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Follow-Up Test: 2001 BMW X5
All the Sport, None of the Utility
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By Neil Dunlop
Date posted: 12-21-2000
We never like to be wrong. We were expecting to be underwhelmed by the 3.0-liter
version of the X5. There's no way, we thought, it can do anything but disappoint
us.
It'll be like a sluggish minivan, we whined. BMW has sold out, we moaned.
In fact, said we, the vehicle's very existence dilutes the brand and cheapens
the 4.4-liter X5, which we consider a rippin' sports car in SUV clothing.
After driving the 3.0-liter X5 for a week, however, we now see how stupid
we were to doubt BMW. "Yah, yah," they're saying in BMW's Munich head office.
"Vot ver you t'inking?"
The X5 3.0i is propelled by BMW's silky-smooth inline six-cylinder engine,
which is also found in several of Bimmer's 3 and 5 Series models. Frankly,
it was this fact that made us skeptical. We wondered if the same engine,
which is spirited in the smaller sedans, could propel the X5 with equal
élan. After all, the 330i Sedan weighs in at 3,366 pounds while
the X5 3.0i tips the scales at a porcine 4,519 lbs.
Our skepticism was replaced by wonder. The X5 3.0i is as much an "Ultimate
Driving Machine" as any other BMW. In terms of pure fun, it even rivals
its big brother, the 282-horsepower, V8-powered X5 4.4i. The argument for
the 3.0i becomes even more compelling when you consider that its price of
entry is $10,000 cheaper than the base 4.4i and it is also much less a gas
pig.
The 225-horsepower 3.0i provides good take off at stoplights and will even
continue to accelerate while ascending a steep grade. This certainly eclipses
the performance of the six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz ML320 and even makes the
240-horsepower V6 Infiniti QX4 seem a little sluggish in comparison.
The optional five-speed automatic transmission with "Sport" and "Steptronic"
modes provides a number of tranny options, all of which add greatly to driving
enjoyment. Left in normal automatic mode, upshifts and downshifts occurred
exactly when we wanted them. Then, when we got tired of the pretender in
the Pathfinder who wouldn't let us merge on to the freeway, we simply tapped
the shifter to the left and an "S" appeared on the dash to let us know we
were in "Sport" mode. In this mode, shifts are more aggressive and the X5
accelerates with noticeably more attitude. Buh-bye. From this position we
could also choose to make all our own shifting decisions by tapping the
shifter up for upshifts and down for downshifts, all sans clutch.
The 3.0i also possesses all of the excellent handling characteristics about
which we raved during our
2000 road test of the 4.4i. The 4-wheel independent suspension with
gas-pressurized shocks on all four corners not only keeps all four wheels
on the road even when it's bumpy but also does an excellent job of transmitting
road feel directly to the driver through the sturdy steering wheel and comfortable
leather-clad seat.
Thanks to the nearly perfect (50.3/49.7) front/rear weight distribution
and solid-feeling rack-and-pinion steering, the X5 provides rock-solid,
immediate response so that the truck goes exactly where you point it when
you point it there.
And, here's a huge bonus: in recent Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety crash testing the 2001 X5 3.0i received
the highest crash-test safety ratings of any midsize sport-utility vehicle,
beating even the Mercedes M Class and Lexus RX 300. It was praised for its
superior body structure and safety cage, numerous airbags, standard antilock
brakes and electronic stability control.
All this while ensconced in typical BMW luxury, too. We were very impressed
with the interior design of the 4.4i and the 3.0i has the identical interior,
complete with real wood trim, leather upholstery and high-grade dash materials.
Comfort and convenience features are also legion, including: rain-sensing
wipers, heated seats, heated steering wheel, auto up/down windows, power
moonroof, adjustable center console armrest, sonar parking assist, self-dimming
interior and exterior mirrors, and a marvelous 12-speaker premium audio
system with CD.
Unfortunately, the 3.0i also possesses the same inconveniences as the 4.4i,
such as: door-mounted window controls that are hidden behind the beefy door
handles; no standard lumbar control (it's a $400 option); confusing audio
controls and a display that washes out in the sunlight; and similarly confusing
climate control switchgear.
However, after a few days to become accustomed to these quirks, we think
they wouldn't bother us too much. Besides, the 3.0i is just too good a vehicle
to dismiss over trifles. We think an effortless supply of power, excellent
handling and superior comfort are the hallmarks of BMW. The X5 3.0i scores
well on all three criteria, making it a bona fide BMW.
Let's be clear, though — this is not a bona fide sport-utility
vehicle. In fact, BMW is very careful to call the X5 a SAV, or sport activity
vehicle. The low (7.1-inch) ground clearance, low-profile 17-inch tires
and lack of low-range gearing do not a Jeep Wrangler make. Heck, the X5
is hardly better than the all-wheel-drive BMW 330xi Sedan when it comes
to off-road capability.
And in terms of utility, the X5 fails miserably. Although it weighs nearly
as much as a Chevrolet Tahoe, its 54 cubic feet of cargo capacity is 13
cu. ft. less than that offered by the Honda CR-V. Also, the clamshell
tailgate design is unwieldy. Not only does it require you to reach over
the tailgate to get inside the cargo area, which puts your duds at risk
from soiling, but the liftover height is awkward. At above waist level for
a 6-foot person, the gate is too high to easily load heavy items. The optional
sliding load floor ($400) means you don't have to get as close to the tailgate,
but it doesn't help the liftover problem at all. And if you've got a dog
that can't jump like Lassie, he or she will have a hard time entering and
exiting the rear of the vehicle.
The elevated driving position and all-wheel drive may make the X5 look like
a sport-ute, but be not mistaken - it only looks like an SUV. However, this
is likely BMW's intention. The astute manufacturer recognized the sport-ute
craze and decided to cash in. It knew that few luxury SUV owners ever take
their vehicles off-road, so, rather than building a truck to navigate the
wilderness, it built a pure BMW driving machine that just looks like
a truck.
"Yah, yah. Now you are getting yit."
See all the Ratings: 2001 BMW X5 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 5M) Road Test Scoreboard
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