What is it?
BMW’s big – and surprisingly useful – SUV. It’s easy to overlook the X5, pressed on one side by the Range Rover Sport and Audi Q7 and on the other by the wrong sort of headlines attracted by the X6. It’s easy to forget that this, not the Porsche Cayenne, was the SUV that really introduced road car dynamics to this sector. It costs £41,715 in SE trim.

Technical highlights?
The X5 will be updated this summer, gaining an eight-speed gearbox and cleaner engines (read about that here), so there’s not much on the current model that warrants attention. Apart from the tyres. The Pirelli Scorpions are the SUV version of the Pirelli Sotto Zeros we’ve got fitted to the long term Jaguar XFR, and as fitted to the X5 they proved pretty tremendous in the white stuff.

What’s it like to drive?
Not as good as I expected, to be honest. I suspect this has something to do with the tyres – not the compound or tread, but the fact these Pirellis boasted a 315 width measurement. This brings all the compromises in terms of ride patter, noise and thump that you’d expect from a set of 20-inch rims. The X5 does well to combat the worst effects of this, but you just know it would be that bit quieter and gentler on a smaller set of wheels. To be fair to BMW, 255/55 R18s are standard on the xDrive30d – but have you ever seen one wearing them? Quite.

With the big wheels the X5 strikes a curious balance – not as hard and agile as a Cayenne, nor as cosseting as a Range Sport. As in other heavyweight SUVs you’re always aware of mass and physics working against you, but the suspension keeps the body in check well enough that you can get satisfaction from lining up and carving through a set of corners, the wide-track stance boosting confidence and aiding turn-in.

The 232bhp diesel doesn’t give it quite enough oomph to be interesting and, unless you self shift, seems to like to spend its time at the top of the slightly coarse rev band.

How does it compare?
Here’s the thing - I expected to prefer it to the Land Rover's finest, but now I’m not so certain. The long term Range Rover Sport we ran last year was so imperious, especially in adverse conditions and had a more measured approach that I think is truer to the role that these cars perform.

Anything else I need to know?
Two things, neither of them very evo. Firstly, it’s not that economical – expect about 25mpg – down almost 10mpg on BMWs 34.4mpg claim. Secondly it’s remarkably practical and well thought out inside. I expect BMW doesn’t like to mention the seven seat capacity, worried that doesn’t chime with the whole ‘ultimate driving machine’ thing, but it really is big and clever, with a host of MPV-type touches like sliding rear seats, flush-folding boot seats, massive door pockets, that sort of thing. Ahh, the thrill of stowage.

Click here to read about the new BMW X5