Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 45

B

MW’s fi rst X5, launched in
2000, immediately became
the benchmark against which
all other SUVs have since been
judged.
So the new fourth generation
X5, like its predecessors, refi nes
a proven formula rather than
reinventing it.
We’re testing the xDrive 30d,
the top selling variant with a
195kW/620Nm 3.0-litre straight
six turbodiesel, eight-speed
automatic and all-wheel drive,
priced at $112,990.
The xDrive 40i, with a
250kW/450Nm turbopetrol six, is
$115,990, while the M50d, with a
294kW/760Nm triple turbodiesel
3.0-litre six, is $149,900.
This model expanded in all
directions, notably in width and
wheelbase. It’s still a fi ve seater,
with a third row option; a better bet
if you want seven spacious seats is
the extended wheelbase X7.
Serious effort has gone into
upgrading infotainment and
connectivity on this model,
in response to sophisticated

new interfaces from Audi

and Mercedes. Live Cockpit

Professional, as BMW calls it,

includes digital instruments,

the seventh iteration of iDrive, a

built-in SIM card that accesses

information and assistance

services (and automatically

downloads system updates),

smartphone integration via the

BMW Connected app and a new

head up display.

You can lock and unlock the car

simply by holding your smartphone

close to the external door handles.

When you place it in the phone

tray, you can start the engine.

I can’t tell you what the

ride is like in standard form

because our car’s adaptive air

suspension/21-inch alloy wheels/

low profi le tyres package was

sourced entirely from the options

list. As tested, the ride varied

from plush in Comfort mode to

predictably terse though still

acceptably compliant in Sport.

Although X5’s dash is

beautifully designed and fi nished,

the new infotainment is still to be

thoroughly debugged and doesn’t

work as effi ciently as it should.

Compared with Audi and

Mercedes, BMW’s digital

instruments lack the same level

of customisation, voice control is

erratic and at times nonsensical

in its response, gesture control is

haphazard (as it is on rivals) and

iDrive has become less intuitive.

Simple things like changing radio

bands and frequencies should

not be this complicated.

Relatively small dash vents also

struggle to fl ow enough cooling

air into the cabin on a 35-40

degree summer day, so you have

to wind up the fan speed to gale

force, which makes a lot of noise.

A plank-like rear bench

is spacious enough, but the

backrest is not adjustable

and tall passengers sit lightly

knees up. The boot, accessed

via a horizontally split, power

tailgate, is huge.

Active steering, stop and go

adaptive cruise, 360 degrees/

helicopter view camera

coverage and automatic

parking are included in a

comprehensive safety package.

It’s a toss up between X5 and

the Porsche Cayenne for best in

class dynamics. The BMW is a

tight, responsive wagon that can

be punted along a winding road

• sealed or dirt -- with complete
  composure and control at
  speeds that would confound
  lesser SUVs. Serious off roading
  is beyond its brief, though.
  BMW’s 3.0-litre turbodiesel
  six offers immediate throttle
  response, serious grunt from
  idle to redline, outstanding
  refi nement and close to four-
  cylinder fuel effi ciency --
  6.5-8L/100km on the highway
  and 9-11L/100km in town. The
  eight speed automatic works
  so smoothly and effi ciently you
  don’t even notice it.
  Compare X5 with the new
  Mercedes GLE and Porsche
  Cayenne before you make a
  decision. It’s a tough call.

BMW X5 FROM $112,990

THINGS WE LIKE

Superb turbodiesel engine

Dynamics that belie its size and

weight

Reasonably priced

Big cabin and boot

Well equipped and no options

required

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

Infotainment needs more work

Air conditioning doesn’t fl ow enough

cool air into the cabin on a hot day

Short warranty

Flat, unsupportive rear bench

Runfl at tyres

SPEX

Made in the USA

3.0-litre turbodiesel six/eight-speed

automatic/all-wheel drive

195kW of power at 4000rpm/620Nm

of torque from 2000-2500rpm

0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds (claimed)

7.0L/100km highway; 7.6L/100km

city; CO2 emissions are 189gkm;

fuel tank 80 litres

Max towing weight 1900kg

Standard: Seven airbags, AEB,

adaptive cruise, 360 degree

cameras, adaptive LED headlights,

automatic high beams, 20-inch

alloys with runfl at tyres (plus

a space saver spare), adaptive

suspension dampers, a sunroof,

power-operated, hands-free

tailgate, leather upholstery, power

adjustable sports seats.

Redbook future values: 3yr: 55%;

5yr: 45%

compare with ...

Mercedes GLE, Porsche Cayenne,

Range Rover Sport

Safety

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

S