FearLess Posted April 2, 2019 Posted April 2, 2019 (edited) All-new, 4th-gen luxury crossover gains technology, safety features, and amenities Choice of new 6- or 8-cylinder turbo engines at launch, with plug-in hybrid coming Price starts at $60,700 plus destination Ever since it was introduced nearly two decades ago, the BMW X5 has bristled at the notion of being called a sport utility vehicle, or SUV. From the start, BMW called it an “SAV” – that’s for “Sports Activity Vehicle,” thank you very much. And since its introduction for the 2000 model year, the X5 has lived up to that nomenclature. Compared to rivals like the Acura MDX, Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLE (formerly, the M-Class), this German luxury hauler has indeed felt more athletic, more nimble, more... well, BMW-like. Unexpected off-road capability Truth be told, we weren’t that surprised about the X5’s athletic on-road manners that reminded us more of a 5 Series sedan than your typical SUV. It was the next stage of our test-drive that most impressed, one that showed off the X5’s newfound off-highway capability. While the outgoing X5 could handle some light trails, climbing and clambering over muck and various terrain were not its strengths. A few years ago, when we took one out for such an adventure, we dragged the bottom front end on a moderately angled mogul. We can still hear that scraping sound. The only model provided to U.S. journalists for the X5’s global media launch in Atlanta was the 6-cylinder xDrive40i, and while we would have loved to prod the V8, even this 6-cylinder proved to be more than enough. And in reality, this is the engine that will power most models, as BMW reps say this will be the volume model for the brand. Like all X5s, including those for export, it is built just one state away in South Carolina at BMW’s massive Spartanburg plant. We’ve already noted that with a 5.3-second 0-60 mph time, the new X5 is quick. Considering this X5’s weight of over 4,800 pounds, this is no mean feat. Yet for its sizable mass, the X5 feels lithe and athletic. Various drive modes, ranging from Eco Pro and Comfort to Sport and Sport Plus, tailor the characteristics of BMW’s midsize SUV to the preference at hand. Changing the settings truly changes the nature of the vehicle. Edited April 3, 2019 by -Dark* Closed
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