The new X5 looks much bolder from the front, compared to the outgoing model
Rear profile might not have major differences in overall stance, but has noticeable changes
It feels at home over imperfect terrain
The new X5 is codenamed as the F15
This is the third generation BMW X5 on sale
Front ends looks wider, thanks to the titanium strip running across the bumper and the larger kidney grille
The X5 is available in two variants; a top of the line xDrive30d Design Pure Experience and a 5-seater Expedition variant
It is a 7-seater SUV, but does not look as big as the Mercedes GL Class does
Rear bumpers also get the titanium mouldings
Road presence is massive, and the car turns a good number of eyeballs on the street
Rear profile sees no addition, only revision to the existing parts
It is a big car, and making U-turns in the city will need backing up majority of the times
What defines a BMW
LED DRL light rings and accent light on top. Fog lamp is also a LED unit.
Adaptive LED headlamps with auto high beam
Close look at the fog lamp, it is recessed into the front bumper
Headlamp washer in action
'Adaptive' etching on the headlamp
The kidney grille is now much larger than it was on the previous generation. Also, the headlamps now reach out and touch the kidney grille.
The bonnet shut line over the kidney grille does leave a noticeable amout of gap
Character lines on the hood are pronounced
The X5 comes with aerodynamic package including air breathers, look to the LHS of the titanium moulding, you'll notice the small slit
Front bumpers also get parking sensors
A small wind deflector ahead of the front tyres to for better aerodynamics
Front bumpers also get parking sensors
ORVMs get LED turn indicators
Engine nomenclature on the doors - xDrive30d
The Bavarian ornament
The test car was equipped with 21" optional alloy wheels. The stock units are 18" double-spoke style 446 alloys shod with 255/55 R18 tyres
These optionals tyres filled up the wheel well neatly, and added much more flare to the exterior deisgn
The previous gen used to get a body moulding on the doors, the new one just gets a crease line
Air breathers on the side panel, behind the front tyres
A look at the front bumper air breather
Window sills are wrapped in satinated aluminium
Roof rails also get the satinated aluminium finish. Have a look at the large two-part panoramic sunroof
Out of the two glass sections, the larger one at the front is pulled back all the way
In ventilation mode, both the glass sections pop-up. Looks sweet, even from the inside.
Shark fin antenna on the roof
The SUV does not get a full size spoiler, but this top section on the boot lid poses like one
Feed this only with diesel fuel
LED tail lamps with homogenous light strips
Tail lamp intensity is perfect, does not bother the cars following the big X
Tail pipes are finished in matte chrome
Welcoming all
How it looks with the door open in the night
Dual tone, beige and black interior colour scheme with fine-wood trim
Another look at the dashboard
Interiors get ambient lighting
Stepping inside the car adds so much to the 'feel good' factor because of these ambient lights
Also, ambient lights have three colours options, and multiple combinations
Ambient lighting reaches out on the dashboard, end to end. Also seen here are the dual AC vents
Multifunction steering wheel wrapped in sport leather
Instrument cluster looks clean, nothing jazzy or fancy here
Instrument cluster does get a small display screen at the bottom. Cut out in the tachometer shows the power & charge data when in Eco Pro mode.
Instrument cluster shows data such as the direction in which the car is moving, average running time, instantaneous fuel efficiency, average fuel efficiency, date, DTE, cruise control activity and also the next change in direction when using the navigationmore
Steering mounted controls
The X5 gets paddle shifts for times when you feel slightly enthusiastic
LHS control stalk head toggles the MID and automatic headlamps along with the indicators + high beam. RHS control stalk takes car of the front and rear wipers and the front windscreen washer.
Steering wheel rake and reach is electrically adjustable
Another look at the dual AC vents on either ends. Seen below are the Euro lighting switch, front and rear fog lamp buttons and a scroll bar to adjust instrument cluster illumination intensity
Start stop button and the Auto-Start stop control switch next to it
The key looks fab, and feels heavy
Centre console gets piano black finish around the AC and stereo controls
Infotainment screen displays data such as vehicle information, xDrive status showing the terrain undulations, navigation, sport displays showing how much torque and power is being used, colour combinations for the ambient lighting and moremore
While cruising on the highway for more than 20-30 minutes and feathering the accelerator pedal at around 80 kmph, the car returned a fuel efficiency figure of 16.6 kmpl. Not bad at all. Long highway trips will be easy on your wallet.more
Reversing camera shows guide lines based on steering input
The familiar BMW JOY-stick. iDrive controller next to it.
Electric parking brake with auto hold
Close look at the iDrive controller
Dual zone automatic climate control and the stereo console powered by Harman Kardon surround system. A total of 16 speakers.
Centre console illumination
Front armrest pops open in two with a storage compartment below
Canberra beige dakota leather upholstery
Neck restraints can be adjusted by pressing this button on the side
Electric seat adjustment for driver and passenger with memory function for the driver seat. Lumbar support is electrically adjustable too.
A look at the passenger seat electric controls
Driver footwell has lots of space. Organ accelerator pedal feels good when put to use.
Front door pad also gets the wooden trim with silver accents
Even the door pads get ambient lighting
Controls on the driver door pad and a speaker above
A Harman Kardon tweeter on the ORVM mount
Rubberised bottom for the bottle holder on the door pad
Electrochromic mirror saves you from the annoying headlamp glare
Controls for the sunroof and cabin lamps
Sunglass holder has felt lining
Vanity mirrors on the sun visors get automatic illumination
Storage bin below the centre console is neatly covered with a slider
Two cup holders, a lighter and a cubby hole below the centre console
Glove box is size small, gets felt lining. It is neither cooled nor illuminated.
A speaker placed behind the infotainment screen
A look at the sunroof from inside
Close look at the wooden trim
BMW scuff plates
Rear door opens reasonably wide for easy ingress
2nd row seats are good for three. Small floor hump does not interfere much with the 5th occupant.
Large greenhouse lends a airy feel inside
2nd row seats also get 80mm fore and aft movement along with 10 degree recline adjustment
Two cupholders on the centre armrest
Even rear seat passengers get independent climate control adjustment. A storage bin and charging point below.
AC vents even on the B pillar
Classy, retractable seatback pockets
Rear door pad also gets wooden inserts. Speaker and tweeter placed side by side.
Ambient lights on the rear door pad
Pull-out sun shade for the rear passengers
40:20:40 split seats, with tumble down functionality
The lever to recline the 2nd row seat
Button to tumble down the 2nd row seat
Floor illumination under the 2nd row seats
Reading lamp for the second row passenger
Scuff plate in the 2nd row
Third row seats are best suited for kids. Adults will feel cramped within minutes of being here.
To get to the third row, tumble down the 2nd row seats
Look how thin the third row seat base is
Third row passengers also get cup holders and a storage bin
A speaker mounted on the D pillar and the third row seatbelt neatly tucked in
Third row seats have felt lining at the back, to keep stuff in place and reduce vibrating noise
Tool kit placed under the boot floor
Storage net and first-aid kit to the LHS of the boot
Another storage bin and a charging point to the RHS of the boot
Two part tail gate is not just functional, but looks cool too
With the lower tail gate section open
To open the lower part, you have to open the top section first
Storage capacity is huge with the second and third row seats folded away
Available boot space with the third row seats up
Lower section of the tail gate needs to be shut manually. For the top section, press this...
The 30d engine
Engine is a inline 6-cylinder, 2,993cc block pumping out 258 BHP of power and 560 Nm of torque
And then we met someone we reviewed last month, the BMW 3 Series GT