading now because it really is very hard to find much reason to criticise the X5. Yes, it's a big, heavy and supremely aggressive vehicle and a good number of your fellow road users will despise you for that. Not that you'll care one jot. Now available with seven seats (a £1,320 option) the X5 excels as family transport but it also offers one of the best driving experiences in the sector. You never forget the size or weight but the way BMW has negated the traditional top heavy SUV handling is nothing short of remarkable.

What does it do well?

Where to start? We've established that the X5 is fun to drive, with iron fisted handling and weighty, meaningful controls. But perhaps even more impressive is the interior's combination of style, functionally superb technology and a cohesive air of quality unmatched by any of its rivals. There isn't room to even begin to list the clever techie features but the real masterstroke is making them actually useful, rather than gimmicky and frustrating. The head-up display is a good example - sure, it's a geek's delight but it actually works, delivering basic info like speed and navigation without cause to take your eyes off the road.

What doesn't it do well?

Social stigma aside, it may come as a relief to hear the X5 does actually have some faults. The driving experience is meaty, but the heavy steering, thumping ride on the runflats and (optional) 19-inch wheels might actually be a touch too macho for some drivers, especially around town. And on the motorway it's not as planted as you might expect, the wheel demanding constant tiny corrections that add to fatigue. It's also very thirsty and even though it will be better than its rivals running costs will be high. And while we're moaning the strident parking radar comes straight out of the CIA's 'torture light' handbook.

What’s it like to live with?

Well it won't do your sense of humility any good, and after a spell at the wheel you quickly understand why X5 drivers exude a self endowed sense of superiority. Everything just works harmoniously, the iDrive control proving more intuitive than the mess of buttons found in most rivals and the xDrive all-wheel drive chassis quietly delivering unimpeachable traction at all times. The engine is hugely impressive too, the smaller turbo giving low down grunt before the bigger one joins in to give seamless, linear acceleration across the board. The toys don't come cheap though - our test car's pricetag swelling by over nine grand to push it over £50K.

How green is it?

Amusingly, as far as the taxman and Ken Livingstone are concerned, the 3.0sd's 216g/km CO2 figure makes it as ecologically inoffensive as a family hatchback. And the fact that you can drive this X5 into the London congestion zone and escape the forthcoming £25 anti 4x4 charge is endlessly entertaining. But the reality demonstrates what a joke simplistic emissions based regulation really is, because despite slipping under the legislative eco radar the X5 is a bona fide gas guzzler. Under mixed driving conditions we regularly saw low 20s mpg and at no point did we get anywhere near the claimed 34.4mpg combined figure.

Would we buy one?

If the X5 were a person you'd find him (it would have to be a him) irritatingly cocky and self assured, fluffed with his success and annoyingly well groomed. But he'd be charismatic too and you'd hate yourself for wanting to be his mate, laugh at his jokes and snigger at his shoulder when he bullied those less confident and able. And though not without faults the X5's all encompassing ability and endlessly satisfying application of technology is impossible not to admire. Dammit, it goes against our every instinct but yes we would.

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