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Sport Utility Vehicle Copley News Service Safe sport-utility vehicles do exist. You just have to pay a little more for them.
In a test of side air bags that also protect heads, the institute rammed an X5 sideways into a pole at 18 mph. That might not sound like much, but it's like a kidney punch to the side of a vehicle. The institute reported that there was major penetration into the side of the X5, "yet the forces recorded on the dummies' heads in these tests were low." Also, the report praised BMW's Head Protection system that uses an inflatable tube-shaped air bag. In a round of testing in October, the institute ran 14 SUVs through its 40 mph frontal offset crash test. The BMW X5 had the best results of any vehicle - car or truck - tested to date. And, the X5 "is the only SUV in this group with halfway decent bumpers," says President Brian O'Neill of the institute, which is supported by U.S. insurers. "The rear bumper is good. It allowed only about $200 damage in the pole impact, which usually is the toughest of our four bumper tests. "The X5 also performed well in the rear-into-flat-barrier test, but there was too much damage in the front-flat and front-angle barrier tests." All BMWs have 5 mph-rated bumpers, but bumpers only have to meet federal standards in 2.5 mph impacts. For comparison in the bumper test, the 2000 model Isuzu Trooper went away with more than $3,000 damage in the 5 mph rear-into-pole impact.
In attempting to measure what excites and delights owners about their vehicles, the Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Award analyzes such areas as styling, engine and transmission performance, comfort and convenience, ride and handling, seats, heating, cooling and ventilation, cockpit layout, instrument panel and sound system. BMW insists on calling its all-wheel-drive X5 an SAV or "sports-activity vehicle." Marketing aside, to most consumers it's still an SUV, but it's a BMW SUV, and those who value handling and performance will appreciate this BMW truck. BMW doesn't have much of a truck history, of course. It builds cars - fast cars and large cars - so it put all of those fast- and safe-car characteristics into its X5. The V-8 powered X5 4.4i debuted in December 1999 and was followed last May with the six-cylinder X5 3.0i that also comes with a 5-speed manual transmission. Prices start at $39,470 for the 2001 X5 3.0i, which is $10,500 less than the V-8 version. But with two option packages and a couple other extras the test truck had a sticker of $45,565. Safety has its price, but BMW pays for scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. The only visual differences in the two models are tires and wheels and the standard wood trim in the 4.4i. The 3.0i comes with 17-inch tires with an option for 18s; the 4.4i comes with 18-inch tires and can be upgraded to 19-inchers. I recently spent a week with a six-cylinder X5 with the manual shifter and had a love it, hate it time.
The X5's 225 horsepower in-line six is challenged by the 4,519-pound curb weight and in distributing the power to all four wheels. BMW claims 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds or 8.6 with the 5-speed SportShift automatic; I'm not sure I could have duplicated that time. The X5's clutch and gearbox were stiff and a chore to use in stop-and-go traffic. First gear is so short, I was tempted to start in second to save time and the wear and tear on my clutch leg and right arm. At freeway speeds the engine spun at 4000 rpm, which is high but there was no intruding engine noise. In this application, however, I'd glady pay the $1,275 for the manual-shift alternative of the Steptronic 5-speed automatic. Fuel economy with either transmission is 15 mpg around town and 20 on the highway. The 282 hp from the 4.4 liter V-8 is pure luxury class; fuel economy is a thirsty 13/17 and 0-60 acceleration is a lusty 7.5 seconds. Forty-five grand is a substantial price for a 5-passenger SUV, but the X5 is a BMW, not a truck that has been squeezed into a sedan-like dress.
Safety equipment -- Front and front-side air bags, Head Protection System, front seat belt pretensioners, 3-point belts at all seats, anti-theft audio system, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Brake Control and Hill Descent Control. Standard equipment -- Remote keyless locking, halogen fog lights, air conditioning, power windows (one-touch up and down), 4-function onboard computer, memory presets (driver's seat, seat belt height, steering wheel and outside mirrors), 8-way power driver's seat, cruise control, power adjustable steering column, Leatherette trim, roof rails, split-folding rear seat back and cargo-area cover, two-piece rear tailgate and wiper-washer, universal garage opener.
Base MSRP -- $39,470, including $570 destination charge; price as tested, $45,565 Options on test truck -- Sport Package ($2,470) includes self-leveling springs, sport-tuned suspension, sport steering wheel, 18-inch alloy wheels, anthracite headline, white turn signals; Premium Package ($2,950) includes power glass moonroof, power front seats, light wood trim, leather upholstery; Sport Seats ($475) and AM-FM-CD player ($200). Warranties -- 3-year/36,000-mile full maintenance program; 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage; six-year limited rust perforation; 4-year/50,000-mile roadside assistance. Where assembled -- Spartanburg, S.C.
PLUSES -- A well-Americanized import SUV for comfort, safety and long driving vacations. Durable plastic liners on bumpers and fender lips prevent abrasion from road grit or trail debris. Functional interior not easily marred by the abuse of kids, dogs and life. MINUSES -- Outside door handles were a struggle for children and some adults to pull; the doors also were stiff to open and close. Manual transmission is stiff and balky. News Index | Features Index |
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AutoWord Copyright© 2001 Copley News Service |
The BMW X5, for example, has sex appeal and safety, according to recent reports by J.D. Power and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, which rated the X5 as the safest of the SUVs.
Call it safe sexiness, but the X5 was rated the most appealing SUV in the APEAL study by J.D. Power and Associates.
I like the X5, but the combination of 6-cylinder and manual shifter was very trucky and wore me out. Something I've never said about a six-cylinder, manually shifted BMW car.