New BMW X5 review, road test

It’s the best X5 yet and local assembly has made it better value too.

Published on Oct 08, 2014 12:38:00 PM

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New BMW X5

Optional wheels look stunning but the low pro tyres make the ride rock-hard.

Harman Kardon audio system comes as standard; sounds great.

Navigation is capable of rendering 3D images of surrounding buildings.

So while BMW has successfully focussed on making this new X5 more luxurious, the way it drives has always been the X5’s stock-in-trade. And the good news is that it’s a much better car to drive now. It still feels surefooted when pushed hard, belying its tall proportions. Apart from the lofty driving position, nothing gives away the fact that you’re driving a two-tonne SUV. The new electric steering is quick to respond and the X5 turns sharply into corners.

The tight body control means that body roll is well-controlled even by sedan standards. Since the xDrive system always sends a minimum of 60 percent power to the rear wheels (going up to 100 percent), the X5 feels distinctly rear-driven. Adjustable dampers, a self-levelling rear suspension and electronic damper control are all standard and play no small part in enhancing the X5’s dynamic repertoire.

The weight savings BMW has gained with lightweight materials have been offset with lavish use of sound-deadening materials that coat the front bulkhead and wheel housings. Further insulating the occupants from the road are the new 7-series-based seats that filter out disturbances, and a revised suspension that irons out smaller bumps better.

Our test car wore the optional but incredibly striking 21-inch wheels with wider and much lower 30-profile Pirelli P Zero rubber that, frankly, feel out of place over our roads. The ultra-thin sidewalls seriously corrupted the ride quality, which is very firm at best and pretty harsh under most situations. Sharp edges and broken roads would crash through, spoiling the ambience within the cabin even on the softest Comfort setting. Forget about the looks; just stick to the standard 18-inch wheels with chunkier 255/55 rubber which will significantly improve ride comfort.