Exploring Vancouver with the 2013 BMW X5

Touring a city for the first time from behind the wheel of a new car or even an old car for that matter never fails to flatter the venue.

So imagine the good vibes when I drove away from the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver behind the wheel of the brand-new 2014-model BMW X5 xDrive30d. Top Gear editor-in-chief Vernon Sarne and I shared a silver-gray test unit—one that we would drive around Vancouver and its spectacular mountainous outskirts for a day.

The 2014 X5 is the third generation of BMW’s pioneering Sport Activity Vehicle (SUV in BMW-speak). It was the first among the Bavarian marque’s “X” range of off-roaders, which also comprises the X6, X3 and X1. It’s instantly recognizable as an X5, with very similar proportions and overall dimensions to its two predecessors.

The trademark twin-kidney grille and quad headlamps are there—bigger and bolder than before. The front bumper is heavily detailed, with round driving lamps set above huge air intakes that bracket the license plate.

The side view is particularly distinctive, with a crisp, pinched character line that runs from the front fender all the way to the tail lamps. There is a cooling vent behind the front wheels that underscore the car’s sporting aspirations. The signature dogleg angle of a BMW’s rear quarter window is highlighted by a thick strip of chrome that gracefully frames the side windows.

I particularly like the way the D-pillar deceives the eye into thinking that the rear of the car is sharply raked—a styling feature that is sleek and sexy but eats up rear cargo space. The D-pillar is steeply raked but, looking at the backlight from the side reveals a more upright angle—and a commodious cargo area. Genius.

Of course, the most brilliant aspect of any BMW is its performance. And while the X5 30d is currently the “entry-mid-level” X5 (it’s joined by the range-topping 450hp X5 50i with the big twin-turbo 4.4-liter gasoline V8, the X5 40d, the X5 35i, the 381hp triple-turbo 6-cylinder common-rail diesel engine X5 M50d with a monster 740Nm of torque and, on the lower end, the X5 25d), it’s certainly no slouch. Powered by a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder CRDi motor developing 258hp and an incredible 560Nm of torque, the X5 30d accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in a scant 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 230 km/h. Those numbers would shame quite a few sports cars—highly impressive for a vehicle that weighs more than two-and-a-half tons.  

And while all engines deliver more power than their predecessors, they produce fewer and cleaner exhaust emissions and consume less fuel (thanks partly to an advanced and highly efficient 8-speed automatic and BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology that’s available across the board). All models meet the highest-ever EU6 emissions standards.

We crawled along city traffic, cruised on highways, blasted past slower cars on serpentine mountain roads, and even went on an off-road drive through some very challenging terrain that required us to fiddle with the X5’s state-of-the-art xDrive off-road-driving hardware and software (which includes Dynamic Performance Control as part of the Dynamic and Professional adaptive suspension packages, plus a cool xDrive status display on the dash that lets you see how the vehicle is coping in rough terrain).

The car shrugged off everything we threw at it—all the while delivering uncanny feedback from the cutting-edge aluminium-intensive suspension and electric power steering, scintillating performance from the torquey engine, and impressive comfort and luxury from the plush ride and interior amenities.

Inside the finely crafted cabin, the new X5 boasts more room and more luxury. Interior (and exterior) features can be ordered in almost any combination. While most X5’s are 5-seaters, they can also be fitted with an optional third-row seat to make it a 7-seater in a 2-3-2 configuration. The power-actuated tailgate can be opened and closed from the driver’s seat—convenient for mall guards who never seem to be able to figure out how to open the tailgates of these cars.  

Other high-tech innovations include a Head-Up Display; Night Vision with human and animal detection and Dynamic Light Spot, Lane Change Warning, and Speed Limit Info; Parking Assistant with longitudinal and lateral guidance; Surround View with 360-degree display; Driving Assistant including Lane Departure Warning, plus Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with braking function; Driving Assistant Plus with Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function including braking to a standstill; Traffic Jam Assistant with active speed and steering angle control without driver input; extensive range of mobility and internet-based services such as Concierge Services, Remote Services, Intelligent Emergency Call, Real Time Traffic Information, and internet access (including the very cool in-car use of Facebook and Twitter), plus dictation function with full speech recognition for emails, SMS and memos, and last but not least, online entertainment (including a Touch Controller for the optional navigation system; Bang & Olufsen Surround Sound system, and new rear-seat entertainment system with two displays). Whew!

No price has been announced for the new X5, but it shouldn’t be far off from the outgoing model’s P5 million-plus price point. Expensive, yes—but worth every peso. It’s that good.