2007 BMW X5 - Review

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Enlarge PhotoInside is where the action is. In keeping with the Joneses, BMW offers space for up to seven occupants with the newly available third-row seating. The last two seats are mainly there for show, as the only adult you’ll be able to fit in them would have to be a circus midget. With the third row seats down, the boot carries 620L of cargo space, but this is still much less than Audi’s Q7. Up front, an i-Drive controller makes its way onto the centre console, next to BMW’s new electronic gear shifter that will soon be featured across the range. The instrument panel, particularly the gauge cluster, has been updated and now resembles that seen in its 5-series stable mate. The X5 also gets the cool heads-up display system first seen in high-spec versions of the 5-series. About time, we say.

The old X5 was particularly tight in interior space, but BMW has addressed these issues somewhat by offering more space all around for the passengers. It still feels tight in the driver’s seat, but there is some solace in the fact that both the driver and front passenger pews now feature 10-way electrical adjustments. The updated sound system is reasonably good quality, with 12 speakers and MP3 playback. Optional appointments include four zone climate controlled air conditioning and a remote controlled 8in DVD system. Like most BMWs, things can get seriously out of hand when the salesman offers you the options list.