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2008 BMW X5-Series Quality Review

July 28, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Comfortable and spacious interior
Car and Driver

More seats, power and size than its forebear
Cars.com

BMW's optional sport seats are among the best in the business
MyRide.com

In terms of value and utility, however, many competitors are better
Edmunds

BMW is known for comfort and quality, and the 2008 BMW X5 is no exception.

The 2008 BMW X5 comes with the standard two rows of seats providing plenty of storage capacity in the rear. However, Edmunds states that the "optional folding third row is best suited for children and gymnastically inclined members of the Lollipop Guild." Car and Driver calls the interior "comfortable and spacious" but notes "third-row space is tight." MyRide.com concurs, stating they like the "front/second row comfort," but aren't really feeling the "third row comfort" that the BMW X5 has to offer.

MyRide.com is more complimentary when comes to in-cabin storage, noting the storage bins in both front doors and a "clever clam shell glove box" that allows an individual to place more than just the owner's manual inside. The center console is deep with pockets on the back of each front seat to store maps and other items the rear passengers may need. Each rear door also has a storage bin, giving this 2008 BMW plenty of places for stowing, as to not impede on the cabin space in use. Cars.com adds "the cargo floor boasts nearly four extra inches of length compared to its predecessor."

Next comes the quality of the materials. Edmunds believes the interior is one of the "most elegant" built by BMW. MyRide.com notes that the BMW X5's "plastics...have nice grain surfaces or are finished to look like aluminum." The only complaint they seem to have is that "flimsy plastic" is used in the panels covering the opening of the ski bag and the tailgate's hinged panel. The plastic handle of the cargo area's locking bin is also considered flimsy.

As far as road noise in the 2008 BMW, MyRide.com says, "Large mirrors do come with a drawback: wind noise." They say "there's some road noise," but it is no more than what they would expect from tires that can work well no matter the season. ConsumerGuide reports "some engine noise and coarse-surface tire thrum, but otherwise, the 2008 BMW X5 is pleasantly quiet."

Conclusion

The quality of the materials and roomy seating of the 2008 BMW X5 make for a richly appointed, spacious SUV.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Comfortable and spacious interiorCar and DriverMore seats, power and size than its forebearCars.comBMW's optional sport seats are among the best in the businessMyRide.comIn terms of value and utility, however, many competitors are betterEdmunds BMW is known for comfort and quality, and the 2008 BMW X5 is no exception. The 2008 BMW X5 comes with the standard two rows of seats providing plenty of storage capacity in the rear. However, Edmunds states that the "optional folding third row is best suited for children and gymnastically inclined members of the Lollipop Guild." Car and Driver calls the interior "comfortable and spacious" but notes "third-row space is tight." MyRide.com concurs, stating they like the "front/second row comfort," but aren't really feeling the "third row comfort" that the BMW X5 has to offer. MyRide.com is more complimentary when comes to in-cabin storage, noting the storage bins in both front doors and a "clever clam shell glove box" that allows an individual to place more than just the owner's manual inside. The center console is deep with pockets on the back of each front seat to store maps and other items the rear passengers may need. Each rear door also has a storage bin, giving this 2008 BMW plenty of places for stowing, as to not impede on the cabin space in use. Cars.com adds "the cargo floor boasts nearly four extra inches of length compared to its predecessor." Next comes the quality of the materials. Edmunds believes the interior is one of the "most elegant" built by BMW. MyRide.com notes that the BMW X5's "plastics...have nice grain surfaces or are finished to look like aluminum." The only complaint they seem to have is that "flimsy plastic" is used in the panels covering the opening of the ski bag and the tailgate's hinged panel. The plastic handle of the cargo area's locking bin is also considered flimsy. As far as road noise in the 2008 BMW, MyRide.com says, "Large mirrors do come with a drawback: wind noise." They say "there's some road noise," but it is no more than what they would expect from tires that can work well no matter the season. ConsumerGuide reports "some engine noise and coarse-surface tire thrum, but otherwise, the 2008 BMW X5 is pleasantly quiet." ConclusionThe quality of the materials and roomy seating of the 2008 BMW X5 make for a richly appointed, spacious SUV. 2008 BMW X5 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: "It doesn't look radically different from its predecessor" Cars.com: "The X5's skin shows no drastic styling rebirth" MyRide.com: "The BMW X5 looks like pretty much any other crossover" Edmunds: "Luxurious and handsome interior" ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The world of full-size luxury SUVs is jammed with high-dollar names like the Brit-cool Land Rover Range Rover, which is also considerably more expensive than the BMW X5. The Lexus GX 470 is a slightly smaller choice in this group, while Infiniti's QX56 is a big SUV in the American mold, down to its unimpressive trim in the back two seating rows. Porsche's Cayenne seats only five and has drab styling, but great handling for an SUV. The Cadillac Escalade out-blings all these vehicles and has a smooth powertrain to go with its high price tag and low fuel economy, though a Hybrid edition is coming. The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class matches the X5 in seating and off-road capacity, and to our eyes, it's more handsome than the BMW.

Next Steps:

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See the BMW X5-Series in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999

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