2005 BMW X5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Though the BMW X5 has been on North American roads for years, it can still cause a double-take as you reconcile traditional design cues like the kidney grilles, round headlights, L-shaped taillights, and classic Hofmeister kink with the SUV to which they're applied. Last year’s design updates certainly upgraded the appearance, and the new X5 4.8is looks terrific with its 20-inch wheels and sporty design cues.

BMW takes a traditional no-nonsense approach to the X5’s interior. A layered dashboard presents crystal-clear instrumentation, and high-quality materials are the rule. Controls on the steering wheel, as well as dashboard buttons and knobs, provide access to all functions and features.

The BMW X5 3.0i has a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine making 225 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a five-speed automatic is available as a no-cost option. The company’s xDrive all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain is standard.

Given that an X5 weighs about 2,200 kilograms (4,650 pounds), you’re probably going to want the X5 4.4i, which is equipped with a 315-hp 4.4-litre V8 engine. It comes standard with a six-speed automatic and xDrive.

For the best performance, choose the X5 4.8is. Its 4.8-litre V8 supplies healthy power specs of 355 hp and gets the power to ground through a six-speed automatic, xDrive, and huge 20-inch wheels wrapped in performance-oriented tires. It also gets a sport suspension and bigger brakes to get this version of the X5 quickly hauled down from speed.

BMW uses a four-wheel-independent suspension in the X5, with an available air suspension with automatic rear leveling. It offers 18 centimetres of ground clearance, which does limit the SUV’s capability off-road. But the X5 is most rewarding when driven on pavement.

The X5 drives more like a sports sedan than a sports utility vehicle, especially when equipped with one of the V8 engines. It is exceptionally stable at speed, a good thing since a 4.8is can nearly reach 240 kilometres per hour. But in spite of its sharp, precise steering and faithful brakes, there’s no getting around the X5’s hefty curb weight and taller centre of gravity when the road ahead is twisty instead of straight.

If you’re looking for utility combined with maximum driving pleasure, you’re better off with a BMW 5 Series wagon.

Fuel economy ranges from 14.7 to 15.9 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 9.9 to 10.4 on the highway, depending on the powertrain selected.

As is typical of a German luxury vehicle, the BMW X5 has firm, supportive seats designed for all-day comfort instead of temporary, mushy plushness. There is plenty of room for four people, with room for a fifth when needed.

Cargo capacity, however, is paltry for such a large vehicle. This SUV holds just 464 litres of luggage behind the backseat and up to 1,549 litres of cargo with the backseat folded down. These figures are less than the BMW 5 Series wagon.

Standard equipment highlights include 17-inch wheels, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, remote keyless entry, and automatic dual-zone climate control with air conditioning. The X5 4.4i is equipped with 18-inch wheels, leather seats, a power panoramic sunroof, and an air suspension with rear self-leveling. The X5 4.8is gets the most powerful engine, larger brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels, and heated rear seats.

Every BMW X5 has antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, and a full complement of airbags including dual front-impact, side-impact for the front and rear seats, and side curtain. Upgrades include a BMW Assist system offering automatic collision notification and an SOS emergency call button, and visibility aids include available parking sensors and a set of adaptive headlights that swivel with the steering to help drivers see around corners.

As far as crash-test ratings go, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2005 X5 5-star ratings in all but side-impact protection for the driver. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the X5 as Good in the moderate-overlap frontal-impact test, but the seats and head restraints are rated Poor.

Expensive and inefficient, a BMW X5 is not a cost-effective way to carry five people and cargo. And with just 18 centimetres of ground clearance, it’s not terribly capable off-road, either. As nice as this sport utility vehicle is, and as good as it is to drive, the BMW X5 exists for just one reason: You want an SUV, not a station wagon.

Note: Images show a US model.