2014 BMW X5 - TestDriveNow.Com review by the auto critic Steve Hammes
When you got a good thing going and the BMW X5 has been going good for almost 15 years you don t mess with it not fundamentally what is right to keep what works and change things to improve the overall package .
This is the 2014 X5 updated, but in a way that aren t threatening the basic idea or even immediately apparent.
Then you notice the upticked power of the V-8 option, the improved mileage diesel edge of the lower curb weight nearly four inches of additional front seat height.
The X5 is BMW midsize crossover emphasizes the SUV sport.
Unlike the majority of these vehicles on the market, the X5 is based on a pattern of rear-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive set as in the case of superficially similar competing models like the Acura MDX, Cadillac SRX Audi Q7 and Lexus RX.
More particularly, X5 can be controlled as RWD, and a wheel drive system.
In addition, BMW offers high torque and the diesel engine option relatively less thirst in the X5, as well as the option of a gasoline V-8 high performance.
Rates of 14 to 52 800 to begin X5 RWD sDrive 35i, 35i 55 000 for xDrive AWD equipped above and out to 68.200 for the V-8 powered and equipped AWD xDrive 5 0i.
A diesel engine with standard AWD starts X535d 56,600.
Cross Primary stores include the base price ML Mercedes 47900 Class and the base price Porsche Cayenne 49600 Both models also are based on set RWD although the Cayenne comes only in diesel engines offer form AWD and in the case Porsche, handling finesse on the road in addition to a degree of off-road capability, but both are a bit smaller than the X5 and offers third-row seat that makes the BMW.
14 X5 gets a number of changes and updates, including exterior and interior revised looks and layout with several inches frontline head room The diesel engine available is now paired with eight-speed transmission replacing less efficient six-speed automatic in the last year of nominal turbo diesel output is down a bit now 255 hp vs 265 years final, but preliminary reports BMW statements out of the record having the 14 x35D deliver better than 13 s so-so 16 city, 22 highway.
The output of the 4-gas Option 4 liter V-8, meanwhile, has been goosed to 450 hp from 400 last year.
High-tech features include active steering assistance and support Bottling both involving the car is part of the car driver work for you many customization packages are available too.
Sportier than most, including the most awkward and trucky handling Benz M-Class.
Range of six to eight engines, gas and diesel.
Dear 5kmore to start than RWD ML350 3200 to start more than a Cayenne with AWD 5,300 more than the base last year X5 came standard with AWD.
Diesel engine is only a handful of MPGs more fuel than Sippy city gasoline engine and mileage of the gasoline engine road is actually better than diesel s at least, diesel last year; with new, more energy-automatic fuel, diesel 14 road numbers eight-speed is expected before nose.
The X5 is one of a dwindling number of BMW vehicles come standard with BMW's still iconic and unique in the motor segment six-cylinder in passenger cars from BMW, les six is replaced by a new more efficient turbo But four fuel a heavy vehicle like the X5, the additional movement and abundant low-end torque asset considerations on gasoline consumption has never been a strong point of the superb BMW if not six.
Unlike the three 5-liter V-6 in the Benz ML and 3 6-liter V-6 in the base Cayenne, BMW 3 0 is the six liter turbo line D Twice The result is 300 hp exactly the same Cayenne that Porsche's 300 hp and almost dead heat with 302 hp, but the turbo straight six makes more torque 300 feet -lbs against 273 for Benz and 295 feet -lbs Benz for courtesy and Porsche torque BMW turbo is available sooner the maximum number is produced at 1300 rpm vs. 3500 rpm for the non-turbo V-6 naturally aspirated in the Mercedes and 3,000 rpm for the non-turbo also V-6 Porsche.
RWD version of X5 obtained in about 6 to 60 2 seconds, faster by about half a second the ML and cayenne and fast base period for a vehicle with an empty weight approaching 5,000 pounds Again, the credit two turbochargers, which improve the torque and make it available literally right away as 1300 peak RPM is just idle RPM above in other words, when you wait for the light to go green, the BMW engine ready with a maximum torque champing the bit when a vehicle like the Cayenne and M-Class, it takes a little longer to reach their oats.
With the option 4 of 4 liter V-8, power is now up to 450 hp 50 hp bump over last year's because it is four 4-liter V-8, and 10 more than you have when you ordered the optional M Sport package 440 hp So equipped, the 0-60 race is reached in less than 5 seconds out V-8 Cayenne race 5 and 6 seconds Benz ML550 5 3 seconds but not, of course, Ludicrous speed ML63 AMG offers 550 hp and tearing asphalt April 5 seconds to 60 of course, that kind of speed costs money the base price of the ML63 AMG is the last 97,250 years of analog X5 M cost ML63 AMG Interestingly simple 89775 less than the improved Benz AMG.
This is the only iteration of the X5 can be said and that was last year's model.
At the time of writing, there was no official information on the M version of the X5 14 But do not worry, it's in the works BMW usually staggers release dates to keep things fresh Wait Involved in the M version of the new X5 be unveiled this summer or fall.
Another option is the X5 turbodiesel 3-liter engine, which is then matched with the same automatic engine comes with either eight-speed gas and xDrive AWD standard This engine torque heroic lions to 413 ft lot -lbs more than 3 0 the gas engine and within range of V-8 Performance gas engine with this engine is very good 0-60 in about 6 8 seconds dead heat with diesel Benz BlueTec and more than a little faster than the Porsche Cayenne 7 propulsion diesel 2 seconds.
This engine with all that low-end grunt is ideal for towing a trailer, if it's on your task list However, the maximum 6,000 pounds the X5 ratting is well below the 7,200 lb. The maximum score of Benz ML This is another example of wild, chinned thatched nature of the Benz.
The crossover SUV layout is inherently a compromise layout highest out of the posture ground almost inevitably leads to a higher non-ideal center of gravity to cut the carpet Still, people want their crossovers to not be awkward in corners while the time being at least better than average when there's snow on the ground and maybe even no pavement under the rubber.
It is difficult to reconcile these criteria, it's like waiting for the Costa Concordia to put a penny to bits and we know what happened there.
But the X5 based RWD has an inherent advantage, wise handling, not having its center of mass mainly hanging over the front wheels as in the case of a pull-based layout before, with a pull chain transaxle motor as an in-line six, RWD layouts are more balanced in nature; the powertrain weight is more evenly distributed which is what you want if the object is more capacity in the corners of the RWD bias power distribution rear wheels are the primary drive wheels also helps the weight transfer and thus the traction anywhere cornering at high speeds, keeping the back planted firmly it also leaves the front wheels free to do their main job is to steer the vehicle without trying to pull it toward the before.
The provision FWD, in its defense, is inherently advantageous if the object is clawing your way up an alley of snow smoothed due to the weight of the powertrain by pressing the drive wheels.
But for sporty driving, a RWD-based layout is always preferable.
And performance driving is the main objective X5 Although it can be ordered with xDrive AWD and no longer mounts a car is pushed pleasure on the road instead of having off-road Much more than the Benz ML which is biased in the opposite direction Although X5 can be controlled with a dynamic handling package that includes an automatically self-adjusting suspension and active anti-roll bars they also self-setting depending on the conditions of the Benz offers a set of tow trucks, six modes of selection of the relief, skid plates under the body available and the Big one case of two-speed transfer with 4WD low range This gearing function gives the Benz serious off-road capability that BMW missing.
But in the corners and on the sidewalk X5 is the ML as an F-18 is an Airbus.
The new X5 is about two inches wider and about 200 pounds lighter There are just under guard at ground 8 2 inches now against 8 3 last year, which was done as part of a effort to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle at the speed of the new model is slightly wider through the hips 76 inches against 3 inches as 76 1 There are also subtle cosmetic changes to the grille and the face and the functional gills on two sides, turning the turbulent air flow smoothly over the wheelwells before, but these are not dramatic changes You should look for noticing.
What is dramatic is nearly 4 inches March 9 inches, to be precise first additional line height that's been cut is now 40 vs 36 5 6 inches last year This makes the X5 much larger 14 friendly person even when equipped with the panoramic sunroof rearseat legroom remains the same as last year 36 6 inches, which is pretty legs and knees to be comfortable for most adults BMW continues to offer the option of a third row, a feature not available in the Benz ML for this you need to switch to more expensive more GL class, which has a base price, or 63000 5 only Porsche Cayenne seats.
The X5 also has two rooms carefully designed the tailgate folding top up like a conventional tailgate fact, with a bottom that folds much like the way they did in the breaks 70-time folded down, you have a little table, a place to have a place to put things a bed extension as it makes them easier loading things and makes it possible to load more things, too much total cargo capacity is 66 cubic well 80 shy of 3 cubes in the Benz ML But again, apples courses for horses and oranges the Benz is more of a utility vehicle.
The dashboard layout is an interesting mix of cluster The main classical and modern indicator is simple analog speedometer digital look, Tach backlit secondary gauges all orange to the right of the main platform is a large LCD screen 10 25 inch shifted driver here you will find scrolling through menus and screens for different systems, including navigation and audio X5 you can dial a sport display that shows you, in real time, engine torque and hp output one time and not a X5s with xDrive and yaw display that shows you and tells you your angles and tilts you call what you want via a rotary iDrive button and click to the right of the shifter.
Over the years, BMW has much improved intuitiveness of its inputs and the latest generation iDrive is to get most of the time and go You will need a little time to understand what all is because there are many its there but once you do, access to use is quite simple.
The only beef I have is with the gear selector for the eight-speed automatic is a plastic rocker Game Boy style without mechanical connection or a feeling of being connected to the transmission to something very high technology, but also feel completely dead to get Drive, you pull out; The reversal is the opposite to the park, press a small button on top of the stem feel that it is very difficult to know what you just chose It's no tactile feedback, as you d get with a selector classic Maybe I geezing speed here, but to me a car or sport utility vehicle is a machine a mechanical device not an iPad.
As already mentioned, the mileage numbers for the diesel X5 are not available when this review was written in early 2014 The new eight-speed automatic should improve the overall efficiency of the powertrain and ditto there is less dry to lug around now, it is also likely that the 14 diesel X5 will be able to break 30 on the road against 26 to 13 and 27 to 14 with the gas engine 3 0.
But even if there is no huge increase MPGs, the thing to keep in mind when considering diesel vs 3 0 petrol engine is unlike almost trivial A xDrive35i price list for the 55,000 xDrive35d, 56600 It its simple 1600 switch to diesel.
This means it won t take years to work out redemption costs through lower fuel bills Mercedes DOE also snot hit you too hard to buy in diesel; for some reason, it is cars and trucks where they con you as a bookmaker Vegas for a diesel.
On the other hand, gas inline six is such an ideal powertrain for this sport utility vehicle, it is difficult to praise the diesel In the Benz ML, the BlueTec diesel available makes all kinds of sense low-end torque and 4 low-wheel drive go together like Elvis and overalls sequined But the X5 is cut from different tissues.
The fly in the soup is higher than the price you X5 especially compared to last year and also the Porsche Cayenne, which can match moves with the X5 on the road and is set up to be a little more able off-road, if it ever comes to that, but the new X5 is faster unless you go to theTurbo Cayenne and even, it is not by much and no matter how much money you throw at Porsche, they haven peace t have a third row Cayenne and Mercedes for you there is nothing wrong with it is an admirable vehicle if you aren t much interested in driving.
Give em what need with what they need it's been a winning formula for the X5 so far, I think it will continue to be even with the sticker shock that comes as standard equipment now.
Eric I just bought a Lexus GX470 2004 to replace the Civic lemon I do a little maintenance from the previous owner jumped timing belt ouch, but so far I like it a lot.
If you were to look at the new version of the GX460, it is in the same price range as some trim levels X-5, but it comes with a great V8 Toyota, not six And it's body on chassis construction, with true low range and locking center differential It also comes with adjustable rear air suspension, to maintain your standard SUV for towing If you want to transport a larger boat than a skiff, you want something like that.
While mine was being developed, I was given a loaner of RX350 It is very luxurious effect, but it is weighted too far at the end of the sport of things, he was well on the streets of the city slightly firm but not too serious but when I got on the highway, the combined business trip with short wheelbase has turned into a carnival ride pitching maybe there was a way to adjust the response valve shock via the touch screen, but I could not find.
In addition, the RX was the blind-spot warning system Lexus death, and while it is no substitute for properly adjusted mirrors, it didn t suck as bad as I thought I won t pay that they're asking, but if a used car I bought was, I would not t be upset.
It can not be a spartan military vehicle but it is done in Spartan-burg SC, just an hour by Charlotte I-85.
It is the competence center for BMW X models in which they also produce the BMW X6 and BMW X3 BMW X4 They build there also to supply markets worldwide.
These BMW X5s began to be sold in Germany in November 2013.
BMW announces Werks ultimative Fahrmaschinein in Spartanburg in 1992.
Together, ladies and gentlemen we're going to South Carolina auto famous worldwide.
Not a single comment on this extremely impressive and expensive Why vehicle.
The X5 is fast, beautiful IMO, and has good road raw capacity given the way it manages and handles well for a beast with a good gross drive capacity.
The problem is that, like any crossover, the X5 is a grumbling compromise is the right compromise for buyers who place a huge premium on the image.
A buyer spending all this money for something that can not go hard off road, such as a Toyota Land Cruiser and can t burn the road this high performance Caddy Wagon.
Depending on what the customer really wants to do it so many better investment than the X5, and the other is ilk.
If I buy a car in this category, I will not look very hard at BMW and other luxury car manufacturers.
I'll watch manufacturers whose strong is manufacturing commercial vehicles off-road vehicles for this category, I want an ethics Spartan military vehicle as the first jeeps and Land Rover.
Luxury in this class of vehicle is like going away in Gucci loafers instead of Cabelas hunting boots.
I can not blame your analysis, Mike, but the thing is selling quite well there are people who want such compromises our vehicles in perspective mainly, I think, because unlike us, they lead with particular gusto on the road and not very far off road risk they want status and be fashionable.
I ride on vehicles like this all the time when I'm driving my not-far-from-20-year compact pickup with 4-cylinder engine and the pace is glacial compared to me, I pass them as they re still standing half the time and yet they have two or more power and much higher processing capacity and could literally walk away from me without really trying if they wanted.
Review of the 2014 BMW X5, review 2014 good bumpy road, a good hard drive capacity.