Introduction

Others have followed, but the BMW X5 invented a class. As BMW's 3 Series defines the sport sedan, the X5 defines an expanding group of big, powerful SUVs that shine for their on-pavement agility and lightning acceleration, with an emphasis on luxury appointments. Climb out of a truck-based luxury SUV like the Cadillac Escalade, and the X5 feels as capable on the road as the big BMW 7 Series sedan (even though it isn't). Improvements for 2004 are more extensive than any since the X5 was introduced five years ago. And a new high-performance 4.8is model has been added to the lineup. Logic? You'll have to set it aside to appreciate the BMW X5. The X5 is 2.5 tons of speed, comfort and prestige. It's quicker away from traffic lights than most cars, and capable of nearly 150 mph, though we certainly don't recommend driving a vehicle this tall that fast. Its steering is precise and it's exceptionally stable at supra-legal speeds. Massive tires contribute to impressive cornering grip and stopping power. The X5 offers nearly all the bells, whistles and high-tech gizmos that you'll find on the most expensive sedans in the world. A big V8 delivers the ultimate X5 thrill, but it's also available with an outstanding six-cylinder. That trademark BMW twin-kidney grille indicates its owner is successful. It also indicates BMW's reputation for quality and driving excitement. Moreover, the X5 delivers most of the attributes that made SUVs popular in the first place. It works well in foul weather and easily negotiates muddy trails. It offers the commanding seating position many drivers prefer. It looks tough and polished at the same time. Now let's get back to logic. BMW says the X5 is designed for all roads, meaning superhighways, graded gravel or logging trails. It's not intended for carving your own road, or fording shallow streams or climbing boulders. In fact, the X5 is not capable off road, not when measured against sport-utilities that are capable. The X5 offers less cargo capacity than nearly any other SUV of its size and weight, less even than a BMW 5 Series wagon, and its high floor makes loading cargo more challenging. Though it handles well for an SUV, its weight and height simply won't allow it the quick transient response of a sport sedan or sport wagon in the same price range. Compared to other BMWs, the X5 is not the ultimate driving machine, and its fuel mileage is poor in comparison. It also costs more than some comparably equipped, very good luxury SUVs. For 2004, the X5's look has been freshened, with a redesigned front end, new taillights and new wheel designs. Mechanically, both manual and automatic transmissions have been upgraded to six-speeds, with a more powerful V8 and a new, more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system called xDrive. There's more standard equipment, including rain-sensing wipers and a power passenger seat in all models, and new options like heated rear seats on the six-cylinder X5. New for 2004 is BMW Assist, a telematic system with automatic accident notification and other premium services. Forget rational vs. emotional. If you seek a luxurious sport-utility that makes a fine, highly useful everyday vehicle, with high style and modicum of off-pavement capability, the 2004 BMW X5 is the benchmark.

Walkaround

The 2004 BMW X5 feature freshened styling cues, though no one is likely to mistake it for something other than the familiar X5. From the windshield forward, all of the sheet metal is new for 2004. The contours of the X5's hood are more pronounced, the grilles are wider and set higher, and the headlight clusters are reshaped. The front bumper has new contours and fog lights. Side by side with a 2003 X5, the changes for 2004 are noticeable. There's no question who builds this vehicle. The BMW X5 looks like a 5 Series wagon on steroids, and is remarkably close to the wagon in overall size. From its kidney-shaped grille to its multi-segmented tail lights, the curvy X5 is all Bimmer. The slope of the tailgate matches that on the 5 Series wagon. The major difference is that the X5 is 10 inches taller than the 5 Series wagon, which creates a key component of its sport-utility character. Large-diameter wheels with low-profile tires enhance its aggressive appearance. The new BMW X5 4.8is sports a unique front air dam, body kit, and huge wheels and tires. Truck-based SUVs, such as the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, are built with a separate body bolted onto a boxed ladder frame. The X5, however, uses a monocoque body shell like that of a regular sedan. This unit-body construction provides a much stiffer structure, which improves handling, reduces noise and allows better fit and finish, though many consider the design less rugged and durable. The X5 is not the first unit-body SUV, and many more have followed. With a few notable exceptions (such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee), unit-body SUVs tend to be like the X5, with on-pavement performance taking precedence over off-road ability.

Interior Features

The X5 has a great interior. Typically BMW, it's all business and no nonsense, but it's also very luxurious. The 3.0i comes standard with leatherette (vinyl) upholstery, but leather is an option. The 4.4i comes with Dakota leather as standard equipment, and a choice of light or dark poplar wood trim. The simple, uncluttered layout, accented with touches of wood or aluminum, lends an air of elegance. The door handles have a nice brushed-aluminum finish, and the soft plastic surfaces feel more like leather. The switchgear is ergonomically well designed. Available steering wheel controls allow a number of adjustments, including climate, stereo and integrated phone without removing a hand from the wheel. Despite the X5's high seats, many drivers will drop the bottom cushion down, and that can obscure much of the exterior from view, not to mention stuff located a few feet around it. For that reason, Park Distance Control is valuable. Sensors on the front and rear bumpers detect parked cars, tricycles, and other obstacles, and an alarm beeps faster as you maneuver closer to whatever might stand in your way. When the tone goes solid, the bumper is very close to the object. Different tones are used front and rear, making it much easier and quicker to parallel park in tight spaces. The front seats are excellent: firm and supportive, with lots of adjustments. The rear seats are also comfortable, and the seatbacks can be reclined. Despite the X5's greater exterior height, however, headroom is nearly identical to that of the 5 Series wagon. The X5's cargo capacity is no better than a 5 Series wagon's. Nor is hauling capacity one of its strengths. With a maximum 54.4 cubic feet of cargo space (23.8 cubic feet with rear seat in place), the X5 has less volume than nearly every other luxury SUV. The moment we opened the rear hatch, we were struck by the relative lack of space. Power switches in the cargo area move the reclining seatbacks forward for some additional capacity, but the seats move slowly, and the gain in space is small. The rear seats are split 40/60 and can be folded down to provide a fairly flat, though not perfectly flat, surface. The height of the load floor makes it more difficult than it is with most wagons to load cargo, and even more difficult than some other SUVs. The X5's cargo deck stands about 35 inches off the ground. That's five inches higher than in the Land Rover Discovery, a highly capable off-road vehicle with high ground clearance and a live rear axle. Caesar the English mastiff, who has ascended his dog ramp into dozens of different SUVs, found climbing into the BMW a real challenge because the pitch was so steep. The X5's rear hatch is split, with a window that flips up and a tailgate that drops down. Reflectors on the tailgate's jamb enhance safety when accessing gear at night. A sturdy rollaway cargo cover can be removed for carrying larger items. The rear window can be opened independently of the tailgate, convenient for quickly loading small items. A remote release opens the rear window, but this only led to a frustrating sequence of events: We'd press the release, climb out, and close the driver's side door. Closing the door would increase air pressure inside the cabin just enough to lift the open rear window, which would then flop down and latch itself again. So we'd arrive at the back of the vehicle only to find that we had to walk back to the driver's seat and re-release the hatch. Do this a few times in succession and you begin to feel like an idiot. This can also make the X5 a bit inconvenient when dropping passengers at the airport. Armed with groceries, you'll more likely open the rear hatch with the keyless remote control, which works well.