BMW X5

BMW's latest SUV is not only more car-like to drive, it's also more practical...

What's New
It may not be obvious at first glance, but the second-generation X5 really is an all-new car. BMW has retained much of the original model's DNA in the design, choosing to tweak the successful formula rather than overhaul it completely.

But while the sporty, muscular stance is familiar, it's now matched with much neater front and rear styling. More curvaceous headlamps and a sleeker bumper design effectively modernise the nose, and the integrated exhaust pipes at the opposite end look very smart.

The big news is that the new X5 is the first BMW to have seven seats. It has grown nearly 19cm in length and 7cm in width so the interior is bigger than its predecessor's. Yet, the new 4.8i model is 50kg heavier than the old 4.4i. So it's faster, but has a smaller appetite for fuel. Now there's progress for you.

BMW reckons passengers up to 1.7m tall will fit comfortably in the third row, but 1.6m is probably a more realistic limit if you want to remain on talking terms with them on longer journeys. There's a reasonable amount of luggage space in seven-seat mode, and the rearmost seats fold completely flat into the boot floor should you need even more luggage space.

Up front, the driver faces a classy dashboard with some novel features. Take the glove box - it's located high up, where you'd normally expect to find the front passenger's airbag, for easier access. The gear lever is a bit special, too. It's a shift-by-wire electronic control stick that takes some getting used to, but it works really well and frees up extra space.

How it Performs
The first X5 was well-known for its enthusiast-pleasing driving dynamics and this car moves the game on still further. Other than the fact that you can see over the roofs of most other cars, it's impossible to tell that you're behind the wheel of a big, heavy and off-road capable car.

Like some 3, 5 and 6 Series models, the X5 has BMW's variable-ratio Active Steering system, which speeds up the response at low speeds for easy manoeuvrability, while toning it down on the highway so you don't end up on the next lane if you sneeze.

Combine this with AdaptiveDrive - a computerised suspension management system - and the result is a level of agility that's almost unreal. The speed at which the X5 can be hustled through corners, without it even coming close to losing its composure, almost defies belief.

It tracks arrow-straight at high speeds, too. Downsides? The ride around town is quite stiff, no doubt due to the huge 19-inch wheels and low-profile tyres.

Both the 355bhp 4.8-litre V8 and 272bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines will be available for the Singapore market. Go for the V8 if your budget allows - not only does it sound the business, the vivid acceleration it delivers is something you'll never get tired of.

How it Stacks Up
The extra seats might make the new X5 more family-friendly than ever, but it's still first and foremost a driver's car.

Technical Specifications

MODEL BMW X5 4.8i ENGINE Engine: 4,799cc 32V V8 Max Power: 355bhp at 6,300rpm Max Torque: 475Nm at 3,400rpm - 3,800rpm TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic TOP SPEED 242km/h 0-100km/h 6.5s