2009 BMW X5 Review

The biggest news this year in the BMW camp is the introduction of a new X5 model with 3.0-liter biturbo in-line six-cylinder diesel engines. This and the other diesel releases in the 3 Series will be the first BMW diesels sold in the US for more than 20 years, unlike Europe where more than 60% of sales are in diesels. The X5 xDrive 35d is cause for celebration for diesel fans because by taking advantage of advanced diesel technology in the form of BluePerformance, which uses AdBlue (basically urea) to convert nitrous oxides into nitrous gas and water vapour, they have reduced emissions low enough to follow even the tough emission standards of California. Not only that, but the team at BMW have offered free AdBlue top ups throughout the 50,000-mile maintenance program. What this all means for the driver is 25% less fuel used than the equally powerful gasoline engine, plus higher torque and greater engine longevity.

2009 BMW X5 Performance

Aside from the diesel model, the 2009 X5 comes in two versions: the xDrive30i and the xDrive 48i with sport trim optional. The xDrive30i boasts a 260-hp 3.0-liter V6 engine, while the xDrive48i offers a whopping 350-hp 4.8-liter V8 that is hard to go past. They remain much the same as last year’s offerings with their standard six-speed automatic transmission, xDrive all-wheel drive systems, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Maximum towing capacity for these models is 6000 lb and the sports models feature BMW’s Active Steering, which improves the low-speed steering response. New is the electronic gear selector switch that operates the sports automatic mode with the left and lets the performance drivers make semi-automatic gear changes. Using the right hand shift gate, the automatic gears can be adjusted as well. For on-road driving, the xDrive30i attracts plenty of praise for its ability to drive like a sports sedan, but off-road its performance continues to attract criticism.

2009 BMW X5 Interior features

As always, the BMW X5 looks gorgeous, with its leather upholstery (leatherette in the xDrive30i, but still attractive) and heated seat function, wood interior trim and glass panorama moonroof. The models make full use of BMW’s advanced iDrive system that allows the driver to control navigation, music, climate control, rear-view camera, DVD and communication with one knob. You can even program it with your own favourite preferences for even greater ease. Interestingly, it is this feature that draws the greatest criticism from the auto experts, who find it confusing and frustrating to use it whilst driving.

The X5 seats five, but with the optional third row seating, it expands the capacity to comfortably seat seven for added versatility. Another feature is the Head-Up Display which presents driving information directly onto the windscreen in the viewing field, however many find this distracting and BMW have left it as an optional extra. For ease of loading, the remote controlled tailgate folds into two parts and allows a person even 1.8 metres tall to stand straight beneath it, great news for those of us who are tall enough to regularly sustain head injuries from low tailgates.

2009 BMW X5 Safety

BMW is well renown as experts in the safety field, and the 2009 models as always rank near the top of their class for safety. Safety features on every X5 include anti-lock disc brakes, xenon headlamps, and their new cornering lights which are activated automatically in the fog lamp when the indicator is used or the wheel is turned more than 10 degrees. Another great standard feature is the run-flat tires which means the car can be driven long distances even after sustaining a puncture thanks to the side-wall reinforcement. This not only saves emergency tire changes on the side of the road, but eliminates the need for a spare, saving significant space in the rear.

Standard are the Active Roll Stabilization with traction control and rollover sensor, and of course the front and side-impact airbags and overhead curtain airbags for all rows. The sturdy shell complies with crash safety standares world-wide, even when the third row seats are folded down.

Standard safety features include:

• 4-wheel ABS
• Electronic Stability Control
• Airbags for front seat head and side
• Traction control for preventing slippage
• Adjustable front upper seat belt
• Rear seat head restraint
• Daytime running lights
• Rear center shoulder belt
• Tire pressure monitor

The new X5 still beats the Mercedes M-Class in its handling and performance, but if you are looking for a little less luxury and performance for a cheaper car, the Acura MDX stacks up well overall. However for the BMW enthusiast, this X5 and particulary the new diesel model, is still in a class of its own.