A luxury crossover with the heart of a lion, the X5 M gets the full BMW performance treatment, from a turbocharged V8 to staggered-width wheels and launch control. The X5 M offers genuine sports-car thrills along with the room and versatility you expect in midsize crossover, which is no small accomplishment.
The X5 M gets minor equipment updates only.
Like the standard-issue X5, the M boasts an impeccably crafted interior for five passengers, all-wheel drive, and up to 66 cubic feet of cargo space.
Beneath the skin, however, the M goes in its own raucous direction. A 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 delivers 567 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. There's an adaptive sport suspension and a specially calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission with launch control.
The stability control system features a Dynamic mode for greater freedom to toss the X5 M about. You also get staggered-width 21-inch wheels, summer performance tires, and M-spec brakes. The exterior receives quad tailpipes and oversized front air intakes, while the inside gets heated front sport seats and special instrumentation.
In case you were wondering, the X5 M goes from zero to 60 mph in 4 seconds flat, which makes it one of the fastest crossovers you can own.
The extended leather interior features four-zone climate control, driver and passenger memory, a faux suede headliner, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and navigation with voice controls and real-time traffic data.
If you're in the mood for undiluted luxury, the Executive package adds power-closing doors, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, rear sunshades, and LED headlamps with automatic high-beam control. The only other option package, Driver Assistance Plus, tacks on blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, speed limit info, and surround-view cameras.
Individual options for your X5 M include 20-inch wheels, an automated parking system, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a rear entertainment setup with dual video displays.
As expected, the M doesn't ride as smoothly as the regular X5. You can fix that by "downgrading" to the more passenger-friendly 20-inch wheels with just a slight loss in high-speed handling. Note that the optional Bang & Olufsen system cuts into cargo space enough to matter to some buyers. We recommend inspecting a model so equipped before deciding whether to add it.
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