An ideal daily driver
The BMW X5 has been on Kiwi roads for almost a quarter of a century. BY BEN SELBY.
Since its 2002 launch, more than 6000 X5s have found themselves in homes across New Zealand, making it one of the most popular of all Beamers, topping the sales statistics 17 times.
Currently in its fourth generation, BMW has now treated customers to a Sports Collection, giving a generous helping of extra equipment without a serious hike in price. Take my X5 xDrive 30d, for example. BMW has added features like metallic paint, 22-inch alloys and its M-Sport Pro package with M-Sport Brakes, M Seatbelts, M-Sports Exhaust and Sun Protection Glazing, to name a few. I love the blacked-out kidney grill and other accents. The Brooklyn Grey Metallic coupled with these just make this X5 really pop.
A 3.0L twin-turbo diesel six-cylinder engine is united with a 48v mild hybrid battery pack to send this fusion of diesel and subtle electric boost to all four wheels, naturally, via BMW’s proven xDrive AWD system. The combination of that means you have some delightfully progressive punch. Certainly, it isn’t a kick in the guts, yet find still plenty of linear and torquey goodness. Dynamically in Comfort mode, there is a slight wallow when you corner at gentle speeds, yet this changes when you firm things up in Sport Mode.
Inside is a collage of M badges, Verino perforated black upholstery, black wood trim, and ambient lighting. BMW’s 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional touchscreen infotainment display is still as sharp and intuitive as ever, and BMW’s Connected Drive is on hand with features you can utilise via your BMW app. You might utilise this by setting the cabin temperature to your liking on a cold morning before you hop in.
Open the X5’s automatic split tailgate, and loading, and unloading, all your equipment is a doddle, as I found while loading up for a jaunt to Hagley Oval for a cricket double header. Despite riding on 22-inch alloys, this X5 also manages to handle broken surfaces and bumps without much trouble. A smattering of tyre roar can be heard on more coarse tarmac, however it still rides with a grand degree of refinement.
I believe the X5 30d is the sweet spot in the range. In terms of a daily drive and weekend tourer, the 30d has more than ample grunt for driving exuberance married with real world frugality and practicality. Plus, the Sport Collection additives make the latest instalment of the original BMW luxury SUV an even more compelling buy.
FACT FILE
2025 BMW X5 xDrive30d Sport Collection Edition
Base Price: $151,900
Engine: 3.0L Twin-Turbo Diesel 6-Cylinder
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 219kW
Torque: 670Nm
Combined Fuel Consumption: 7.8L/100km
0 to 100kph: 6.3 seconds
Drivetrain: AWD
