![]() ![]() ![]() So not only does the steering not provide any feedback, it’s also not doing what you want it to do. Making a bad situation worse, the automatic-steering safety systems, such as lane keep assist, constantly adjust the wheel in your hands. Its steering ratio is decently quick, which helps the big X5 change direction smartly, but there’s no joy in the driving experience. It’s almost completely numb, with very little in the way of feel or feedback. Braking is also strong I thought it had excellent firmness, plenty of pedal feedback and a confidence-inspiring feel, though a couple of our editors who drove a different xDrive40i cited mushy pedal feel and nonlinearity, possibly associated with the by-wire nature of the braking system. Its acceleration is impressive: BMW reports a zero-to-60-mph sprint of 5.3 seconds, which we believe given the responsiveness of the throttle and the G-forces it generates when pressed. The powertrain isn’t the problem the X5’s base engine is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder pumping out a very healthy 335 horsepower and 330 pounds-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic and featuring standard all-wheel drive. Despite the promise of being the Ultimate Driving Machine - a tagline BMW has used for decades now (and which most enthusiasts decry is no longer applicable to most of the company’s products) - the X5’s driving experience is numb and isolated. The surprise of the new X5 comes behind the wheel. The Land Rover Discovery matches up well against the new BMW, as does the high-spec version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is often cross-shopped against luxury competitors in its high-dollar trim levels.Ģ019 BMW X5 | photo by Aaron Bragman A Very Un-BMW Driving Experience Its competitors look good, too its closest rival is the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, which also received a complete (and very attractive) redo on a new platform, though it will arrive later in 2019 as a 2020 model. A new kick-up in the body-side lines around the rear door adds a little flair to the typical two-box SUV look, but BMW’s stylists did a good job keeping the X5 clean, modern and traditional. The new SUV may be larger than the old one, but the rear-wheel-drive proportions remain the same, as do many styling cues, including the “twin-kidney” oval grille. It’s immediately identifiable as one from a distance, and that’s a good thing. How does the latest X5 stack up? Evolutionary Looks But the world is a tough place, full of worthy competitors. The X5’s mission: Represent the brand in an ever-growing SUV field that continues to replace the traditional sedan for millions of buyers every year, around the world. The BMW is on a new platform for 2019, one shared with the latest BMW 3 Series sedan, as BMW works toward basing all its vehicles off a minimum number of basic structures to improve cost and simplicity. The BMW X5 has been around awhile, but here we have the latest and greatest - a new version that’s grown in every dimension in a quest to go up against the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Lexus RX, Audi Q5, Jaguar F-Pace and a host of other crossover SUVs. If you want something truly sporty, an Alfa Romeo Stelvio or Jaguar F-Pace is more appropriate. ![]() Versus the competition: There are a dozen possibilities in this field, but it’s hard to match the latest 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, with its benchmark interior quality, stunning graphics displays and optional adaptive suspension. The verdict: More spacious, luxurious and comfortable than ever, the latest BMW X5 continues to focus more on luxury than a sporty driving experience. ![]()
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