2019 BMW X5: First impression

The new fourth-generation BMW X5 was recently launched in the Philippines. SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp., the official importer, and distributor of BMW cars in the country, was more than happy to reveal the latest offering from the German car maker.

The 2019 BMW X5 remains very much similar to the previous generation model in terms of looks and style. However, BMW has made certain alterations to justify the tag ‘new’ and also the price.

Exterior

Just like any other BMW car, recognizing the new X5 wouldn’t be an issue. If you look at this SUV from the front, you might get confused for a bit and ponder which model of the X-series is it. But that’s the case with most of the BMWs out there. And that’s probably because of the company’s signature kidney grille.

Carrying forward the same design philosophy, the new BMW X5, too, has large kidney grille which tends to appear a bit larger than before. Accompanying the kidneys are the set of new angular dual LED headlamps which is a bit similar to what we have seen in the BMW X3. These headlamps do both the job - look and perform great.

The side profile of the SUV has been taken care of by striking 19-inch V-spoke design alloy wheels. They look very sophisticated. Then there is are the roof rails which add a bit of sportiness to the big picture. It is the rear end of the new X5 that gets a very noticeable change. New and sleek LED ones have replaced the L-shaped tail lights. They are quite wide, but their sleekness balances it very well. And the car looks wider than it actually is.

Interior

The interior of the new 2019 BMW X5 has been given some major new elements as well. The biggest change is the replacement of the old instrument cluster with BMW’s new fully digital setup that comes with BMW Operating System 7.0. This is a highly advanced instrument cluster that can show you a plethora of information and data about the car.

Also, you can customise based on a few predetermined grounds to add a personal touch to the car. There is also this new large touchscreen display at the center console which again lets you do a handful of operations to change certain settings of your new X5.

Another interesting thing about the X5’s interior is its dashboard. The new layout is much cleaner and organised than that of the previous generation model. And the inclusion of new Harmon Kardon speakers and ambient lighting make things a bit more interesting. And we don’t need to talk about the quality of materials used and fit and finish of everything. It’s a German car, and it is already understood that things will be immaculate.

Engine

 

Under the hood of the new 2019 X5 is a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder diesel engine which has been tuned to churn out a max power of 269 PS and 620 Nm of torque. The transmission unit in duty is an 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic Sport.

These figures are more than enough to grab your attention while going through the 2019 BMW X5 specs sheet. This big SUV takes the 0-100 kmph sprint in 6.5 seconds thanks to the immense power and torque and the all-wheel-drive system.

Safety features

Just like the quality of the materials, we don’t need to be worried about the safety features of a BMW. The new X5 comes with ABS, cornering brake control, crash sensor, dynamic stability control, dynamic traction control, hill descent control, airbags, and much more.

The 2019 BMW X5 price has been set at Php 5.99 million. And there is only a single variant available - xDrive30d xLine. BMW is offering a 5-year/200,000 km warranty which is a first in the premium automotive segment. Also, the new X5 will be under the BMW Repair Inclusive title which includes repairs that are completed at authorised BMW facilities using only original BMW parts to help protect both performance and the car’s value.

Considering the driving conditions in the Philippines, BMW has tweaked the new X5 to be better suited for on-road driving. So, it would be better if we keep things that way. Going full off-road in this luxurious SUV wouldn’t be a wise decision. Stick to the tarmac and the X5 would keep you happy.

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