For Few big 4x4s drive as well as the X5. It's more agile than such a big 4x4 has any right to be, with strong performance and good economy.
Against The ride is a little firm over rough surfaces. The X5 looks expensive next to a Land Rover Discovery, and it's not as practical.
Brilliant to drive on the road and pretty good off it. Economy is impressive if you choose our favourite model, the 3.0d SE, although a Land Rover Discovery is more practical.
If you want a big 4x4 that drives more like a sports saloon, the X5 is the one. Which is best? We can’t see any reason to look beyond the 30d. It’s impressively swift, yet still manages impressive fuel economy and has lower emissions than the rest of the range.
The more powerful diesel is quicker and isn't much less economical, but it does cost a lot more. The 402bhp 50i is utterly crazy – brilliant, but you'll need a Premiership footballer's income to buy and run it.
There’s a choice between two trim levels. To most eyes, the aggressively styled M Sport model looks better than the entry-level SE. However, the sports suspension hurts ride comfort. We’d save a few pounds, enjoy cushier suspension, and take the SE.
It’s worth buying the BMW Service Inclusive package, which covers servicing costs for five years/60,000 miles for a one-off payment and helps keep resale values healthy.
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