![]() We've yet to drive it, but have spent half days in the spiffy new xDrive35d turbodiesel and the V-8-powered xDrive50i. The familiar 300-horsepower, 3.0-liter, twin-turbo, in-line six-cylinder engine is the base engine, good for 0-60 mph times of about 6.2 seconds. There's diesel power available, insanely plush spin-offs with V-8 thrust, sophisticated all-wheel-drive systems that provide moderate amounts of off-road capability, and extravagant suspension systems meant to muddle the crossover roots enough to make it more than palatable on-road. The new BMW X5 occupies that performance space typical of German SUVs like the Mercedes M-Class and VW Touareg and, yes we're going there, the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The cargo hold can be opened from the key fob or the driver's seat: the lower piece drops like a truck tailgate, while the upper glass powers open like a minivan tailgate. If you get the optional third-row seats, there's separately a new Easy Entry function-but they're still Oompa-Loompa small, making them occasional seats at best, cargo space more often, a line-item veto most of the time. ![]() The second-row seat in the X5 can now be split 40/20/40, for more flexibility, and they're adjustable for rake. Seat comfort isn't perfect, though, with some flatness in the front buckets. The X5 can seat up to seven, and for most of those passengers, it's a warmer ambiance to soak up. It's not so broad a palette until you reach into the more extreme colors on the option list. In the cockpit, the monolithic bulge of BMW's latest dash designs shows up in swell form, made distinctive this time with a choice of neutral and brown leathers over the standard black leatherette. The proportions make more visual sense, though it's not a huge transformation on the order of, say, the first- and second-generation Cayenne. There's plenty of X3 down the sides, where the tapered roofline and lower beltline nudge it gently toward a more sport-wagon-like form. ![]() The new X5 is more gracefully sculpted than its ancestors, in measurable amounts but not in any dramatic fashion. The X5 hasn't dramatically changed its sheetmetal, but the cabin's reworked handsomely, if not unabashedly. It's got good driving feel plus enough onboard technology and off-road capability to earn its place in gated-community garages everywhere. Engineered in Germany, built in South Carolina, supplied all over the globe, the X5 remains an aesthetically pleasing off-road and on-road wagon. The X5 is still one of the benchmarks in the mid-size luxury SUV class. Yet it still offers moderate off-road capability, and enough innate BMW feel, even as the electronically controlled aspects of the car expand. It now offers more interesting lines, greater comfortable, a broader array of features, and better fuel economy than its predecessor. I do really like the cosmetic look for the laser lights too, seems kind of crazy to not buy a car for some lights but again building an 80k car just want it how I want it.Īre we sure the laser lights are coming back at a later date? I also just asked the sales person at BMW this and he said not sure.All new for this model year, the 2014 BMW X5 has evolved without losing any of its main virtues. 45e just seemed like the better option with the credit and I drive a lot locally so the gas savings would've been nice. What is your timeline? Can you wait the extra 6 months to get one in December? That would likely be the best solution so you could get the 45e and the lasers.Īppreciate your insights, I can definitely wait if need be. You also have to look at how often you will be using it in conditions where the laser lights will come into play (disregarding the cosmetic differences which are a big plus to the lasers). If it was just because it was less expensive with the credit then go with the 40i. If it was to take advantage of the hybrid then maybe taking it without the lasers would be the way to go. I guess it depends on what was drawing you to the hybrid in the first place. Now the question is do you love your 45e that much more than a 40i (with laser lights). I can find 40i with 14k miles with executive package etc for around 61k. I'm also particular on a white one with either black or Tartufo interior with the hexagon trim. Hmmmm looking for some advice/opinion, now im torn between just building the 45E without laser lights or buying a used X5 40i with executive package etc.īuying a used 45e doesn't seem like a good idea with the higher price and no tax credit.
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