Car review: BMW X5 xDrive30d

BMW’s largest X model, the X5, has sold more than two million vehicles since it first arrived, and the new, fourth-generation car looks set to continue this success.

Slightly longer, wider and taller than before, you can distinguish the new version by its deeper front grille and wider rear lights. Made in BMW’s US plant at Spartanburg, the X5 comes with either a 400hp three-litre six-cylinder diesel engine badged M50d (the 4.4-litre petrol version called the 50i is not coming to Europe), a three-litre 340hp petrol unit, badged xDrive 40i, or a three-litre 265hp diesel 30d, which will be by far the biggest seller here.

This straight six engine suits the car well. It feels lighter and more nimble than the more powerful version, with easily enough grunt for most people’s needs.

As you would expect the X5 is loaded to the gunwhales with driver assistance systems, and is the first X model with an optional Off-Road package, which includes air suspension, front and rear underguards and a choice of four driving modes. It can also adjust the ride height for the best set-up for tackling gravel, rock, sand or snow.

As well as the usual driver aids such as city braking, lane departure warning and blind spot awareness, it has a rear collision prevention system which flashes the car’s rear lights if the sensors suggest another vehicle is approaching from behind at a dangerous speed. It might not prevent an accident but it could lessen the damage.

Reverse Assist memorises the last 50 metres of your journey to help you back into a parking space and Parking Assist Plus incorporates extra cameras to give you a 360-degree aerial view.

The cabin is well up to standard, with a fully digital electronic dashboard and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a larger head-up display with a greater range of adjustability. A nice touch is the optional glass used for the gear selector, controller, start/stop button and audio system control knob.

This is a nice place to be, with well constructed and elegant leather seats with optional massage and ventilation systems, plenty of head and legroom front and back and up to 1,860 litre of loadspace. You can also specify a third row of seats.

The eight-speed Steptronic auto gearbox swaps cogs rapidly and smoothly and the central sat-nav map, dashboard diagram and head-up display make it difficult even for me to get lost.