BMW X5 is Luxury SUV of The Year

Topping off this strong result was a special award for the newest arrival in the BMW X family – with its launch countdown already under way, the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 took the Eco Award for its innovative powertrain. This first full-hybrid model from the BMW brand uses its highly intelligent combination of internal combustion engine and electric drive to maximise both performance and efficiency. These latest successes in the Off Road readers’ poll seamlessly continued BMW’s strong performance of the previous years. The “Off-Roader of the Year” awards, which are decided by the votes of an exceptionally knowledgeable readership, were first presented in 1982. This year readers chose from a field of 97 models in eight categories.

The BMW X5’s first place in the “Luxury SUV” category is a further indication that the Sports Activity Vehicle concept – a segment first pioneered by BMW in 1999 with the predecessor of the current model – is still a firm favourite. The combination of sporty on-road handling and surefooted off-road traction was a hit right from the start. With its intelligent BMW xDrive all-wheel drive, powerful and efficient engines and an interior which is both flexible and luxuriously equipped, the current BMW X 5 is doing even more to set the standards in its class.

In the “Crossover” category, first and second places both went to BMW. After some internal jockeying, last year’s winner, the BMW X6, was beaten into second place by its brand sibling the X1, which was launched on the market just five months ago. The X1’s concept – which extends the hallmark fun-to-drive qualities of a BMX X model to the premium compact segment – was instantly voted into the number one spot by Off Road’s readers. The BMW X1 impresses with its sporty handling, versatile interior and unrivalled efficiency for a vehicle in this category. The most fuel-efficient X1 is the BMW X1 sDrive18d, which achieves average fuel consumption of 5.2 litres/100 km in the EU test cycle. The X1’s outstanding safety standards also earned it the highest Euro NCAP crash test rating of 5 stars. In spring 2010, two new engines will be added to the range with the arrival of the new BMW X1 sDrive18i entry-level model and the six-cylinder BMW X1 xDrive25i. The X1 line-up will then comprise three petrol and three diesel engines.

Credits: wilswong