When BMW stretched the X5 seven inches (starting with the 2007 models), it did wonders for rear passenger room. Space is now competitive with the roomiest mid-sized luxury SUVs. A five-foot, nine-inch rear passenger has inches of headroom to spare, and enough legroom to stretch feet up under the front seat (assuming the driver is six feet or less). There's a reasonable array of accoutrements for rear passengers, too, including vents, a power point and small storage bin on the back of the center console. There's also temperature control and a fan switch on models so equipped. The dropdown center rear armrest offers no cupholders or storage, but it reveals the optional, locking pass-through port for long items such as skis or fly rods.
Cargo space still ranks at or near the bottom of the class. There is nearly 22 cubic feet for stuff behind the second seat: about the same as the trunk in a large sedan, though the space is tipped up on its end, with a much smaller load floor. Adding the optional third-row seat expands passenger capacity to seven, but it also eliminates most of that cargo space. BMW claims adults up to five-feet, four-inches tall will be comfortable in the third row, though we can't verify that from experience.
A standard cargo blind opens and retracts over the carpeted area behind the second seat, which features several tie-down points and a rail system that accommodates slide-out accessories offered by BMW dealers. The rear seat backs fold forward easily, but not completely flat, so there a slight change in the angle of t?BMWX5�Interior??? ???? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ??????????? ?? ? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?? ???? ? ????? ??? ??? ???? ?????????????? ???? ????? ????? ?????????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ???????????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ?????????? ??? ?? ?? ????????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ?????????? ??????? ????? ??? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ? ???? ??? ?? ? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ????????? ??????????????�?????????????A?The BMW X5's calling card isn't off-road capability or cargo capacity. It's driving dynamics. This sport-utility isn't quite as refined or holistic as BMW's best sedans, but the comparison is generally on the mark. Think of the X5 as a 5 Series sedan with more headroom and a bit more cargo space.
For 2009, BMW X5 gets some changes in nomenclature that has no bearing on the vehicles themselves. All three X5 models officially add xDrive to the name, reflecting the marketing label for BMW's fulltime all-wheel drive system, which was already standard equipment. For example, the entry model is now called the BMW X5 xDrive30i, while the V8 model is called the xDrive48i. Hey, don't blame us, we are merely the messengers here.
More significant is introduction of the X5 xDrive35d, with a slick new diesel engine that's as clean as any of its gasoline counterparts. The diesel improves mileage nearly 25 percent compared to the six-cylinder X5 xDrive30i, yet it accelerates more quickly and tows more. This is the same diesel engine offered in the 2009 BMW 3 Series sport sedan, but we like this engine more in the X5.
The X5 emphasizes the sport half of the sport-utility equation, even with the diesel engine. While it offers more utility than ever, it comes up short in cargo-passenger flexibility compared to many luxury SUVs. As opposed to hauling acres of equipment and gear, the X5 provides the equipment enthusiast drivers expect when they want to enjoy the art of driving as much as they're able. Just plan to travel light.
All three X5 engines deliver plenty of usable torque for good acceleration. The gasoline engines also feature turbine-like smoothness. The 4.8-liter V8 in the xDrive48i is the chest-beater, but the inline six-cylinder in the xDrive30i still delivers the kind of response we expect in a sports sedan, and it shouldn't leave owners pining for the V8.
The X5 is styled in obvious BMW fashion, only taller, with traditional Bimmer cues like the twin-kidney grille and dual-beam headlight clusters. Inside, it offers plenty of room for five, with a nice, rich finish and nearly all the bells and whistles one expects in a high-line luxury sedan. The back seat is more than roomy enough for two adults, three in a pinch, and there's enough cargo space in back for a two-day family outing. The X5 can expand to seven-passenger capacity with an optional third-row seat, but that third seat won't look particularly inviting to anyone asked to ride in it, and it wipes out the cargo space.
The X5 is not a traditional SUV. BMW shuns the SUV tag entirely,describing the X5 with it own copyrighted label: Sport Activity Vehicle, or SAV. With all seats lowered for maximum cargo capacity, it offers less space than do most competitors, from Acura to Volvo. The gas-powered models aren't class leaders in fuel economy. And Sport in the X5 context does not mean off-road capability. The xDrive all-wheel-drive system was developed for slippery roads and sporty driving characteristics rather than sand dunes and rutted hillsides. Indeed, the X5's strength is its ability to get down the road in the step-on-the gas, shove-through-corners fashion of a genuine sports sedan.
Yet the X5 can tow a substantial 6,000 pounds, and the all-wheel-drive can be a great friend in a blizzard. Those sound like the credentials of an SUV.
The X5 gets high marks for safety. It performs well in both government and insurance industry crash tests, and it has been designated one of the Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.?BMWX5�Lineup???? ? ? ??? ?? ????? ?? ????? ??????????? ????????? ? ??? ?????????????? ?????? ??? ???? ? ????????? ????????? ???????????? ??? ???????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ??? ?? ??????? ? ?????? ? ?? ??????? ?? ? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ?????? ?????????? ?? ??????????? ?? ????? ???? ???????he load floor created. The bottom cushion for the rear seats can be removed completely, as a single piece. That levels the load floor, but then you have to find a place for the seat bottom.
Even with cargo space maximized, the X5 offers less capacity than most competitors. With 75.2 cubic feet available, the X5 is surpassed by the Acura MDX (83.5), the Volvo XC90 (93.2) and a host of others. There is some additional storage under the X5's load floor, enough for a tool kit or a six pack, in the bin with the temporary spare. Next Page