2015 BMW X5 Pros vs Cons
When it comes to cars, James Murdock has the real-world experience to back it up. With an economics degree and over 20 years running the family dealership, he's managed it all - from sales to service and marketing. His role is to provide his expert opinion on vehicle performance and value. He meticulously fact checks all features and data with vehicle manufacturers to ensure the upmost accuracy.
The 2015 BMW X5 trim options include the sDrive35i, xDrive35i, xDrive35d and xDrive50i. A notable addition to the 2015 edition is the standard leather finish on the steering wheel in all models. The Executive Package or Luxury Line can add plenty of great optional features into this luxurious mid-size SUV.
Ten Reasons to Buy a 2015 BMW X5 - The Pros
1 Three Powerful Engine Options
The BMW X5 sDrive35i and xDrive35i are equipped with a 3.0 L TwinPower Turbo engine that's rated at 300 horsepower. The xDrive35d trim comes with a similar 3.0 L six-cylinder engine that is optimized to run on diesel fuel and generate up to 255 horsepower. Capable of whipping out up to 445 hp, the 4.4 L V8 TwinPower engine is the highlight under the hood of the xDrive50i trim.
2 Lavish Interior
Dakota leather upholstery is available for all of the seats in this BMW. The fine finish is combined with poplar wood trimming that adds extra sophistication to the cabin. Velour carpeting also enhances the interior much better than traditional floor mats.
3 Convenient Climate Control
The automatic climate control system in the BMW X5 features two zones in order to accommodate the specific comfort levels of the driver and front passenger. Automatic air recirculation takes the hassle out of making frequent adjustments to the system. Activated charcoal is also integrated into the cabin air filter in order to improve the quality of air in the entire vehicle. The front seats boast three-stage heating elements for keeping the driver and front passenger warm during the winter.
4 Amazing Ergonomics
The front cabin in the BMW X5 xDrive50i comes with 20-way power seats that have contoured shaped with lumbar supports. The other trims come with 10-way power front seats that also boast memory position functions. Thanks to the central armrest, passengers in the rear seats can also stay comfortable during a long drive.
5 Nimble Drive
Test drivers praise the "athletic" handling of the 2015 BMW X5 thanks to the eight-speed automatic transmission system. The Sport Mode makes it easy to accelerate swiftly on the highway and maintain a fast cruising speed. The All Wheel Drive (AWD) combines nicely with the advanced Adaptive Transmission Control design. Inspired by the drivetrain of sports cars, Rear Wheel Drive comes standard in the sDrive35i and xDrive35i models. The Electric Power Steering is linked to signature Servotronic technology for excellent control of this luxurious SUV.
6 Automatic Controls For Convenient Drive
To improve the visibility of the road, the right side mirror automatically tilts when the BMW X5 cruises on an elevated terrain. The rear view mirror also has an automatic dimming function that activates in dark conditions. Additionally, both side mirrors boast responsive dimming designs. The automatic headlamps take the hassle out of manually adjusting the high or low beams. Auto-leveling headlights are engineered to illuminate hilly roads that might have poor visibility.
7 High-Tech Digital Console
The centerpiece of the cabin is a 10.2-inch touchscreen that includes a navigation system. This digital console comes with an internal 200 GB hard disk drive. About 20 GB of space is available to store songs in MP3 format and other audio files. BMW Online with MyInfo and Advanced Real Time Traffic Information are some of the useful services that are integrated into the navigation system. The nine speakers in the audio system are perfect for listening to HD Radio. A 205-watt amplifier improves the sound quality inside this luxurious BMW SUV. There's also a port that's ready to accept a SiriusXM Satellite Radio tuner that may be installed at the dealership.
8 Digital Safety Features
The 2015 BMW X5 is equipped with rollover sensors that control the deployment of airbags and tightening of seat belts. The crash sensor automatically disconnects the battery terminal and fuel pump in order to prevent the risk of explosions that may occur during a collision.
9 Extra Protection For Occupants
Head restraints are available in all of the seats inside the BMW X5. The Head Protection System is also designed to protect the faces and upper bodies of all passengers. The traditional supplemental restraint system is enhanced with dual-threshold in the front airbags.
10 Reliable Braking
Ventilated disc brakes are installed on all four wheels of the BMW X5. Traditional anti-locking braking technology is improved with advanced features such as Dynamic Brake Control and Brake Face Compensation. Brake Drying is engineered to improve stopping power when the road is slippery.
Reasons you may not want to buy a 2015 BMW X5 - The Cons
1 Expensive Price Tag
With a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of over $50,000 for the base sDrive35i trim, the BMW X5 is expensive even for drivers who don't mind sparing some extra dollars on a luxurious car. An upgrade to the premium xDrive50i trim spikes the starting price to more than $70,000.
2 Limited Cargo Space
For a mid-size SUV, the BMW X5 has a relatively small amount of cargo space. The 40/20/40 rear seats have to be sacrificed in order to make room for large baggage or other equipment. When this BMW is filled with passengers to maximum capacity, a cargo attachment on the black matte roof rails will most likely have to be used to bring along supplies for a road trip.
3 Lack Of Accident Prevention Technology
For such a hefty price tag, it's surprising that the 2015 BMW X5 doesn't have advanced digital alerts for minimizing accidents such as lane departure warning or blind spot monitoring.
