By Alex Kramer

Pros:

• Dual-turbocharged 6 cylinder diesel engine = tons of torque
• Impressive handling for a 5,100 pound SUV
• Excellent fuel efficiency
• Well-appointed, spacious interior

Cons:

• Annoying throttle lag, especially at low speeds
• iDrive interface is still clumsy and confusing
• Steep $68,000 sticker price

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By R. Myint

Pros

• Handling
• Power
• Styling

Cons

• Cargo Capacity
• Lack of rear hitch
• Fuel mileage

Recipe for adventure:

Take 3 adults 3 bikes, and 3 days of mountain biking in Downieville, California. Add biking gear, camping gear and 2 full coolers. Place all items in the Ultimate Driving Machine, the BMW X5, and shake well. Cook the X5 over miles of freeway and twisty mountain roads for 6 hours and enjoy. Repeat as necessary for a fulfilling sensation that is tasty as a warm chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven.
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By Holly R.

• Head-up display is a gem, and should be included on every single car in the U.S.
• Given it’s size (and mine) I had no trouble at all seeing out of the car, on ANY side
• Bluetooth® is really easy to program
• Brilliant use of the interior space for cubbyholes and storage spaces
• X5 is really fun to drive and the 350hp 4.8L V8 engine is a monster
• The V8 has its disadvantages however: gas mileage was really bad @ 14.6 mpg
• The seats had nice features, but I was unable to get comfortable in them
• Given it’s size, the interior size seemed much smaller than it should be
• Whoa! Sticker shock if you choose all the options

First Impressions:
I actually had quite a few first impressions. “Oh my God, it’s gorgeous.” “Wow, I get to drive a BMW!”. “This is a really BIG vehicle!”, but nothing compares to actually driving one. The X5 4.8i has a snarling 350-horsepower V8 engine, yet it’s stylish, technologically advanced, sexy and has some really great features. At first I thought it was snarling at me (it sounded like it was growling when accelerating), but I found it was actually snarling at the other cars on the road. “Pass me, I dare you.”
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