BMW X5 review

The X5 is as fancy to look at as you’d expect from a BMW, with lots of angular lines, glossy surfaces and giant screens. Everything feels largely well screwed together, and the infotainment setup is easy to use. It's simple enough to get comfortable up front, and the X5 will eat up long journeys. 

It's definitely designed to live with rather than jump in and out of, though: there are endless configuration menus and settings  available through the central touchscreen. You’ll be able to get the X5 exactly how you want it once you’ve invested a bit of time. The Apple/Android connections work seamlessly at least, good thing that BMW no longer wants to charge you extra for them.

Connected services, including traffic and an onboard wifi hotspot, are standard. So's a wireless charging plate. For a bit extra you can get a pair of cupholders that'll heat or cool: the latter is brilliant for when your phone overheats on the wireless charger.

Anything you don’t like? 

If we have to nitpick, then the controls for the air vents feel cheap and flimsy and the glossy surfaces across the cabin will be a nightmare to keep smudge free. It all looks lovely when it’s brand new and spotless, but you wonder how the X5 will withstand the hard work of day to day family life.

Is the X5 practical? 

In terms of space, the X5 makes for a great family car thanks to its accessible rear seats, plentiful legroom and optional third row. With that third row of seats you get an electrically adjustable centre row, which take their sweet time to get out of the way. Might be easier just to chuck kids in over the headrests.

You’ve got 650 litres of space to play with in the boot, which increases to 1,870 litres with the seats knocked down (500/1,720 in the PHEV version). If you have the seven-seater with all the seats in place you’re looking at around 300 litres of bootspace.