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Wild tales on the Wyoming road with the BMW X5
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The 2007 BMW X5.
Special to the Daily
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July 16, 2007
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Initially, it had seemed like a grand idea after a weekend in Red Lodge, Montana to really take advantage of the versatility, comfort and speed of the wonderful BMW X5 by taking the roads less traveled by. So I decided to bomb along in the epitome of German class, style and high terminal velocity by doing what it is that the X5 is so good at – Autobahn-styled cruising on largely isolated secondary roads.
And while such behavior is almost acceptable on the Wyoming interstate, when transecting U.S. Hwy. 20 between Cody and Thermopolis on a busy holiday weekend, a slightly more attentive approach is necessary, especially when you’re flying down the road in a $64,000 luxury “Sport Activity Vehicle” (BMW’s own distinctive term), wearing New Jersey plates. My slightly speedy heroics managed to elicit a non-voluntary $96 contribution to the general revenue fund of Hot Springs County.
The lesson learned here is that if you’ve spent any time driving bulky, unresponsive, drably-designed SUVs that are more like small apartment buildings than automobiles, BMW’s sporty and surprisingly responsive X5 behaves much more like a sports car than a family-hauling tank.
Powered by an updated, roaring 4.8 liter V-8 putting out 350 horsepower, the South Carolina-built X5 will rocket to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds (pretty impressive for 5,335 pounds of car) and can achieve 150 mph – on the race track, I assume, as I opted not to push my luck during the rest of my trip.
| 2007 BMW X5 |
Price as tested: $63,720
Includes: 350 horsepower 4.8 liter V-8, six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, xDrive all-wheel-drive, 19-inch alloy wheels, heated leather sport seating, iDrive navigation and entertainment system with back-up camera, premium audio system, Sirius satellite radio, keyless entry and pushbutton start, roof rails
Stated mileage: 15 mpg city, 21 highway |
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Steering is also scarily responsive. Forget the vague, Love Boat-styled handling you get in most big SUVs – the X5’s inputs are crisp and directly connected, and even with big 19-inch wheels, the feel was fast and impressive. Gigantic ventilated disc brakes made stops just as easy.
That sports car-meets-urban combat vehicle dichotomy carries through the entire X5 experience, from the oversized steering wheel and body-enveloping leather sports seats (which are, admittedly, a little difficult to get into at first with such tall side bolsters, but they do keep you firmly locked in place) to the six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, which made great choices on its own but can be shifted manually, should you desire.
The actual shift mechanism itself, was, however, part of the X5’s family of technologically forward-looking doodads and geegaws that, as one friend recently described them, look like the kind of stuff you’d expect on a $64,000 SUV (sorry, “SAV”) but can be as annoying as humanly possible.
The console-mounted shifter is shaped like a Norelco electric razor and, unlike shifters in every other automatic on the planet, has to be pushed forward to go into reverse, which is about as intuitive as Porsche’s left-hand-side ignitions switch. It’s such a quantum leap from the way that cars normally operate that it seems a little dangerous, frankly, especially in emergency situations if you’re new to the car’s operations.
Similarly, the blessed iDrive system offers audio, navigation, communication and climate controls through a spinning silver wheel that many describe as Satan’s right hand.
My nine-hour-long drive to and from Montana gave me ample opportunity to try to master the million or so sub-menus. I eventually figured out that seventeen clicks and taps to the left of one input screen would not only plot a path but allow the X5 to actually call ahead and get me reservations at the Best Western in Sheridan, Wyoming, but there was nothing simple about that process.
The nav system can also pull down live traffic information in urban settings and the premium audio system was stunning; the on-screen, digitally controlled vent and recirculation settings are so unbelievably complicated that you’ll shriek in frustration.
The keyless entry system leaves you, as do many new vehicles, with an extra key in your pocket; the pushbutton starter needs to be pushed twice to actually turn off the X5 once it’s already running, which also seemed odd.
And, finally – either a well-seasoned X5 really does produce nearly 24 miles per gallon, even while traveling above posted highway speed limits, or the trip computer is completely lying, as the window sticker says the highway average is actually closer to 21 mpg.
All of that techno-overload unfortunately helps chip away at what is otherwise an absolutely remarkable and really very straight-forward vehicle, with comfortable seating for five (and a third row available as an option). There’s a humungous full-cabin panoramic sunroof, beautiful interior and exterior design (hardwood and aluminum finishes in the cabin, and chromed double kidney grilles and steel mesh venting on the hood, in particular).
You also get 62 cubic feet of storage room and an adaptive system of tiedown rails on the rear deck – which lifts up itself to reveal a very large, lockable hidden storage space – and the rear gate features a split lower level that folds out for easier loading and even mild tailgating.
I didn’t get off-road in the 2007 X5 but with ample clearance and a hill-descent feature, I’m sure you’d be well equipped for mid-level excursions.
Just remember to bring the Owner’s Manual. And your radar detector. If you know what I mean.
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CLOUDY 44°
