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BMW X5 Test Drive Review
Date: 22 August 2014
You might not expect to see a large, premium 4x4 in BusinessCar's green edition but this BMW X5 is as clean and economical as the German manufacturer's original SUV has ever been.
As well as the usual suite of plush four-wheel drive versions, the latest generation is available with two-wheel drive - a first for the X5 - which brings the emissions down to a range low of 149g/km and official fuel economy up to 50.4mpg. That might not sound earth-shattering by modern efficiency standards, but it's very good going for a car of this size, shape and weight.
BusinessCar tested the M-sport version, which isn't quite as economical with 151g/km and 49.6mpg, rendering it one benefit-in-kind band higher, but it looks the part and drives as well as you'd expect a big, posh BMW to. Crucially, the sDrive rear-wheel drive model doesn't feel at all underpowered courtesy of its 218hp and 8.2-second 0-62mph time, so fans of the marque won't be disappointed with the driving experience. Most X5 drivers aren't likely to venture off-road to any great degree either, so trading a heavy 4x4 system for superior economy is arguably a no-braine
