The bow received blunt and dramatic lines, with bold air intakes/Walla! system, Rami Gilboa
Price:
NIS 740,000
Competitors:
Audi Q8, Mercedes GLE, Genesis GV80
We liked:
general refinement and homogeneity, hybrid drive, passenger cabin, road behavior
We didn't like:
price, trunk size
Score:
9.0/10
I haven't written the first sentence yet In this article, and I can already see the surfers' reactions: "Why is everything so expensive?"
Yezek calls A;
"In Canada it costs a quarter of the amount."
"The Chinese XYZ gives much more, at a third of the price" will write B.
"The Israelis remain suckers, push them a trash can for hundreds of thousands of shekels, and they will buy everything."
"I had an X5 for three years," will write C, who has never sat in a BMW, "and she visited the garage every day."
So the truth is, there is quite a bit of truth in these graceful responses;
No one needs to lay down 740,000 shekels in order to pass Israel through and through, it is possible to stand in traffic even with a Hyundai Getz 2005. And yes, there are cars that give better value for the shekel, than the BMW X5 standing in front of us.
The profile is drawn and elongated, the large representatives are placed in the corners.
The tires are very sporty/Walla system!, Rami Gilboa
But whoever treats a premium car in this way misses the whole point.
I won't buy an X5 either, and in my day-to-day life I drive a car that costs 8% of the price of the test car.
The question is not what I (or an anonymous reader) drive, but - am I able to observe the car from the point of view of someone who is very different from me?
Richer, more accomplished and more extroverted, one who has already tasted many luxury cars, and now he is looking for the next step?
Such a person does not want to make an economical deal, he is looking for the premium feeling, the last indulgence, the comfort of driving that cannot be achieved without air suspensions, for example.
And yes, he has no problem absorbing an annual depreciation that is more than the price of my car or yours.
So why not?
I applaud, and suggest you also calm down the trumpets.
And for the matter of fact - the renewed X5 comes to Israel in two versions; 30d diesel with 7 seats with a power of 298 hp and a torque of 68.3 kgm, at a price of 691 thousand shekels.
The xDrive 50e test vehicle in the M-Expressive trim level is a 5-seater plug-in hybrid, with a power of 489 hp and a torque of 71.3 kgm, the price as mentioned is 740 thousand shekels.
The Expressive diesel version will already cost you NIS 791,000, we haven't checked.
Alongside the X5, parallel versions of the X6 are offered for sale, in a sporty 'coupe' configuration.
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The pair of exhausts illustrate that this is not another tram/walla system!, Rami Gilboa
Design: We were pleased to discover a rather refined facelift, without the overgrowth of the kidney grill which received its own lighting.
The renewed nose is more blunt and pointed, the lighting units received a new signature, a black and blunt graphic element appeared under the pair of kidneys, the side air intakes were enlarged.
In a pearl white shade, the test car looks sporty-elegant in the right way - you can see that something has changed for the better, but there is no bombastic change in style that we have already seen from the Bavarian manufacturer.
In the side view, the silhouette is elegant and taut, the butt received a refined treatment.
The overall package is dynamic and modern than the outgoing one, without being too extroverted.
we loved
The dashboard is high quality and very technological.
The quality of the materials and workmanship, at the highest level/Walla! system, Rami Gilboa
Cabin:
The X5 welcomes you with a luxurious and inviting living space, built from premium materials at the highest level.
The hybrid version only has 5 seats, but they are spacious and extremely ergonomic, with countless adjustments that allow you to find an optimal driving position, heating, cooling, massage, whatever you want.
The design is solid and European, although nods to the important Chinese market can be detected: the iDrive dial and crystal-encrusted gear switch, as well as a row of illuminated arrows flickering in front of the eyes of the passenger on the right, is completely unnecessary.
I assume they can be turned off, I didn't bother looking for the submenu that controls this item.
The sitting position dominates, with plenty of interior space/Wala! system, Rami Gilboa
Two monitors are embedded in the panoramic dashboard, a central 14.9-inch dashboard and a 12.3-inch dashboard in front of the driver's eyes.
The displays are bright and clear, respond quickly and have a logical structure.
The only physical switch we found on the dashboard controls the volume, the other uses you will have to activate through the multimedia screen.
Despite many shortcut menus, I disagree with this trend, which requires you to poke around monitors and screens;
We were happy to hear recently that the European Safety Organization decided to fight this phenomenon, and force the manufacturers to return the physical switches to the driver's cabins.
This is good news that will take some time to see in the showrooms.
For the better, we should note that the X5 retains the physical iDrive control, but it does not free you from rummaging through the multimedia screens.
The trunk is not particularly large, opens with two horizontal doors (the lower one can be used as a seat or a table for making sandwiches)/Walla system!, Rami Gilboa
But let's go - overreliance on displays is a disease of the global car market and we hope that the Euroencap guidelines will set us back a bit, starting in 2026.
Beyond that, the passenger compartment of the X5 is a luxurious ergonomic gem, front and back.
With light brown upholstery it is also pleasing to the eye, a fine Harman Kardon sound system completes the experience.
The rechargeable battery is under the floor of the trunk whose volume has been reduced to only 500 liters, a bit small for this vehicle.
In the diesel version, the volume will increase to 550 liters and you will get two more small, useful and family-friendly seats.
The acoustic insulation is excellent, the doors tighten by themselves - the quality of the workmanship of the passenger cabin is one of the places where you see exactly where the money you pay went.
The threatening front contains an excellent hybrid setup, 4.8 seconds from zero to 100/Walla system!, Rami Gilboa
Engine, performance and fuel consumption:
the most significant improvement is the gasoline engine and the plug-in hybrid system attached to it.
The supercharged 6-piston gasoline engine with a volume of 3.0 liters provides 313 hp and 45.9 kg, a small increase compared to the outgoing model.
A more significant change appears in the electric system that provides 197 hp and 28.5 kg - the combined power is 489 hp at 5,000 rpm, and a very convincing 71.3 kg. The acceleration to 100 takes only 4.8 seconds , an impressive figure for a massive crossover weighing about 2.5 tons.
The rear doors open with the help of two electric motors/Walla! system, Rami Gilboa
A lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 25.7 kWh gives an electric driving range of about 100 kilometers; we were not able to get more than 70 kilometers until the gasoline started itself, but this is also a good figure. The charging time is 4.5 hours. It is common to test plug-in hybrids They can reduce pollution and provide a 'pure-electric' driving range, but I actually saw something else here; in 'hybrid' mode, the car whirrs, hiding between the two engines, giving a rare combination of performance and acceleration, while driving very quietly and refined. You have to be especially alert to notice when the gasoline engine comes into action, the transitions occur in perfect synchronization. At the same time, the car flies with every jump or rapid acceleration, and the sound of the gasoline does not take over the atmosphere. This is one of the most successful hybrid systems on the market.
Precisely when the battery is empty and the gasoline engine has to provide the accelerations on its own, you Notice how much the quiet thrust of electricity is missing. In 'Hybrid' mode, the 28.5 kg battery will accompany you for about 200 kilometers, during which you will enjoy a soft and quiet ride, in a very 'electric' style.
After that, the electric support drops, and the sound of the gasoline engine is more present in the passenger compartment - especially under acceleration, because in calm driving it maintains a very good level of refinement.
The only situation in which I discovered a non-smooth operation was in jumps from a standstill, when the battery is almost drained - it was rarely possible to feel a too sudden combination of the gasoline engine.
The fuel consumption is good for such a vehicle;
The realistic electric range may cover the full daily journey for many drivers.
Even for those who travel more, the car is still economical - up to a range of 300 kilometers we got 14 kilometers per liter, that's very nice.
Later, when we drove with minimal support of the electricity, the consumption dropped to 9-10 kilometers per liter, still very reasonable.
We really liked the performance, refinement and economy of the hybrid system;
Even so, for those who travel hundreds of kilometers a day, we would recommend checking out the diesel as well, which may prove to be more economical (although less enjoyable to drive, no doubt).
We will not bother you with the details of all the safety systems, connectivity and the dedicated application - you have everything, the list is closed.
There is also a luxurious and spacious living space in the back, with control of the air conditioner/Wala! system, Rami Gilboa
Comfort and road behavior:
a central element in the refinement of the ride are the adaptive air suspensions, which change their stiffness and the height of the chassis according to the driver's choice.
On the other hand, the test vehicle wore sports tires measuring 275/40R21 at the front, 315/35R21 at the rear.
This gives the 5X a sporty appearance, but compromises ride comfort and transmits tire screeching into the cabin.
The diesel version wears less extreme tires, on 20-inch rims.
The comfort of driving on the highway is excellent, but scarred Israeli asphalt manages to send blows to the passengers' buttocks, especially at urban speeds.
The general feeling is one of comfort and refinement, but every now and then you get a reminder that this is not Munich.
On a winding road and in 'Sport' mode we encountered some of BMW's beloved DNA;
With 2.5 tons and a high center of gravity, it's not an adrenaline-pumping M2, but the X5 is capable of weaving a mountain road at a very rewarding speed - strong accelerations between turns, a well-connected steering wheel although not particularly quick, biting and decisive braking.
The X5 manages to maintain something sharp and engaging in its demeanor, its wide tires and AWD drive providing excellent grip.
I guess most customers won't use the speed potential of the X5, but occasionally releasing some fast and furious section, it's fun.
Precisely in view of the limitations of size and weight, one can see BMW's great experience in creating mechanical harmony between the vehicle and the driver.
I loved every moment, what a shame the road ended!
And if you've run out of roads, don't fantasize about off-road driving - despite the 4x4 drive and pneumatic vehicle lift, I wouldn't try anything beyond a paved road: the car wears RunFlat tires that are very sensitive to side impact and for NIS 2,500 per tire, I wouldn't go on any off-road adventure.
I wouldn't take it down to much more technical terrain than a gravel path or a kurkar/walla system!, Rami Gilboa
The Bottom Line:
The BMW X5 was introduced in 1999, and created the premium sporty crossover segment.
25 years later this is still one of the most impressive and best crossovers, successfully combining utility and sporty flavor, refinement and performance, and now also an excellent hybrid option.
Yes, 740 thousand shekels is a lot of money for any car, even for affluent customers it is not just 'another hit in the wallet'.
But after hundreds of miles in the seats of the 5X I can see exactly where the money went, and why customers around the world are willing to pay its high price.
This is a very luxurious and luxurious car, technological and dynamic - a good choice for those who know how to appreciate the qualities, and stand by the price.
On the technical side: BMW xDrive 50e
Engine:
3.0 liter turbocharged gasoline + electric motor
Combined power (hp):
489/5,000
Combined torque (kgm):
71.3/1,750
Gearbox, drive:
8-speed automatic, dual drive
Battery (kWh) :
25.7
Maximum pure electric driving range:
104 km
Dimensions:
Length (meters):
4.935
Width (meters)
: 2.004
Height (meters):
1.775
Wheelbase (meters):
2.97.7
Trunk (liters):
500
Tires:
275/40R21 front, 315/35R21
rear curb weight (kg):
2,495
performance (manufacturer):
0-100 km/h (seconds):
4.8
top speed (km/h):
250
test fuel consumption (km/l) ):
9-14 in intercity driving
Safety:
Score in the European crash test:
5 out of 5 stars (in 2018)
Active safety:
autonomous braking in forward and reverse travel, adaptive cruise control with lane keeping, blind spot warning with active correction, Warning and braking against hitting vehicles at intersections at urban speeds, warning against cross traffic when driving forwards and backwards, 360 degree cameras
Warranty:
3 years or 100,000 km for the vehicle, 6 years or 100,000 km for the battery
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