2007 BMW X5
Cox News Service
February 23, 2007
Luxury puts on a pair of hiking boots with the newly redesigned BMW X5 sports activity vehicle. The result is a fashion risk that pays off handsomely.
 Photo by BMW
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BMW X5 | |
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ABOUT THE 2007 BMW X5:
Body style: Midsize SUV
Trim lines: 3.0si, 4.8i
Price: $46,595-$55,195
Drive: All-wheel
Seating: T>wo in front, three in rear (optional third row seats two)
Engine: 3-liter six cylinder, 4.8-liter V-8
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Miles per gallon of fuel: 17-city, 23-highway
WHAT'S SPECIAL: This SUV has performance that compares favorably with BMW's sports cars. It handles nimbly, and the 4.8-liter V-8 engine kicks out an impressive 350 horsepower and 350 pounds-feet of torque. The X5 also comes with a 3-liter straight six-cylinder engine that makes 260 horsepower and 225 pounds-feet of torque.
WHAT WE LIKE: This is one of the smoothest-riding SUVs you could hope to encounter. On roads, it was agile and consistent. And though it's not really a hard-core off-road vehicle, it performed remarkably well on BMW's challenging off-road course.
WHAT ISN'T THERE: A drastic departure from the look of the previous X5. By its appearance, this version is pretty darn similar. But the changes BMW made are about substance, not style. It's a little larger, more powerful and more versatile.
YOU OUGHTA KNOW: BMW has made all-wheel drive standard on the X5, and its suspension is marvelous, both of which contribute to its great ride characteristics. Whether you're negotiating the mean cul de sacs of your subdivision or some twisty country roads, the responsiveness of the X5 is confidence-inspiring. Bumps in the road are taken on almost as an afterthought, and the X5 kicks into high speed quite willingly.
EXTRAS: The luxury factor of the X5 has been turned up a notch. The 3.0si, which comes with the six-cylinder engine, has an elegance that is not often found in SUVs. It also offers such features as dual-zone climate control and rain-sensing wipers. If you upgrade to the 4.8i with the V-8 engine, you get walnut wood trim standard. The X5 also now offers an optional third row of seats. It's tight back there, but it's easily accessible.
AND ANOTHER THING: It's hard to keep up with all the option packages available. But check out features like the backup-assist camera and the rear entertainment system.
