Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW X5 (2013-2018) review - bulky but very capable - BMW X5 design

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

Design

While there’s nothing wrong per se with the ‘F15’ third-generation X5, you only have to see one alongside the original ‘E53’ car to see how much it has grown over the years. It is marginally lower than its immediate predecessor, the ‘E70’, but it is otherwise expanding with each iteration. It’s now close to five metres long and two metres wide, so although BMW has trimmed the weight compared to the second-gen car, almost all models weigh comfortably in excess of two tonnes.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Its size does mean the X5 can be a seven-seat SUV, something the original car was not. There’s a whole wealth of alloy wheel designs and colours on offer for customers too, as well as customisation options, while two styling packs (Pure Excellence Design and Pure Experience Design) can add anything from £1160 to £3655 to the bill.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses
Ford Focus ST Mk3
Features

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses

We’d hoped the 2015 Focus ST would share a good dose of its little brother’s magic. Sadly, it didn’t
28 Apr 2025
The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever
Ferrari 296 Speciale – front
News

The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever

The 296 Speciale is the latest in Ferrari's line of mid-engined road racers, packing 868bhp and LaFerrari-beating pace on track
29 Apr 2025
Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2025 review – the ultimate Nürburgring toy
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Manthey front
Reviews

Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2025 review – the ultimate Nürburgring toy

Did the 992 GT3 RS need to be made more extreme? Posssibly not. We're glad Manthey Racing has done it, though.
28 Apr 2025