2017 BMW X5 Pros vs Cons

A favorite among the luxury SUV class, the 2017 BMW X5 offers a solid performance, interior luxury, and a range of features that make it worth its price tag. If you're in the market for a comfortable and reliable family vehicle, the X5 is a vehicle you might want to consider test-driving.

What's New for 2017?

There are only a few minor changes from the 2016 model. The 2017 BMW X5 no longer has the Active Steering option, but it now includes a wireless charging pad and Wi-Fi hot-spot so that you can surf the web from the comfort of your vehicle no matter where you are.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2017 BMW X5 – The Pros

1. Every Model Performs Well

Whether you opt for the 35i, 35d, 40e, or 50i trim level, you will receive an outstanding performance from your 2017 BMW X5. The 35i comes with rear-wheel drive, but all other trims come with all-wheel drive. Each has a powerful engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 40e has an electric motor and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a modified 8-speed automatic transmission that puts out an impressive 308 hp and 332 pounds-feet of torque, making it one of the more powerful hybrids on the market.

2. Comfortable Cabin

As can be expected from BMW, the cabin is not only luxurious, it is also comfortable. Rear Comfort seats boast an additional 3 inches of forward/backward maneuverability and have enhanced foam padding that creates extra comfort. The seating positions are comfortable for viewing the screens placed on the seats in front of them. All materials appear high-quality, and controls are placed in logical, easy-to-reach locations.

3. Fuel-efficient Optional Diesel Engine

The 2017 BMW X5 has an optional diesel engine that gets 255 hp and 413 pounds-feet of torque, getting the vehicle from 0 to 60 in 6.7 seconds. This option comes on the xDrive35d and gets somewhere around 25 mpg combined.

4. Many Optional Features

The 2017 BMW X5 has numerous optional features, including keyless ignition, hands-free entry, a back-up camera, and four-zone climate control. There is also an option for a classy leather interior. There are an impressive 12 total packages you can choose from, including a Luxury Package, Cold Weather Package, and Ivory White Interior Design Package.

5. Large Central Display Screen

The central display is a respectable 10.2-inch which is mounted top and center on the front panel. The screen clearly and logically displays BMW's iDrive technology interface, which is user-friendly.

6. xDrive40e Hybrid Option

The 40e is a plug-in hybrid version of the 2017 BMW X5 that includes all standard features on the 35i and 35d, as well as rear air suspension, adjustable suspension dampers, and extra iDrive menu options. With its engine/transmission pairing and 9-kWh battery pack placed under the cargo area, the 40e gets from 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds and can go an extra 14 miles on battery alone.

7. Fast Acceleration

With such powerful engine/transmission pairings, each trim gets fast acceleration. The 40e gets from 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds, and the xDrive50i makes it there in an astoundingly mere 4.9 seconds, making it one of the fastest-accelerating luxury SUVs on the market.

8. Tows Up to 6,000 Pounds

The 2017 BMW X5 has a towing capacity of up to 6,000. This outperforms other SUVs in its class, making it a perfect choice for families who haul campers or workers who need to hitch trailers onto their vehicles.

9. Excellent Safety Ratings

The X5 has performed superbly well on all its safety tests. It received 5/5 stars on its government crash tests and received a Superior grade for its optional forward collision mitigation system, making it a worth-while addition to the vehicle.

10. Spacious Cargo Area

Cargo space in the X5 is relatively generous for this class. On all models save for the 40e, you can get a total of 76.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third-row seats folded down.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2017 BMW X5 – The Cons

1. Minimal Second-row Leg-room

Legroom seems cramped in the second row. Taller adults might not enjoy longer rides, especially if the person sitting in front of them has their seat moved back. Taller passengers might have to quarrel over who gets the spacious front seat.

2. Small Optional Third-row Seats

The third row of seating is even more cramped than the second row, and even older children will have difficulty finding enough space back there. This might not be the vehicle for you if you plan on having a SUV full of bigger people quite frequently.

3. Stiff Ride Quality

The 2017 BMW X5 has superior handling, but it also leads to something of a stiff ride. While it is not excessively firm, the ride quality might take some getting-used-to for anyone accustomed to driving a vehicle with extremely smooth ride quality.

4. Price

The price tag might be a deterrent for some potential buyers. On the lower end of the pricing scale, the sDrive35i has a starting MSRP of $56,600, while, on the higher end, the xDrive50i has a starting MSRP of $73,650.

How it stacks up to the competition:

X5 vs. 2017 Audi Q7

Like the X5, the Q7 has a powerful performance, is well-rated for its safety, and has a plethora of additional features. However, cargo space in the Q7 is more limited with just 37.5 cubic feet available when third-row seats are folded down.

X5 vs. 2017 Volvo XC90

Both the X5 and XC90 have busy ride qualities, but the XC90's powertrain is not as powerful as the X5's. Also, the touchscreen interface on the XC90 is less user-friendly than the interface on the X5.

Conclusion

The 2017 BMW X5 generates a powerful performance and rolls out with luxury and style. If you are looking for a high-quality vehicle that, despite being a bit cramped for space, is highly safe and has a lot of optional features to offer, consider giving the X5 a test drive.