BMW X5: The frugal man’s Bimmer

I know, I know, my chosen head doesn’t make much sense — but hear me out. True, automobiles churned out by the auto-maker from Bavaria have always been known for their driving dynamics, advanced safety features and overall ability to provide sheer driving pleasure. True, the last thing these automobiles are is inexpensive. But whoever said that luxury and efficiency must necessarily be exclusive of each other? We test-drove an X5 recently and proved to ourselves that reports of BMWs being gas-guzzlers have been greatly exaggerated. Here’s our story.

With the recent entry of the new BMW X3 into the Philippine market, BMW Philippines’ corporate communications manager Lito German had been burning the phone lines offering motoring journalists (this writer included) the chance to test-drive their newest offering. Unfortunately, his attempts to lend the said vehicle were hindered by the company’s inability to acquire a license plate for their test unit. In a country where efficient processing of necessary documents for any entity takes a backseat to senseless politicking any day, it comes as no surprise, really. So on the week before the elections took place, the amiable Lito appeased this writer’s anxiety by sending instead a BMW X5 straight to this writer’s garage. Touché.

We had, of course, already driven the X5 not too long ago so the vehicle’s driving dynamics were nothing new to us. It would’ve been utterly foolish, however, to let another opportunity to drive an X5 pass us by — so darnit we took it! This time around, however, instead of taking it ’round the mountains of Antipolo for twists and turns and ups and downs, we decided to drive up north — in straight flatlands leading to Pampanga. From there, we drove the X5 all the way to Alabang then back to our abode in Mandaluyong. We figured that since we already knew how the X5 behaved on the road, we’d take more time to focus on other aspects of its character — like its fuel efficiency, for example.

Here‘s the verdict — the X5 is among the most fuel-efficient vehicles we’ve ever test driven. We have the X5’s revised in-line six-cylinder turbo diesel engine to thank for this. The new Common Rail Diesel technology of the X5 3.0d transmits the vehicle’s torque-y power efficiently through a six-speed automatic gearbox. In fact, it was so efficient that we averaged a little over 11 kilometers per liter on a vehicle as big the average Filipino’s garage! Hey, in this time of continuously skyrocketing fuel prices, even those blessed with the ability to acquire such wonderful pieces of engineering would do well to take note of how mileage can be maximized.

Upon indulging in further research, we learned later on that during the recently-concluded Department of Energy Fuel Economy Run, the BMW X5 actually topped the Sports Utility Vehicle category. In the said activity, the participating X5 actually did an even more impressive 12.201 kilometers per liter! This while running at speeds between 60 and 80 kph and with the airconditioner on. So why did this writer not average the same consumption? Hehe. We were driving an X5 along open roads, of course we pushed the vehicle a bit! But just a wee bit...okay, Lito? Just the same, a little over 11 kilometers per liter on the average can’t be considered bad.

The bottom line is that the BMW X5 turned out to be quite the frugal vehicle — despite its lofty stature. Quite a surprise we know, but since when did BMW run out of surprises in their vehicles? The X5 is also quite practical given the Filipino setting — we experience flash floods during the rainy season, we have some of the most pathetic roads on this side of Earth, etc. All these concerns are the kind that the X5 tackles with ease. Darnit, you’d think those Bavarian engineers designed the X5 with Pinoys in mind. Who wouldn’t want one? And we haven’t even begun to talk about the X5‘s stunning looks — but then that’s another story altogether. One that would take up a lot more space than we have at the moment, too.