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BMW X5
2000 BMW X5
Exclusive Carweb.com Road Review
by Glenn Gould
The car ahead suddenly slowed. We slammed on the brakes of our 2000 BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) hoping to avoid a disastrous mingling of sheet metal. Praise BMW, there was no crunch, just rapid sports car-like deceleration. No, that was not a misprint; the new X5 is called a Sports Activity Vehicle by BMW, not a Sport Utility Vehicle. Our 4.4 BMW X5 felt more car-nimble than any SUV we had driven.
SUVs are accused of many things these days, but sporty handling has not been one of them. They might be sporty looking or take you to a sporting event, but their handling was more Peterbilt, than Porsche. However, the X5 feels agile in more ways than one, and that should not be a surprise. It is a BMW after all. Along with their trendy looks, BMWs have a reputation of being driver's cars. The new X5 SAV handily upholds this reputation.
The X5 is based on the superlative 5 Series BMW sedans. It was BMW's aim to combine the SUV's utility with the legendary BMW driving experience. Not any easy task, mind you.
From a distance the X5 looks a little like a pumped up 5 Series wagon. However, it is not. Sure the traditional BMW cues are there, short overhang, the traditional chrome grills, and the sleek, aggressive styling. Yet, it is more than that.
On first approach we noted the X5 was wider and taller than it looked. It took a purposeful tug to open the hefty driver's door. One needs to climb aboard the X5 too. Those passengers under the five-foot-nine norm will notice the omission of an A-pillar assist handle.
Once inside one finds a traditional SUV commanding view of the road. However, you are surrounded with traditional BMW sedan elegance. Luxurious, aromatic leather, polished hardwood trim and the typical array of BMW electronic gadgets. The electronics included an optional GPS navigating system and 8-function trip computer. The seats are supportive and seem similar to those found in the sedan. Access from outside to the cargo area is though the split tailgates. The window flips up and the lower gate folds down. This would be great for a tailgate party, or a launching point for a day of roller blading.
The X5 is produced in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It also has a long list of alphabetically labeled devices that would make a bureaucrats' heart flutter. These include AST-all season traction control, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC-X), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), STEPTRONIC Transmission, Hill Decent Control (HDC), and more.
To see how this alphabet soup worked, we chose a section of rutted logging road. The X5 covered the section of road that was a road in name only, with ease. Although, it used several of its "lettered" devices to get us back onto the pavement. However, BMW did not design the X5 to be a serous off-roader. Honestly, it would not be my first choice for primitive road exploration either. The X5 has full-time all-wheel drive, but does not have a rock-crawling low-ranger like the Toyota Land Cruiser or the Mercedes ML.
Most SAV/SUV owners never take their vehicles off-road. Thus, it is nice to report the X5 is a real road burner. The BMW's 4.4 282 horsepower V-8 pushes the X5 from 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds. The Government classifies the X5 as a light-duty truck, but from behind the wheel your senses cry sports sedan. The steering is precise, and there is minimal lean in the corners. The engine and smooth STEPTRONIC automatic/clutchless manual transmission make for entertaining back-road safaris.
The base price for the 4.4 X5 is $49,000. Our test vehicles had the $300 on-board computer, add in the $570 delivery charge, and the as tested value was $50,270. Not exactly your entrance level Sport Ute, but if you want a SAV/SUV with performance and utility this might be the ticket.
A less costly alternative might be the six-cylinder X5 or the new BMW 3 Series 330xi all-wheel-drive sedan.
Spies report that BMW is testing an "M" version of the X5. Stay tuned this could be interesting.
-Glenn Gould
CHEERS
1. Power
2. Handling
3. Styling
JEERS
1. Gas mileage
2. Assist handles
Exclusive Carweb.com Road Review
by Glenn Gould
The car ahead suddenly slowed. We slammed on the brakes of our 2000 BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) hoping to avoid a disastrous mingling of sheet metal. Praise BMW, there was no crunch, just rapid sports car-like deceleration. No, that was not a misprint; the new X5 is called a Sports Activity Vehicle by BMW, not a Sport Utility Vehicle. Our 4.4 BMW X5 felt more car-nimble than any SUV we had driven.
SUVs are accused of many things these days, but sporty handling has not been one of them. They might be sporty looking or take you to a sporting event, but their handling was more Peterbilt, than Porsche. However, the X5 feels agile in more ways than one, and that should not be a surprise. It is a BMW after all. Along with their trendy looks, BMWs have a reputation of being driver's cars. The new X5 SAV handily upholds this reputation.
The X5 is based on the superlative 5 Series BMW sedans. It was BMW's aim to combine the SUV's utility with the legendary BMW driving experience. Not any easy task, mind you.
From a distance the X5 looks a little like a pumped up 5 Series wagon. However, it is not. Sure the traditional BMW cues are there, short overhang, the traditional chrome grills, and the sleek, aggressive styling. Yet, it is more than that.
On first approach we noted the X5 was wider and taller than it looked. It took a purposeful tug to open the hefty driver's door. One needs to climb aboard the X5 too. Those passengers under the five-foot-nine norm will notice the omission of an A-pillar assist handle.
Once inside one finds a traditional SUV commanding view of the road. However, you are surrounded with traditional BMW sedan elegance. Luxurious, aromatic leather, polished hardwood trim and the typical array of BMW electronic gadgets. The electronics included an optional GPS navigating system and 8-function trip computer. The seats are supportive and seem similar to those found in the sedan. Access from outside to the cargo area is though the split tailgates. The window flips up and the lower gate folds down. This would be great for a tailgate party, or a launching point for a day of roller blading.
The X5 is produced in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It also has a long list of alphabetically labeled devices that would make a bureaucrats' heart flutter. These include AST-all season traction control, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC-X), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), STEPTRONIC Transmission, Hill Decent Control (HDC), and more.
To see how this alphabet soup worked, we chose a section of rutted logging road. The X5 covered the section of road that was a road in name only, with ease. Although, it used several of its "lettered" devices to get us back onto the pavement. However, BMW did not design the X5 to be a serous off-roader. Honestly, it would not be my first choice for primitive road exploration either. The X5 has full-time all-wheel drive, but does not have a rock-crawling low-ranger like the Toyota Land Cruiser or the Mercedes ML.
Most SAV/SUV owners never take their vehicles off-road. Thus, it is nice to report the X5 is a real road burner. The BMW's 4.4 282 horsepower V-8 pushes the X5 from 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds. The Government classifies the X5 as a light-duty truck, but from behind the wheel your senses cry sports sedan. The steering is precise, and there is minimal lean in the corners. The engine and smooth STEPTRONIC automatic/clutchless manual transmission make for entertaining back-road safaris.
The base price for the 4.4 X5 is $49,000. Our test vehicles had the $300 on-board computer, add in the $570 delivery charge, and the as tested value was $50,270. Not exactly your entrance level Sport Ute, but if you want a SAV/SUV with performance and utility this might be the ticket.
A less costly alternative might be the six-cylinder X5 or the new BMW 3 Series 330xi all-wheel-drive sedan.
Spies report that BMW is testing an "M" version of the X5. Stay tuned this could be interesting.
-Glenn Gould
CHEERS
1. Power
2. Handling
3. Styling
JEERS
1. Gas mileage
2. Assist handles
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by atasha shane on -
Really love my bmw x5. BMW has always been known for its awesome style so I agree that the styling is really nice especially if you put an extra oxygen sensor. Very cool car.
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Permalink Reply by santiago cute on -
Hallo Glenn Gould,
Thank you for having to write a good review of the BMW X5. two thumbs up for you. thanks for sharing. : D
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