Some cars you just know are fast, others have a flashy appearance to compensate for a lack of performance and then there's the 2014 BMW X5, a hot rod disguised as a sport utility vehicle.
Our $73,000 X5 tester was the top-shelf 50i model with a twin turbocharged 4.4-liter, V8 engine. BMW seamlessly blends luxury and cargo capacity in its flagship all-wheel-drive SUV and leaves it up to the driver to discover the X5's astonishing power and coupe-like handling.
BMW actually calls the X5 a "sport activity vehicle" rather than an SUV, which I agree better suits our tester, considering the X5's low ground clearance and 20-inch, low-profile tires. While the X5's sophisticated all-wheel-drive provided peace of mind when I got caught in sleet and then snow on an early spring commute, this BMW, with its robust exhaust note, seemed better suited for the drag strip than picking its way along a rocky dirt road.
When I took the wheel of the X5, I had only a vague notion of the beast under the hood. The first few days, I soaked up the interior's distinctive European leather aroma and dialed in the seemingly infinitely adjustable driver's seat that provided firm support with just enough comfort. I focused on the superb handling that kept the X5 flat through the corners with a decent amount of steering feedback.
Initially, I drove the compact SUV the same way I drive my own car, using the cruise control to conserve fuel. One day on my way to work, I thought I forgot my laptop. I pulled off the highway to check, and sure enough it was in the back. Now I had to find a gap in traffic and get the X5 up to highway speed. I toggled through the X5's drive modes from "Eco Pro," which boosts fuel economy, and the road- dulling "Comfort" mode to the "Sport Plus" mode, which ramps up throttle response, adjusts the shift points of the 8-speed transmission and stiffens the suspension.
After waiting for traffic to clear, I stomped the accelerator. The BMW's 445 horses came to life and I was thrust into my seat. The sides of the road blurred and the tachometer jumped far to the right with each precision shift. Cars in the rearview mirror vanished and glancing at the speedometer, I was suddenly well beyond the 5-10 miles per hour of speed limit grace that most state troopers grant motorists. I laid off the accelerator and set the cruise control to an appropriate speed. I couldn't wait for the toll booth up ahead to do it all over again.
City fuel economy at 14 miles per gallon is certainly a downside to the X5's powerful V8 engine. BMW does offer the X5 with a turbo-charged inline 6-cylinder and a diesel option as well, both of which greatly improve the SUV's fuel economy. On top of the $68,000 base price, the X5 has several trim packages. We had the $3,600 M Sport line, which includes upgraded seats and transmission along with "M" badging on the steering wheel, foot rest, and door sills. The X5 50i is a bit overpriced considering the absence of safety technology such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and lane departure warning, some of which are available at an extra cost.
Even with a large rear cargo area that expands with fold-down rear seats, the X5 was a thrill to drive, and it lives up to BMW's reputation, a well-built luxury car with an emphasis on performance.
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