BMW X5 Review: Image before Sense, or Cents?

It may not have the passenger ride quality you would typically imagine a BMW would provide, with the middle row being noticeably jittery even on normal roads. The chassis is quite rigid and it turns corners almost as if it were half its size.

While you still will be able to feel the lean angles because of its height, it will not fail to amaze you with its generous amounts of grip. Agreeably, it can be intriguingly fun and rather addictive. But pointless.

Also, though its reverse camera’s trajectory marker works adequately, you will not be able to see anything useful when it gets dark. That means it only works half the time for something you paid to work always.

And the gearbox is irritating. Every time you press the gear-shift button on its six-speed automatic, it clicks. Loudly and annoyingly.

See, if you want something that turns corners well, get the 3-Series Coupe. And if you want space together in the package, this is good, but just terribly excessive.

An XC90 4.4 V8 has 315 hp and 440 Nm to explode itself from starting point to destination, plus it costs a whole S$105,800 less. And if it counts, you will also be paying S$710 lesser road tax every year. Top it up with a little bit more and you could be better off having the XC90 V8 and a 1.4-litre Golf GT in the driveway. And at least you could be more confident bringing the Volvo out off-roading.

Also, a Porsche Cayenne S 4.8 V8, though slightly down on power, would cost S$308,000. And that's a premium marque. Need we say more?

ed. When in the market for one of these premium SUVs, you can't forget the luxurious but slower Range Rover Sport 4.4HSE that goes for S$309,000, and puts out an equally monstrous 299 hp and 425 Nm of torque, and is far more capable off-road. That said, the BMW X5, being a BMW, still is the best handling of the lot, and in its class, hands down.

Credits: Text by Andy Hum. Photos by Amery Reuben