BMW X5 xDrive40d with 306 CV, road test (Exterior design, interior and finishes)

First we told you everything about the engine and performance of this unusual crossover, the BMW X5 xDrive40d with 306 CV, which is better suited to a road with bends than to mountainous areas. As we explained in the first part of the test, it has excellent on-road behaviour, while its 306 CV engine is a beast that relentlessly pushes this X5 of more than two tonnes.

Now it’s time to review the exterior design, where the M Sport Package immediately catches the eye, and we will also analyse the interior of the car in depth, looking at aspects such as spaciousness, the quality of the finishes and the comfort of its seven seats.

Exterior design

For years the design of the BMW X5 has been updated with small touch-ups, but always without undergoing a profound change, a design that has remained unchanged since 2008 and that carries the passing of time remarkably well without showing its age too much.

Our test unit stands out for its sportiness. The exterior colour is already a statement of intent: we are not dealing with the typical dark colour that usually accompanies any elegant, large 4×4.

This is the M Sport Package, in exterior white, and it includes larger bumpers, specific 19-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and sporty interior elements (seats, steering wheel, aluminium inserts…), all for a final price of 7,940 euros.

Another detail that stands out on the exterior is its five cameras: one at the rear, two on the sides and two more under the wing mirrors. The rear one is very handy for parking, the two front side cameras are practical for junctions with poor visibility and to avoid having to pull out half the car to see. Finally, the two located under the mirrors are useful for off-road driving or parking, since you can see the side of the car perfectly (knowing whether we are too far from the kerb when parking, for example).

On the outside we must not forget its bi-xenon headlights, and large wing mirrors that gave really good visibility, and among other options it also featured an electric tailgate.

At the rear, sportiness was not only present in the larger bumper: the two chrome exhaust outlets also accentuate the character of the car.

LED technology is present for the daytime running lights: the traditional circles are now LED, along with the rear lights and the courtesy lights in the door handles. Speaking of the doors, one detail surprised us: it was impossible to close them badly. Why do I say this? Because the closing was electric, meaning that once we shut the doors, they were fully latched electrically, and if we closed them badly they also closed correctly on their own (a curious detail, of no great relevance).

Interior design, spaciousness and quality of finishes

The most characteristic thing about the interior is the

space and, above all, the sobriety. Moreover, since our unit has a sporty character, the interior colours were dark and black predominated. The design is typically BMW with correct fit and materials, the entire dashboard is plastic, pleasant to the touch and soft, but without great design flourishes, maintaining the typical sobriety of the German brand.

A curious detail is the glovebox that opens with a button, something that also happens on the Audi Q7. The instrumentation is simple but very complete and overlooks no detail. The quality of the materials is adequate, but for an X5 some areas could have been trimmed in leather or with higher-grade materials; that said, it does not detract from the fact that the fit is correct.

The front seats have more than enough space for feet and head. It is a very comfortable car to drive, it has a high driving position with good visibility (partly thanks to the rear mirrors), and the seats hold the body very well. They are electric with lumbar adjustment, as well as adjustable lateral support thanks to two cushions that inflate to our liking.

The rear seats also stood out for their comfort; three adults could travel without space problems, and since there is no central tunnel, the middle seat is quite wide and has enough room for the feet.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the test, the BMW X5 offered seven seats. In the boot it housed two additional seats that are very easy to fit, and even with adjustable climate control just for those two seats. The only drawback is the space, since only children and some small adults could sit in them, as there is not much room for the feet.

Storage and boot

In terms of storage

, the X5 had large, practical door pockets, even in the rear doors, and also storage in the third row of seats. There were also several compartments in the central tunnel and the central console. The glovebox had a curious opening, by button and from above, but it really was not very large.

The boot has 620 litres, a more than sufficient figure. It is not especially deep, but it has a very practical accessory for securing the things we carry in the boot, and even an extendable net to separate the boot from the rest of the cabin if we decide to take the dog in the back, for example.

Having analysed the design, in the third part of the test we will focus on standard equipment, prices and our overall assessment.

Photos | David Taboada, Test Team
Thanks to the collaborators in the photo session and off-road test of the model