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2000 BMW X5-Series Review

April 3, 2008

 Cheryl Jensen's avatar Cheryl Jensen
EditorCheryl Jensen

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The BMW X5, which the company calls a Sport-Activity Vehicle, seems to be in search of an identity.

Even the route chosen for a recent press introduction showed multiple personalities. It included a little bit of everything: some twisty country roads, a barely challenging off-road course, and the racetrack at Road Atlanta. Plus, in conversations, BMW executives tried to make it clear that the X5 is a truck, not a car, yet they repeatedly pointed out its similarities to 5- and 7-Series sedans.

Whatever.

The most important thing is not in doubt: In many ways, it does remind one of a BMW car. And, in December, Bimmer enthusiasts who want the BMW on-road driving experience — combined with poor-road capability, the command driving position of a sport-utility vehicle, and the utility of a station wagon — will be able to ante up $49,970 (the base price, including destination charge) for that privilege.

 

On road and track

On the highways, the twisting country roads and the apexes of Road Atlanta, the X5's variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering had excellent on-center feel.

And it's no wonder it performs much like a car. First, there's its unibody construction, used in passenger cars but rarely in SUVs. In fact, only the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Lexus RX 300 have unibody construction. Then, there is the X5's four-wheel independent suspension instead of the typical SUV live axle.

The front suspension (BMW's double-pivot system) and rear suspension (BMW's advanced multilink system) are similar to those found in the 5- and 7-Series, but construction has been beefed up, assuming there will be more abuse.

For the enthusiast, the only choice will be the Sports Package, with its heavier steering and much stiffer suspension. What the driver sacrifices in ride comfort, he or she gains in encountering virtually no body lean when cornering. Without the Sports Package, there is more body lean and a lighter feel to the steering, which will be just fine for those who are less performance-oriented.

The BMW X5, which the company calls a Sport-Activity Vehicle, seems to be in search of an identity. Even the route chosen for a recent press introduction showed multiple personalities. It included a little bit of everything: some twisty country roads, a barely challenging off-road course, and the racetrack at Road Atlanta. Plus, in conversations, BMW executives tried to make it clear that the X5 is a truck, not a car, yet they repeatedly pointed out its similarities to 5- and 7-Series sedans. Whatever. The most important thing is not in doubt: In many ways, it does remind one of a BMW car. And, in December, Bimmer enthusiasts who want the BMW on-road driving experience — combined with poor-road capability, the command driving position of a sport-utility vehicle, and the utility of a station wagon — will be able to ante up $49,970 (the base price, including destination charge) for that privilege.   On road and track On the highways, the twisting country roads and the apexes of Road Atlanta, the X5's variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering had excellent on-center feel. And it's no wonder it performs much like a car. First, there's its unibody construction, used in passenger cars but rarely in SUVs. In fact, only the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Lexus RX 300 have unibody construction. Then, there is the X5's four-wheel independent suspension instead of the typical SUV live axle. The front suspension (BMW's double-pivot system) and rear suspension (BMW's advanced multilink system) are similar to those found in the 5- and 7-Series, but construction has been beefed up, assuming there will be more abuse. For the enthusiast, the only choice will be the Sports Package, with its heavier steering and much stiffer suspension. What the driver sacrifices in ride comfort, he or she gains in encountering virtually no body lean when cornering. Without the Sports Package, there is more body lean and a lighter feel to the steering, which will be just fine for those who are less performance-oriented. The BMW X5, which the company calls a Sport-Activity Vehicle, seems to be in search of an identity. Even the route chosen for a recent press introduction showed multiple personalities. It included a little bit of everything: some twisty country roads, a barely challenging off-road ...

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