2005 BMW X5 New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2005 BMW X5?
After seeing a significant freshening last year, changes to the 2005 BMW X5 are minimal. Models with a V8 engine under the hood receive park distance control and adaptive headlamps as standard equipment, and all X5s now come with fog lamps and automatic climate control.

Advantages of the 2005 BMW X5:

• Impressive on-pavement driving dynamics
• Sophisticated xDrive all-wheel-drive system
• Quality materials and construction
• Superb front seat comfort
• Tailgate design good for parking lot parties

Objections to the 2005 BMW X5:

• Small cargo compartment
• Odd interior control markings and functions
• Tailgate design bad for reaching items stored near the rear seatbacks

Editor's Advice:
Despite advancing age, the 2005 BMW X5 remains one of the best luxury crossovers money can buy from a dynamic standpoint. Its on-pavement performance and front passenger comfort are impressive. As a utility vehicle, it misses the mark with its diminutive cargo area, and is unsuitable for terrain more technical than well-traveled fire roads. Whether you ought to consider the BMW X5 or not depends strictly on what you value in an SUV.