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Road Test

BMW X5 3.0d

Test Date 09 May 2007  Price When New £40,970

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Verdict

BMW might not have created the executive sport utility vehicle with the first X5, but it did define how well these cars can be made to perform on the road. This new model shows that the company still knows how. The adoption of double wishbone front suspension has doubtless played its part in the improvement of the X5 driving experience; this is now a car that goes down the road in a more rewarding way than any SUV this side of a Porsche Cayenne.

And the rest of it? The X5’s comfort levels are beyond serious question, it feels soundly built, accommodates five well and its economy, while by no means frugal, is not overtly profligate either. But there are other SUVs that do things better: a Range Rover Sport will go further off road and an Audi Q7 will seat seven far more easily. But no rival is quite able to combine the blend of abilities that best suit how these cars are used like the X5 does. Which is enough to make it the best car in this class.

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