BMW X5 M50d
Performance diesel wears famous badge
and takes dated SUV out with a bang
More than a decade after the original X5
revolutionized the high-end sporty SUV sector, the second-generation model
continues to be a popular choice.
We've just seen the new X5, but it's not on
sale until November. Until then, the current car soldiers on – and it's showing
its age. It's big and heavy shouldered, although the short overhangs and chunky
body give a purposeful stance on the road.
The
X5 still leads the way when it comes to passenger space
Inside, the dash design and switchgear look
and feel similarly out of date. Still, you get the latest version of BMW's
iDrive cabin control system and a big colour navigation screen. And while the
materials don't look or feel as upmarket as the Porsche's there's no faulting
the solid build quality.
Better still, the X5 still leads the way
when it comes to passenger space. There's plenty of rear legroom and the
combination of a flat floor and a fixed rear bench means it's the better choice
here at carrying three in the back. And while the rear seats don't fold totally
flat, they're not far off, plus there's the option of a third row of seats for
$2,115, turning the car into an occasional seven-seater.
It's easy for drivers to get comfortable,
as there's plenty of adjustment on the steering wheel and seat, and the lofty
perch gives you a commanding view of the road. Yet with its wide arches, the X5
feels like a big car on narrow roads – an issue compounded by the fact that the
suspension and wide tyres follow cambers in the road.
Inside,
BMW’s solidly built, although it doesn’t have Porsche’s special feel and is a
bit dated
And while the steering is initially sharp,
it needs plenty of input – poor self-centering means you end up doing a lot
more twirling of the wheel than you do in the Cayenne.
Overall grip and stability are excellent,
so the X5 retains the secure feel that made it a class leader. It's just that
the Porsche feels smaller, more agile and less heavy – like a precision tool to
the BMW's blunt instrument. At least the $2,475 adaptive dampers help settle
the ride, while the active anti roll-bar technology ensures body control is
excellent.
As with the Porsche, the amount of
performance on offer from the M50d is simply mind boggling – for a car of this
size and weight, it's very fast indeed. The three-stage turbocharged
six-cylinder engine has a linear power delivery, and although there's a little
diesel clatter at low revs, once above 4,000rpm it takes on a more traditional
six-cylinder hum.
Overall
grip and stability are excellent, so the X5 retains the secure feel that made
it a class leader
The low-down torque the engine provides is complemented
by the smooth eight-speed gearbox, while CO2 emission of less than
200g/km are impressive for a car that tips the scales at over two tons and
delivers such amazing performance.
However, the $91,222 M50d is $2,643 more
expensive to buy than the new Porsche, which is disappointing given how it's
starting to feel its age. The next X5 can't come soon enough.
BMW X5 M50d technical specs
·
Price: $91,222
·
Engine:3.0-liter
6cyl, 376bhp
·
0-60mph: 5.5
seconds
·
Test economy:
27.4 mpg/6.5mpl
·
CO2:
199g/km
·
Annual road tax:
$390
·
Why? The X5 was
the first SUV to be truly sporty to drive, and with its combination of power
and low admissions, this M50d version is the performance pick of the range.
Verdict
If you want a large SUV with serious
performance, you no longer have to choose a thirsty petrol car.
Both of our diesel-engined test contenders
here have the mid-range grunt and thrilling acceleration to rival sports cars,
yet they combine this performance with practical interiors, excellent
refinement and relatively low emissions.
Porsche's new Cayenne S Diesel is cheaper
and faster than the X5 M50d, but more importantly it's much better to drive –
with sharper handling and better steering as well as class-leading refinement
and a first-rate cabin.
Plus, many buyers will find the diesel's
subtle styling more appealing than that of the more ostentatious petrol
versions Porsche sells. So the newcomer is our pick of the range.
The X5 still has a lot going for it,
though. Its practical and spacious cabin is a big plus point, and even though
it's showing its age, build quality inside is still strong, too. But it proves
just how much the class has moved on that BMW's former benchmark is now
dynamically outclassed by the newer, better-looking and more upmarket Porsche.
Mixing luxury, practicality, performance
and driver involvement, the Cayenne S Diesel is an SUV star and a deserving
winner in this test.
