| Base price | $34,690 |
| Price as tested | $38,400 |
| Vehicle layout | Front eng, RWD,
4-door, 5-pass |
| Engine | 3.9L V-8, DOHC,
4 valve/cyl |
| Hp @ rpm | 252 @ 6100 |
| Torque @ rpm | 267 @ 4300 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| 0-60 mph, sec | 7.2 |
| EPA mpg | 17 city / 23 highway |
| Total mileage | 15,152 |
| Avg test mpg | 15.8 |
| Problem areas | None |
| Non-warr cost | $0 |
The notion of BMW's first-ever SUV is big news, and just the type of all-new product that deserves a year under the microscope. We opted for the 4.4L/282-hp V-8 version-though we've since tested the six-cylinder-powered 3.0i and found its performance wholly acceptable. On top of the X5 V-8's base price of $49,900, we added the Sport package (suspension upgrades, aggressive 19-in. rolling stock, miscellaneous trim enhancements) at $2470, a power moonroof ($1050), the nifty retractable load floor ($380), those cool blue/white xenon headlights ($500), a navigation system (about industry average at $1990), Premium Sound system ($1200), Sun Protection Glass (a So Cal must at $275), and the obligatory destination charge of $645. That brought the total for our jet black over gray leather X5 4.4i to a not exactly cheap $57,910. But it has so far proven an amazingly wonderful vehicle to drive, and definitely puts the "sport" in sport/utility. Editor Bartlett picked it up at BMW's assembly facility in South Carolina and drove it to our L.A. offices to begin its year in our clutches. We'll let you know how things go.
Logbook Quote
"Okay, let me pinch myself again-this is an SUV? Yeow!"
| Base price | $49,900 |
| Price as tested | $57,910 |
| Vehicle layout | Front eng, AWD,
4-door, 5-pass |
| Engine | 4.4L V-8,
DOHC, 4 valve/cyl |
| Hp @ rpm | 282 @ 5400 |
| Torque @ rpm | 324 @ 3600 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| 0-60 mph, sec | 6.7 |
| EPA mpg | 13 city/17 highway |
| Total mileage | 3688 |
| Avg test mpg | 16.4 |
| Problem areas | None |
| Non-warr cost | $0 |
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