Whether you want this particular ‘hot’ model, is a more complex issue. Make no mistake, it’s a glorious powerplant that sings a lovely song. But there are few situations on UK roads where you can really enjoy it, because of the overall bulk of this 2 tonne-plus vehicle. It feels big on most roads, and especially lanes.
But our main gripe is with pricing and probable, real-world running costs.
With options, our review car topped out at £76,830 – which is a huge wedge of cash. Given that this is the range-topper, we’re not sure why obvious kit like reversing cameras are still options. Even the excellent heads-up display should, in our view, be included. Yet that alone costs an extra £995.
Most confusing of all, is that BMW offers suspension choices even on the M50d, with the highly desirable Adaptive Dynamic suspension costing a huge £2495 over list price. Yet it’s a box you want to tick and the after-market will agree.
With running costs, BMW has done a remarkable job to keep quoted, combined mpg at 42.2 mpg, but in our test, a mixed set of tip-toe driving in ‘Eco-Pro’ mode only yielded a real-world average of 29 mpg, so it’s no 320d – but then you knew that.
It’s important to note that the M50d, twin turbo engine tested here, was actually introduced in 2012, so there are a handful of late-production, 2nd Gen X5 M50ds floating around. They could make sense as a used, relative ‘bargain’ if you don’t like the big grille and slightly awkward bonnet line of the new X5.
Also, the same engine will find a home in the forthcoming new X6, whose styling is a bigger departure from the model it replaces than this X5 is from its predecessor.
Finally, don’t neglect the less bulky X3 or even the xDrive (4WD) versions of BMW’s other cars, if you are mostly concerned about traction in inclement weather. As if that’s not enough choice, BMW-owned Rolls Royce has confirmed that it is looking to produce an SUV, in case you find BMW too low-rent…
Within the X5 range, there are yet more choices down the line. The marginally quicker petrol dragster, the xDrive 550i M Sport, sinks petrol consumption into the real-world teens and suffers from very high relative emissions. It is really only for the US market.
At the other extreme, later this year BMW will also introduce to the UK market a 2WD, X5 20d with much lower running costs yet most of the refinement benefits and ‘feel’ of the new X5.
This suggests to us that the spec and refinement ultimately matter the most with the X5, so while we love the performance of the M50d, we’d probably go for the 20d or 30d and lavish some budget on options, such as parking cameras, intelligent cruise control and dynamic suspension.
What about the rest of the BMW X5 range?
If the X5 M50d looks a bit much, take a look at BMW X5 models better suited to a business car user.
And click here to read about the new 2WD version.
