Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW X5 (2013-2018) review - bulky but very capable - BMW X5 interior and tech

Good to drive and practical, but the X5's ever-increasing size counts against it in a few areas

Evo rating
RRP
from £44,575
  • Excellent build quality and capable chassis
  • It’s porky these days, other rivals have sharper drive

Interior and tech

It is a beautiful interior, no doubt about that – the days when BMW’s cabins used to be well thought out but quite staid are gone, and though it’s much more subtle than it once was, the driver-angled centre console on the dash is present and correct. Shame, then, that even though it is of a high quality, it’s not quite as special inside as the Porsche, Audi, Range Rover or even Volvo equivalents; it doesn’t move the game on considerably from its immediate predecessor. There’s plenty of space, although naturally the option of fitting two seats in the back (£1410) reduces the X5’s 650/1870-litre cargo capacity (seats up or down) in five-seat format.

Despite being well-equipped, luxurious and reasonably expensive, there’s a long list of options on which you can drop several thousands of pounds, meaning you could quickly end up with an X5 that’s deep into Range Rover Vogue price territory. Things such as Head-up Display (£995), sound systems that range from £485 for the BMW upgrade, £895 for the Harman Kardon and £3345 for a Bang & Olufsen set-up, rear-seat entertainment (£2130), a panoramic glass sunroof (£1295), soft-close doors (£485), night vision (£1750)… all of these are very nice, but will bump the BMW’s price up significantly.

 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused
Aston Martin Vantage S front
News

New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused

With a bump in power output among myriad detail changes, the Vantage S could be the ultimate driver’s Aston
8 Jul 2025
MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation
MST Ford Escort front
News

MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation

Costing a tenth of most made-new classics, the MST Mk1 Sports is comparatively accessible
8 Jul 2025