2017 BMW X5 Road Test and Review

2017BMWX5nighttimehero ・ Photo by BMW

BMW’s largest and most family-friendly SUV, the 2017 BMW X5 offers seven-passenger seating, all-wheel drive and turbocharged-V8 power.

Known for its fun-to-drive coupes and sports sedans, the German luxury brand builds the midsize X5 in South Carolina alongside its smaller X3 and fast backed X4 and X6 models. Now in its third-generation, the X5 remains BMW’s flagship SUV, and it continues to stand out with arousing style, an upscale interior, and an engaging driving experience. It’s also one of a handful of vehicles in the Midsize Luxury SUV segment available as a plugin hybrid.

The 2017 BMW X5 competes very successfully against a long list of popular, high-quality SUVs including the Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Lexus RX, Range Rover Sport, Cadillac XT5, Acura MDX, and Volvo XC90.

Let's take a closer look at the 2017 BMW X5.

Turbos, Diesel or Hybrid

Coincidentally, BMW offers the X5 in five different trim levels. And each gets its own distinct powerplant, although all models come with a smooth shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.

The base model is the rear-wheel-drive X5 sDrive35i, which starts at $57,595 including a $995 destination charge. It’s powered by a 300-hp 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine force fed by twin turbochargers. BMW’s xDrive All-wheel-drive system takes the price up to $59,895.

Next up is the diesel-powered X5 xDrive35d. It’s powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six that makes 255 hp. Prices start at $61,395. If that’s not green enough for you, BMW offers the $64,195 X5 xDrive40e iPerformance. It might have a clumsy name, but this plug-in hybrid packs some elegant engineering.  It combines a 240 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder with an electric motor and battery pack for a total of 308 hp.

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Enthusiast Ready

There are two more powerful members of the BMW X5 lineup and they’re absolutely the most desirable for enthusiast drivers. They’re also the most expensive.

The 2017 BMW X5 xDrive50i is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 pumping out 445 hp. This most starts at $74,645 and can rocket from 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. That’s almost two full seconds quicker than the lesser six-cylinder-powered models.

Then there’s the real hot-rod, the 2017 BMW X5 M. BMW’s M division is the brand’s in-house tuner or hot rod shop, known for cars like the M3 and M5. It competes head-to-head with AMG at Mercedes-Benz.

High-performance M models, like the 2017 X5 M, are standalone high-performance models tuned on the world’s racetracks including Germany’s legendary Nurburgring. This model, which competes with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Mercedes GLE63 AMG, gets a tuned up version of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine. In the X5 M, it makes 567 hp, making it one of the most powerful suvs in the world. 0-60 mph takes just 4.1 seconds.

More aggressive suspension tuning, 21-inch wheels and tires, and flared bodywork are also part of the X5 M. Prices start at $101,695.

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How it Drives

Our test vehicle, an all-wheel-drive xDrive35i, represents the most popular version of the X5. It doesn’t take many miles behind the wheel to understand why. This is one of the best performing and most fun-to-drive SUVs available. And it certainly lives up to the BMW reputation for driving dynamics.

Around town, the X5 feels large and heavy from behind the wheel. But not in a bad way. It feels like it’s indestructible. Like a tank. It’s very confidence-inspiring. Drive it with an enthusiast’s hand, however, and the X5 immediately begins to feel smaller than it is. This is also a good thing. It’s responsive. Quick. And it’s easily maneuverable in crowded parking lots.

You’ll appreciate the X5s athletic handling, but some may find the ride to be a bit firm on rough roads even in Comfort mode. This may have been caused in part by our test vehicle’s optional extra wide 20-inch wheels and run-flat tires, which looked great but sacrifice some ride compliance and road surface isolation.

Power from the X5’s turbocharged six-cylinder engine is more than enough for most drivers, even in such a large vehicle. There’s plenty of thrust off the line and good passing power on the highway.

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Average Fuel Economy for its Class

Fuel economy is about average for this class. As expected, the xDrive40e hybrid model is the fuel sipper of the bunch, with fuel economy rating of 56mpge or a combined city and highway rating of 24 mpg. It can also be driven up to 13 miles using electric power alone, and recharging the batteries takes about two and half hours when it’s plugged into a 220-volt outlet.

The Lexus RX Hybrid is the class leader with 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway ratings. BMW’s diesel-powered X5 is rated 23 mpg city and 29 mpg on the highway and my neighbor who owns one swears he gets 30 mph on long road trips.

The gas-powered sDrive35i is rated 18 mpg city and 25 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel drive xDrive35i is rated 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. I averaged 20 mpg in our test vehicle during mixed driving.

Go for the V8-powered xDrive50i and you’ll undoubtedly burn more fuel. It’s rated 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway while the high-performance X5 M is rated 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.

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Family Friendly

The 2017 BMW offers a large interior that seats five comfortably or seven if you get the optional third row. The third row is hardly adult-friendly but doable if the ride is very short. Otherwise, it’s a kid’s only zone. Second-row captain’s chairs are not available.

Parents will appreciate the BMW’s easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats and an easily accessed upper tether anchors on the seatbacks. Although the Volvo XC90 offers the ability to convert the second-row middle seat into a built in booster seat for small children, the BMW does not offer this feature.  

The X5 scored the highest crash test rating, 5-stars, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It also scored well in testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety but it did not receive a Top Safety Pick rating like some of its competitors.

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Opulent Interior

Bluetooth and navigation with voice recognition are standard on every BMW X5, as is a large 10.2-inch screen. BMW’s iDrive infotainment system has been refined over the years and is now one of the best. Onboard WiFi is available.

Overall the interior of the 2017 BMW X5 is very well appointed, exceptionally assembled and extremely comfortable. Build quality is very high. All the knobs and switches function with precision. Nothing feels cheap and the optional heated leather-wrapped steering wheel feels good in your hands on a cool morning. Visibility is outstanding and the driver’s seat is height-adjustable for shorter drivers.

Rear passengers appreciated our test vehicle’s rear air-conditioning vents, rear climate controls, and heated rear seats.

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Cargo and Cupholders

BMW doesn’t offer an official measurement of cargo space behind the X5’s optional third-row seats. There isn’t much room back there, just enough room for a few grocery bags. But the third row is split 50/50 and easily folds flat.

Behind the second row, which is split 40/20/40, the 2017 BMW X5 offers 35.8 cubic feet of space and with both rows folded out of the way, there are an impressive 76.7 cubic feet. Still, the Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, and other SUVs in the class offer more space. 

Storage inside the BMW’s interior is generous. The center-console bin is sizeable and the door pockets are large and two big front-seat cupholders are well placed.

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Advanced Safety Systems

BMW also offers a long list of tech-based safety systems on the X5. Unfortunately, they are all extra-cost options. BMW offers side- and top-view cameras that provide a detailed overhead view of the vehicle and its surroundings and a Head-Up display that projects the SUVs speed and other information on the windshield ahead of the driver.

Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection that warns if vehicles and pedestrians are in your path are also available. It will also automatically begin braking if the system believes an accident is imminent.

Active Cruise Control, which will keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and can be used in stop-and-go traffic, is also available. It’s also the most autonomy BMW offers on this model.

For those that want a luxury suv that will do the driving for them, Volvo’s XC90 offers the Pilot Assist-Semi Autonomous Drive with Adaptive Cruise Control. The system operates the throttle, brake, and steering, although it does ask you to touch the steering wheel often to make sure you’re still paying attention. It works in stop-and-go traffic and can cruise the SUV on the highway at 80 mph quite easily.

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Final Thoughts

Comfortable, stylish, family-friendly and fun-to-drive, the 2017 BMW X5 is a consistent favorite in the extremely competitive midsize luxury suv segment.

Many will be tempted by the big horsepower numbers of the V8 models, but the 300-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine will satisfy most buyers most of the time. The diesel is another wonderful option. It costs only $1,500 more than the all-wheel-drive six-cylinder gas-powered model but delivers a sizable bump in fuel economy. It’s a strong value.

If you want the best handling, order the Dynamic Handling Package and go for the sexy 20-inch wheels, but for the smoothest ride stick with the standard 17-inch wheels and tires.

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