See all Motoring NewsThis is the all-new, fourth-generation BMW X5.
It's little surprise that the physically larger-than-its-predecessor X5 Mk4 (+36mm longer, +66mm wider, +19mm taller and +42mm stretched in the wheelbase) bears much of BMW's latest design themes - such as the huge kidney grilles up front and slim light clusters all round - nor that it looks much like an enlarged version of the third-generation X3, the main difference here being the X5's distinctively-shaped rear lamps. Nevertheless, the fourth-gen X5 looks splendidly chunky and has a few interesting details, like the breathers aft of the front wheels and the side crease line that twists up through the rear door handle. M Sport models, as with every other BMW, gain sportier bodywork and larger alloys (up to 22 inches) to denote their prowess.
The new X5 will continue to offer a seven-seat option (or 5+2), despite the impending arrival of the larger X7 SUV, while it will be one of the first models in BMW's portfolio to get the company's new 'Live Cockpit Professional' dashboard as standard. This consists of two lovely, big 12.3-inch TFT screens, one in the instrument cluster with a fresh, angular design, and the other perched atop the dash for infotainment - which is powered by the latest iDrive 7 software. There's also a new version of BMW Head-Up Display with a larger surface projection to feast your eyes upon. All the usual luxury fittings and options, like ambient air, a panoramic roof, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond 3D surround sound system, leather upholstery and more, will be offered, while there are some interesting practicality touches.
The 645-litre boot, for instance, features an electric luggage cover that can slide itself down two runners to hide itself in the X5's floor where the cargo area meets the base of the rear-seat backrests; so no more struggling to remove a hefty manual item and then storing it somewhere forgettable in your home for months on end. Further, an option in the luggage bay includes four longitudinal rubber strips on the boot floor that marginally inflate once the engine is started, gripping whatever is sitting on top of them - think of this as a fancy alternative to a cargo net.
BMW is going to launch the X5 in four variants, badged xDrive40i, xDrive50i, xDrive30d and then M50d. One of these, the 4.4-litre, 462hp V8 '50i', will not be coming to Europe and we also reckon the mighty quad-turbo M50d (400hp/760Nm) is likely to be minority interest in these parts, so we can concentrate on the 40i and 30d variants. The former uses a petrol-powered twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six, delivering 340hp and 450Nm. It can hit 100km/h from rest in 5.5 seconds and run on to 243km/h, with fuel consumption of 8.5 litres/100km (33.2mpg) and 193g/km of CO2. The X5 xDrive30d also uses a twin-scroll turbo and an inline-six 3.0-litre unit, this time running on diesel, with outputs of 265hp and 620Nm. It'll do 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds and hit 230km/h flat out, while the green data reads 6.0 litres/100km (47.1mpg) with CO2 emissions as low as 158g/km.
All Mk4 X5s use xDrive four-wheel drive with a revised control system and a rear-axle bias, while they also all employ the eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. Dynamic Damper Control will be standard-fit, with further chassis options including rear-wheel steering, twin-axle air suspension, an Off-Road Package and active anti-roll bars.