2009 BMW X5 Reviews and Buying Tips

BMW X5 Reviews @Auto123 update 26 May’09

The 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d proves pleasant and relatively fun (the key word here is “relatively”). At cruising speed, the steering is sharp and vigorous, allowing the driver absolute control of the vehicle.

Introduction of 2009 BMW X5 :

As MSRP from $47,500 to $56,200, The 2009 X5 is a 4-door, up to 7-passenger luxury sport-utility, available in 3 trims, ranging from the xDrive30i to the xDrive48i.

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2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i

Upon introduction, the xDrive30i is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 260-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on the highway. The xDrive48i is equipped with a standard 4.8-liter, V8, 350-horsepower engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

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The 2009 X5 is a carryover from 2008.

Index of BMW X5 Reviews

  • Auto123—Like every other X5, access to the cabin is made harder by the tall step-in height and the useless running boards (optional). Plus, rearward visibility is affected by the fairly high beltline. On the plus side, the interior layout is clean and well-executed, the bucket seats are large and accommodating, and the array of features is comprehensive.
  • TheCarConnection.com—The 2008 BMW X5 is better than ever, but could use more dramatic styling and an iDrive transplant.STYLING:While the 2008 BMW X5 is attractive for a crossover vehicle, it does not bring much new to the styling world;PERFORMANCE:With its sporty feel and reasonable fuel economy for its class, the 2008 BMW X5 is definitely not just another stodgy SUV;COMFORT AND QUALITY:The quality of the materials and roomy seating of the 2008 BMW X5 make for a richly appointed, spacious SUV;SAFETY:The 2008 BMW X5 offers a plethora of standard and optional safety features, and it scores well in crash tests;FEATURES:The 2008 BMW X5 has plenty of standard features, and options include the latest in high-tech gadgetry.

User Reviews on 2009 BMW X5:

  • World’s number one DIESEL engine on xDrive35d —by alberto
    This car is absolutely gorgeous!t The MPG this X5 Diesel give you are best you will ever find and it drives beautifully in the highway. I love it and would recomend it to anyone. 2rd row seat adjust on 4 leves for comfort and the 3rd row seat is great when you have kids.I like the performance and the car is really safe to drive
    love the Navigation, rear camera, heated steering wheel, xenon headlights, running boards, smooth transmission. This car is a dream to drive, it is not too heavy. If you want a heavy car you should try the Audi Q7.
    The X5 comfort and value are superb. Dont Belive those people who said the X5 is the worst rate on Magazine, Because they are lieying, and i belive they dont even have a car .
  • Great looking SUV. Very classy looking interior. Perfect for someone with children on xDrive48i— By tmac
    I traded in my 5 series BMW for this because of the need for a third row and a place to carry a bike. I love the look of the car and how it handles. Per other reviews, if you don’t like a firm ride thats very responsive, you probably should consider another vehicle.Also, the idrive takes a little getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you will love it. You can control every function of the vehicle with your fingers withou moving your arm from the rest position. One last note, the third row seat is designed for small children and for an adult only in a crunch. This would not be a car for a cross country trip utilizing the third row for seating. Hope this helps.

Buying Tips
The BMW X5 won’t win any friends with its fuel economy, but a couple of solutions may be on the way. BMW is said to be planning both a diesel and a hybrid version of the X5, and both could be in showrooms within a year or two. The six-cylinder version of the X5 is quick enough for most drivers, but adding the third-row seat and navigation system can jack up the sticker price quickly. BMW’s iDrive controller for audio, navigation, and climate control is frustrating–try it before you own it.
About BMW
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Aeronautics, motorcycles and automobiles are all part of BMW’s long-standing history, which dates back to 1916. In 1986, the Bavarian brand made its debut in Canada as a full-on car maker and no longer as a mere importer. Its network of 38 concessionnaires is well established in the country. Among the lineup are various sedans, coupes, convertibles and wagons from the 1-, 3, 5, 6 and 7 Series. The X3 and X5 SUVs and the sporty Z4 target specific customers, while the ultra-high performance M-Series models (3, 5 and 6) appeal to the most hardcore driving enthusiasts.

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There Are 2 Responses So Far. »

  1. Vote -1 Vote +1Compressed Chi on 27 May 2009:

    I recently leased the 2009 X5 with a larger engine that most mentioned is a must when driving such a heavy car, and that makes it a lot of fun to drive. Like all BMWs, this X5 handles beautifully and looks sharp. The gadgets I am still in the process of learning how to use–make sure the dealer shows you how all the bells and whistles work! We considered the Range Rover, but the handling and sportiness of the X5 swayed us and we are overall very happy with our new ride. The four year complementary servicing also makes driving this car over others more affordable.

    [Reply]

  2. Vote -1 Vote +1Matthew Milford on 27 May 2009:

    I tested the 2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i just a week ago. It has its ups and downs. Let’s start with the ups. The 09 BMW X5 xDrive48i comes with a standard 350 horsepower 4.8 liter V8. That’s even MORE powerful than the Mercedes-Benz GL450 full-size SUV, with a very disappointing 335 horsepower 4.5 liter V8. This big engine allows for a sporty ride – a 0 to 60mph run of 6.4 seconds. That’s equivalent to the Cayenne S’s run of 6.4 seconds. Not only is the X5 considerably sporty and quite powerful, but it’s also luxurious. Standard features of the base X5 include a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel w/ radio controls, air conditioning w/ dual-zone automatic climate controls, 6-disc CD changer, power front seats, and leather upholstery. But the X5 xDrive48i adds on remote engine start, heated front seats, power sunroof, tri-zone climate controls, and premium sound. But the xDrive48i also has some downs, which includes the EPA estimated 14mpg in the city and 19mpg on the highway. I thought that BMW’s low-emissions goal would get the xDrive48i’s fuel economy to reach 16mpg city and 20mpg highway, but I also consider the fact that BMW’s big engine might not allow that. I found in both the base X5’s and xDrive48i’s that the ride was very firm. The car feels a little bit too much like a high-performance SUV, and not quite enough as a mix of power and luxury, as that is BMW’s goal for the xDrive48i. I also found out pretty quickly that the X5’s interior is pretty noisy. You can sure hear that V8 yelling “Let’s go!”, which makes conversations slightly more difficult. The last down is competition. Is the 350 horsepower 4.8 liter V8 worthy enough to compete with the Cayenne S’s 385 horsepower 4.8 liter V8? Is the X5’s engine worthy enough to compete with the Mercedes ML550’s 382 horsepower 5.5 liter V8? So, the X5 is powerful, sporty, and luxurious. It’s also gas-eating, hard to drive, loud, and weak (compared to its competitors). The 87% that the X5 gets is a reasonable score, and we think that BMW will work on the downs more effectively in the future.

    [Reply]

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