BMV X5

2008 BMW X5 Summary
The 2008 X5 is a 4-door, up to 7-passenger luxury sport-utility, available in two trims, the 3.0si Sports Activity Vehicle and the 4.8i Sports Activity Vehicle.

Upon introduction, the 3.0si Sports Activity Vehicle is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 260-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on the highway. The 4.8i Sports Activity Vehicle is equipped with a standard 4.8-liter, V8, 350-horsepower engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

The 2008 X5 is a carryover from 2007.

What reviewers liked most about the BMW X5:

"...manual gearbox, lightweight six-cylinder, and tush-friendly suspension made the test vehicle pretty close to wonderful."
—USA Today

"Keeping this hot-rodded X5 [4.6i] glued to the ground is a sport suspension with... exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels."
—Edmunds.com

"Crash-testing of the X5 has allowed it to set new standards in front- and side-impact protection."
—Edmunds.com

"It may be the best-handling SUV on the road. It almost feels like an oversized rally car."
—New Car Test Drive

"...the X5 can handle anything a graded surface can throw at it...including" a severe case of red clay mud."
—Woman Motorist

"At highway speeds... a tiny poke at the accelerator seems to levitate the X5 above and beyond fellow travelers."
—The Car Connection

"The X5 wants to be driven like a sports car. The five-speed Steptronic transmission can be easily used like a stick, downshifting with a snick or two of the lever for turns, sometimes instead of braking."
—New Car Test Drive

What reviewers liked least about the BMW X5:

"...this isn't what we'd call a highly capable off-road vehicle. And cargo capacity isn't a strong point."
—New Car Test Drive

"Four-wheel drive: Inferior to less-sophisticated, conventional systems in snow and ice."
—USA Today

"...a full-size spare tire... was an 18-inch Michelin in our X5 that was shod with the 19-inch Bridgestones."
—Car and Driver

"...a jarring ride on all but the smoothest blacktop..."
—Car and Driver

BMW X5 Comparisons:

"Compared to the Mercedes ML430, the X5's track is one inch wider and it rides 2.2 inches lower."
—New Car Test Drive

Best one-liners about the BMW X5:

"If the AMG Benz is for horsepower extremists, the X5 [4.4i] is still a power hitter-the Sammy Sosa to Mark McGuire of SUVs, maybe."
—New Car Test Drive

"...looks like a 540i wagon on steroids..."
—New Car Test Drive

"The X5 doesn't just ferry occupants through the urban jungle; it exempts them from it."
—The Car Connection