Insurance Group: 46
MPG: 37.7
CO2: 198
0-62 Mph: 6.6 secs
BHP: 306 BHP
Range: 705 miles
PROS: Fast, relatively economical, luxurious
CONS: Upgrading to the M Sport trim isn't worth it. Stick to the SE model and save yourself four grand.
The X5 is a great car to drive. You'll be astounded at just how composed it is for a tall 4x4. Sophisticated suspension makes the ride smoother at lower speeds but firms everything up when you're piling into corners at silly speeds.
The cabin is also very comfortable thanks to a lack of wind and road noise and comfy seats and the eight-speed auto 'box does its job very well indeed.
The XDrive 40d has a 306bhp engine delivering 442lb-ft of torque at 1500-2500rpm and reaches 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 147mph.
The X5 is a handsome car - much better looking than the awkward looking X1 and X3.
Don't expect the sort of sumptuous luxury you get from a Range Rover on the inside. The cabin is very luxurious and well made but it's a bit drab and sober - a common criticism of BMWs.
The M Sport trim comes with leather seats, power steering, metallic paint, cruise control, rear parking sensors, stability control, climate control, alloy wheels, stereo and MP3 connectivity as standard, with optional extras including Bluetooth for £585 and satellite navigation for £1925.
The 2011 JD Power Survey did reveal a couple of mechanical faults with the X5 but BMW should have ironed these out by now.
The X5's sheer size means it should be a safe place to sit. The car's four-wheel drive keeps it planted on the road and the X5 is offered with a full array of airbags which should cushion the blow if you run out of road.
There is plenty of space in the X5 for all five passengers. The boot is spacious too with 620 litres to offer and 1750 litres when the rear seats are folded down.
The XDrive 40d M Sport model costs £51,865 which seems fairly reasonable until you consider that the SE model is over £4k cheaper and offers a similar amount of standard kit.
Fuel economy of 37.7mpg is very impressive for a car like this and CO2 emissions of 198g/km mean that the X5 falls under VED band J. These figures would be respectable in any 4x4, let alone a 4x4 that can do 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds.
The X5 50i is a great car to drive, looks fantastic and is a capable long distance cruiser. However, it will be very expensive to run - you'll struggle to top 22mpg - and CO2 emissions of 292g/km m...
The 40d M Sport is a fantastic luxury 4X4 offering a powerful, smooth drive, great fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. However, despite the efficient engine, running costs will still be high.
You might want to read reviews for other Large 4x4 cars that you can then compare to the BMW X5. Here are some popular BMW X5 alternatives:
