The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by BMW. The X5 made its debut in 1999 as the E53 model. It was BMW's first SUV. BMW marketed the X5 officially as a "Sports Activity Vehicle" (SAV), rather than an SUV, to indicate its on-road handling capability despite its large dimensions.
EnI
Piston Pioneer
No, it's my personal remark. Sure the X5 isn't the sportiest SUV in the class - Cayenne is even sportier. Nor is the most comfortable - ML offers more comfort for sure. But be sure X5 delivers a best mix of both worlds - with RR Sport coming very close second.
The reason why X5 got so little points in the off-roading category is its lack of adaptive air suspension - and there fore on-demand higher ground clearance etc when needed. With fixed suspension the X5's ground clearance, approach / departure / ramp angles are lower than the ones of ML & Cherokee (both featuring adaptive air suspension). X5 also features lowest wade depth due to lower location of air intakes.
BMW obviously know its customers. The vast majority of them buy X5 for on-road drive. Extremely small number of X5 owners use the car for serious off-roading. Sure the car is appropriate for some forest roads, meadow drive-through etc but definitely not suitable for a hill climbing or deep-water / deep-snow drive-through.
It's an urban SAV. SAV, not SUV. That's the whole point of X5. It has never been a serious off-roader, and that haven't hurt its sales success a bit. People obviously like X5 for what it is, and buy it for what it is. Want a better off-roader? Pick some other SUV. RR perhaps. Or even ML.
klier
Premium
We'll see more of that, considering the ever expanding product line. You simply lose focus when you have a bazillion new models in development.
EnI
Piston Pioneer
Read the test first ... then comment. Just a friendly advice. The devil is always in detail.
No, it's my personal remark. Sure the X5 isn't the sportiest SUV in the class - Cayenne is even sportier. Nor is the most comfortable - ML offers more comfort for sure. But be sure X5 delivers a best mix of both worlds - with RR Sport coming very close second.
I can't agree that the RR Sport is playing second fiddle to the X5 for very obvious reasons. lol
Whilst I do agree no one knows their buying public better I don't agree this is the only way, two examples the Cayenne and RR Sport both seem to offer both without any compromise. By the sound of it you are saying BMW took the easy and cheaper option to disregarded its off-road ability simply because they know the majority of their buying public won't need it.
I might never use the RR Sport's off-road prowess but I like to know its still there if the need ever calls for it.
Based on what I now know from that test I think this won't be the last time the X5 suffers in a comparison because its unfortunate journalists don't really see the distinction between SAV and SUV, all they see is an off-roader.
EnI
Piston Pioneer
Yes, it did. But only due to bad off-road capabilities like poor ground clearance & poor angles & poor wade depth when compared to ML & Grand Cherokee.
Usually such magazine test do not focus on such extreme off-road qualities when it comes to urban luxury SUVs/SAVs (mind the test is from AutoBild allrad magazine which focuses on off-roading & off-road qualities & characteristics of tha SUVs / SAVs). When they do, X5 always performs poorly. That's not a secret nor even a news. Yet when the test is all about the on-road qualities (incl on-road AWD usability: eg on wet, icy or snowy road) X5 usually shines. And so it did this time in this test. Also nothing new here.
As said: the devil was in detail. X5 lost points & the victory merely due to poor off-roading features (ground clearance, angles, wade depth). Even without reading the text: check the scoreboard (Allrad / Geländeeigenscahften) & the sketches showing ground clearance, angles, wade depth etc.
Even the test summary says: "Klarer Fall: Für den reinen Strasseneinsatz ist der teure BMW dar Beste: schneller, agiler, sparsamer, und dennoch ausreichend komfortabel." (= "It's obvious: the pricey BMW is the best for the sheer on-road driving: it's fast, agile, efficient, and still sufficently comfortable.")
Nobody denies X5's poor off-roading qualities. and nobody denies X5 came in the last place in that AutoBild Allrad test. But people should know WHY did that happen.
I'm not sure what are your intentions & conclusions here ... Implying X5 sucks in general because in cam in the last place in that specific test???
EnI
Piston Pioneer
The test was published in the AutoBild Allrad magaizine - a magazine specialized for the off-roading, and therefore the tests there are also about serious off-roading. Something X5 has never been capable of. And customers know that. If somebody wants a capable off-roader he / she does not buy an X5. And obviously 100+k people per year don't want / need a serious off-raoder. The ones who do, they opt for other brand.
SCOTT27
Lap Time Luminary
The lack off road ability has never harmed the sales of the X5. Customers know that they are getting the most car orientated SAV which was specifically developed for on road rather than off road. That is why these credentials remain intact and in case of the F15 progress further.
But I would say the all round ability of the new Range Rover has changed the perspective and that journalists expect every vehicle to provide that equal amount of aptitude.
But as I said it does not affect sales as the new X5 is flying out of showrooms. If your order an X5 today you will not get delivery until Spring 2014, that is how well the new model has impacted on the market.
I do not think the X7 will be anything different nor will the X6. That will be more road orientated than before, they have done some extensive work on the new X6 as they have with the X4.
But I would say the all round ability of the new Range Rover has changed the perspective and that journalists expect every vehicle to provide that equal amount of aptitude.
But as I said it does not affect sales as the new X5 is flying out of showrooms. If your order an X5 today you will not get delivery until Spring 2014, that is how well the new model has impacted on the market.
I do not think the X7 will be anything different nor will the X6. That will be more road orientated than before, they have done some extensive work on the new X6 as they have with the X4.
EnI
Piston Pioneer
I've just explained to readers here WHY X5 came in the last place in the off-roading specialized magazine. If you call that spinning then be it.
So what you are saying is Landrover have made their RR Sport more road capable without sacrificing its off-road ability, which suggests they made more of an effort developing their car compared to BMW with their X5, was this exactly what I was saying a few posts back.
P.S.
Not sure I would entirely agree its the most car oriented out of the bunch if you mean handling ability and everything, but maybe you meant least capable off-road which definitely would make it most car like. (Joke with a jag) lol
chonkoa
Aerodynamic Artisan
EnI
Piston Pioneer
Mr. Mercedes
Premium
Saw a white one hurtling down the freeway yesterday. The first time I've seen it in the metal, and my my did it look the business. Properly muscular like an X5 should be and makes the ML look a bit effete.
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BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, abbreviated as BMW is a German multinational
manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
The company was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced
from 1917 to 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.
Official website: BMW (Global), BMW (USA)
Official website: BMW (Global), BMW (USA)
