BMW X5 2019 First Drive
The Range Rover might have pioneered the concept of a luxury off-roader, but the BMW X5 is largely responsible for the modern SUV that is now dominating the premium segment.
That was almost 20 years ago, and now into its fourth-generation the BMW X5 continues to march forward, taking over from the 3-Series as the bread-and-butter of the German brand.
Following in the wheeltracks of the G30 5-Series sedan on which it shares its fundamental underpinnings, the all-new G05 X5 is set to arrive in Australian showrooms late this year with a series of variants that largely follow the formula set by the original but showcase that evolution improves the breed with a raft of new technologies, upgraded engines, the latest active safety innovations, and the newest interior design theme from BMW.
- Quiet and refined 3.0-litre turbo diesel
- Mix of classic and modern interior elements
- Smart cargo solutions and digital tech
- Rear space not as big as you'd expect
- Crystal glass gearlever is bit naff
- Still a big, heavy car
Can I afford the BMW X5 30d?
The initial range will consist of two diesel-powered variants - the X5 30d and X5 M50d - with a petrol-powered X5 40i set to join soon after, and then followed by a high-tech X5 45e plug-in hybrid and eventually a full-house third-generation X5 M high-performance model with the same 441kW 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 powertrain from the latest M5. All of those feature a revised all-wheel drive transmission, but, while BMW executives were being coy about it during the international launch program in Atlanta, USA, it is highly likely an entry-level rear-drive will slot into the range too.
BMW Australia has yet to lock down final prices for those X5 confirmed models, but you can expect incremental price rises over existing variants - the 30d presently starts at $112,990 (plus on-roads) while the M50d is $144,990 (plus on-roads).
What do you get for your money?
Similarly, exact specifications will be revealed closer to the car's official arrival but the 30d will be equipped with a generous list of standard equipment, from a beautifully-finished leather-lined cabin crammed with loads of goodies such as four-zone climate control, cupholders that can keep drinks chilled or warm, heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function, wireless phone charging and smarpthone mirroring for Apple CarPlay, sat nav, digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and BMW's full suite of Connected Services.
There will also be a long list of optional extras, including a new panoramic glass roof that uses LED lighting to illuminate 15,000 patterns across the glass to give the impression of a night sky, a high-grade Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system that uses diamonds in the speakers and has a 1500-watt amplifier for ultimate music clarity and a ridgey-didge crystal gearlever insert, the top of the rotary controller and starter button.
The 30d is likely to be fitted with 20-inch alloys as standard, but the X5 is now capable of housing even larger (optional) 22-inch wheels.
All variants will come standard with an eight-speed automatic adaptive suspension and adaptive dampers, with a sportier Adaptive M Professional set-up with active anti-roll bars, an electronically-controlled limited slip rear differential and four-wheel steering or a plush three-stage air suspension system also available. The latter can be ordered with a specific Off Road package that, along with increasing the ride height by up to 80mm for improved ground clearance, can alter the engine response, transmission calibration and stability control settings across four unique drive modes - Sand, Rocks, Gravel or Snow.
Showcasing the rapid advances in safety systems, the X5 already overtakes the 5-Series with a few more additions to its comprehensive suite of active driver aids.
Among the highlights, the stop-and-go active cruise control can hold the car stationary for up to 30 seconds and continue moving when in heavy traffic, the automated parking system now takes full control of the braking, accelerator and steering for both parallel and perpindicular parking while a reversing assistant records movements for the last 50 metres of travel and automatically manouevres the vehicle along exactly the same path backwards.
There's also a full colour head-up display that can configured to show a multitude of information on the windscreen, and the ability to drive autonomously at speeds up to 60km/h in heavy traffic.
That is on top of existing functions such as automated emergency braking, lane keeping assistance with automated lane changing, rear cross traffic and blind spot warnings.
The computer system will also drive the vehicle off to the side of the road and come to to a complete standstill, while calling the emergency services, if the driver fails to respond to a sequence of audible and visual warnings - in the dash and through flashing lights on each spoke of the steering wheel - to take control, the car assuming whoever is the behind the wheel is no longer capable of driving having suffered a medical condition for example.
What's the interior of the X5 like?
All of that safety stuff is nicely integrated into the new digital-centric cockpit behind a pair of 12.3-inch colour displays in the dash.
The twin-screen set-up looks better than the elongated slab of glass in the newest Mercedes models, as, for one, they are actually separated in the X5; the instrument cluster offering a new take on providing all the information necessary with the tacho and speedo sweeping around the edges of the screen, freeing up the centre to display information like sat nav directions or other information, while the infotainment screen sits at the top of the centre console, slightly angled towards the driver.
The latter introduces a completely overhauled digital interface, dubbed iDrive 7.0, that acts more like a smart phone with customisable tiles across a multitude of pages, meaning owners can tailor the functions to have the most-used options easily accessible on the 'home page' while the rest can be scrolled to either by swiping the screen or using the rotary controller in the centre console.
It's simple to use, looks clean and is really smart, with more stuff than most will ever access, like an optional Microsoft Office 365 package that syncs to a user's account to access emails and calendar appointments, as well as allowing Skype calls in the car, plus there's a host of third-party apps that can be synced to the car, from the likes of GoPro where you can view footage from your action camera or Yelp, so you can see star ratings for restaurants, hotels and attractions.
Beyond the geeky stuff, the X5 introduces a new interior design theme that brings a sharper edge to BMW's traditional cockpit layout. For the most part it looks classy, with soft tactile surfaces and beautiful stitched patterns in the leather seats constrasted by the coolness of brushed aluminium and glossy piano black highlights. The (optional) crystal elements in the gearlever and rotary controller look a bit naff though, and clearly designed to appeal to the Chinese market.
As usual, the fourth-generation X5 is fractionally larger than the car it replaces. Measuring 4922m long, 2004mm wide and sitting 1744mm high it is 36mm longer, 66mm wider and 19mm taller than before while riding on a wheelbase that has 46mm more space between the front and rear axles.
All of that equates to more space inside the cabin, with plenty of headroom for all occupants and more shoulder room across the car. But, despite the longer wheelbase, rear-seat space isn't as generous as you'd expect. Sure, it'll comfortably accomodate a couple of adults in the back seat, or three small kids, but legroom is surprisingly only adequate for a car that is physically so big, and there is no adjustment to slide the bench forward or backwards to improve it.
But it does still offer plenty of versatility, with a 40:20:40 split fold that allows for longer items to be carried in the 650L boot that can expanded to 1860L with all seats folded flat. Speaking of which, there are some smart load-lugging solutions introduced with the new X5, including an optional electronically retractable cargo blind that disappears under the floor while rubber strips rise and lower from the floor to keep goods secure while on the move but easy to load or remove when stationary.
Accessing the boot is convenient too, with the X5 continuing to offer a split-folding tailgate.
What's the tech like?
The X5 is more than a car, it's the epicentre of a digital ecosystem.
When fully tapped-in to BMW Connected Services using an in-built SIM card, the car is linked to BMW's Open Mobility Cloud that provides remote and concierge services, real-time traffic information and automatic emergency calls. But it can also be linked to smart devices, such as an iPhone, Apple Watch, Android smartphones and Amazon Alexa devices, that automatically recognise the driver profile and tailor the car's seating, audio and climate control functions to pre-determined settings.
Using information such as calendar appointments, the nav system can calculate the optimum departure time according to traffic and will alert the owner with a notification.
The X5 can also be operated from your smartphone with a new Digital Key that utilises Near Field Communication - like a tap-and-go credit card - to unlock the doors and start the engine. Owners can share the digital key with up to five friends.
What's under the bonnet?
While that is new-world tech, the X5 will be initially offered with a choice of two turbo diesel-powered models, the popular X5 30d and the sportier X5 M50d.
Both have a 3.0-litre in-line six cylinder engine driving a new-generation all-wheel drive transmission via an eight-speed automatic, but the 30d has two turbos where the 50d doubles that number.
In the former, power has been increased to 195kW and torque has been elevated to 620Nm, available on a narrow band of revs between 2000-2500rpm, while the latter has 294kW and 750Nm, giving it the ability to slingshot its hulking 2275kg mass from 0-100km/h in just 5.8 seconds.
The 30d has a claimed average consumption of 6.0L/100km, which is amazing for such a big car. But considering the performance of the M50d, its figure of 6.8L/100km is even more staggering.
We sampled both the 30d and M50d during the fourth-gen X5's international launch outside of Atlanta, USA, near where it is built in South Carolina, on a combination of mostly smooth urban and rural roads, as well as a short - and not very challenging - off road course.
In any of those environments, the fundamental basics of the new X5 are hugely impressive with both models showcasing a significant improvements in its dynamic abilities (although there is a caveat to the latter as all the launch models were fitted with the optional air suspension set-up).
Even so, the X5 steps forward in overall refinement with the 30d offering all you really need in a car of this size. The engine is nice and smooth and revs quickly for a diesel and is exceptionally quiet, barely emitting any noise let alone the rattly, clacky soundtrack usually produced by turbo diesels.
It syncs perfectly with the invisible-shifting eight-speed auto to be in the right gear at the right time, whether it is lazily loping along at highway speeds in top gear or intuitively dropping down a few cogs for quick overtakes or enthusiastic stints between the bends.
But why have two turbos when you could have four? It might sound like overkill - and in some regards it is - but for those that have to have the biggest on the block, the M50d's is a staggering piece of kit, in that it feels like a big block V8 thanks to its effortless surge of power. It also sounds pretty meaty when you get stuck into it, generating a rich, deep exhaust note that is complimented by just a whisper of whistling turbos and whooshing wastegates.
In either version though, the X5 certainly continues to be one of the most dynamic luxury SUVs with an uncanny ability to mask its mass and feel like a much smaller car when you're up it for the rent. Sure, it feels a bit more top-heavy than an equivalent 5-Series sedan but the active anti-roll bars ensures it sits flat and sure-footed when you tip it into a corner, the four-wheel steering works a treat in improving its agility and the M-sourced electronic limited slip rear diff with torque vectoring across the axle provides plenty of traction under acceleration. You really can enjoy punting the X5 along a back road.
Saying that though, its sportiness doesn't compromise its everyday comfort as the steering is well-weighted and consistent across the ratio and, from the few little bumps we experienced, it feels compliant enough to handle Australia's patchy road network.
And, while most owners will never venture further off the beaten track than a gravel driveway, we new Off Road Package gives the X5 a decent amount of go-anywhere capabilities, using its electronic systems to easily navigate up and down rocky hills, through muddy puddles and over dips and ditches.
There is no doubt the fourth-generation X5 is even better than its predecessor.
The improvements though are all incremental rather than revolutionary, with the exception of some its digital tech, but then the X5 has remained the most popular vehicle of its type even towards the end of its predecessor's lifecycle. So clearly, BMW didn't want to spoil the recipe.
And it hasn't.
Price: $115,000 (estimated)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo diesel
Power: 195kW at 4000rpm
Torque: 620Nm at 2000-2500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 6.8L/100km