2007 BMW X5

As before, the X5 is available with an inline-six (3.0si) or a V-8 (4.8i), each boasting significant power boosts compared with their predecessors. The 3.0si, which sports BMW's 3.0-liter N52 magnesium/aluminum I-6, delivers 260 horsepower and 225 poundfeet of torque, upgrades of 35 horses and 11 pound-feet. For more oomph, the 4.8i, the velvety variant we sampled in the X5's hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina, serves up 350 horsepower and 350 poundfeet of torque courtesy of a 4.8-liter N62 V-8 that outguns last year's 4.4-liter by 35 horsepower and 26 pound-feet. Both engines come mated to a seamless ZF six-speed automatic that routs power via an xDrive all-wheel-drive system featuring a 40/60 front/rear torque split.

Besides the noticeable gain in power--BMW claims the 4.8i will shoot from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, 0.4 second quicker than the 4.4i, with the 3.0si taking 7.8 ticks, or 0.5 sooner than the old 3.0i--the 350-horsepower X5 delivers sharper responses and a more compliant ride than its forebear.

Much of this newfound glory can be attributed to the control-arm front suspension, which makes the X5 the first BMW since 1961 devoid of front struts. By isolating the damper from lateral forces, mounting the anti-roll bars to the knuckles rather than the suspension arms (as well as allowing for smaller, lighter bars), and giving engineers more flexibility in damper tuning and suspension geometry, BMW claims the switch to control arms improves ride and handling. It's hard to argue with them. The 4.8i we sampled, which featured 19-inch wheels (20s are optional) and new gadgets such as adaptive drive (active roll stabilization and electronic damping control) and active steering (a first with any all-wheel-drive BMW), felt more composed and capable than its predecessor, delivering higher degrees of precision and lower levels of harshness.

Going off-road? Unless you plan on some light-duty action, the X5 isn't your rig. Without a low range, all-terrain tires, or adequate ground clearance, the X5 is still a soft-roader. But whether you travel on- or off-road, the X5 will do its part getting you home in one piece. Standard safety features include six airbags, a rollover-protection system, dynamic stability control, and a structure whose torsional rigidity is up 15 percent.

Base prices are up, too, about eight percent for the I-6 and two percent for the V-8, which means the X5 costs more than the Mercedes-Benz M-Class ($43,455-$49,975) and the Audi Q7 ($40,620-$50,620). For those who love the feel and drive of a BMW, not to mention those who don't need a third row or a sport/ute capable of crawling over rocks, the new X5 is surely worth the premium.