BMW X5 M Competition review: Practical SUV with supercar performance
What's the story
BMW's M division has had considerable success with its line-up of fast SUVs as performance SUVs gain popularity thanks to their versatile nature. The German automaker is once again attracting motorheads with the flagship X5 M Competition in India. It promises a supercar-like performance while offering a luxurious cabin and the practicality of an SUV. Here's our review.
Exteriors
BMW X5 M Competition: At a glance
Compared to the standard X5, the M Competition model is a lot more aggressive looking and has M specific design touches. The kidney grille is painted in Gloss Black while the front bumper is upgraded with larger air intakes for better aerodynamics. The X5 M Competition also gets sporty elements like twin exhaust pipes, double-arm wing mirrors and 'M' lightweight alloy wheels.
Interiors
Inside the cabin
Step inside and you have a driver-focused cabin with M specific seats and a lot of carbon fiber, which elevates the overall ambience. Standard equipment includes a 12.3-inch infotainment console, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging feature, a head-up display, 4-zone climate control and a Harman Kardon audio system. In terms of space, the X5 M Competition is a 5-seater with ample legroom and headroom.
Under the hood
Power and performance
Powering the X5 M competition is a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo, V8 petrol engine that develops 625hp/750Nm. The motor comes mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox along with a rear-biased four-wheel-drive-system. Performance is uncompromising. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top-speed of 290km/h. This makes it one of the fastest SUVs in the world and at par with some supercars.
Ride and handling
How does it perform on the road?
The X5 M competition gets M specific upgrades to the chassis and suspension along with configurable settings for the engine, gearbox and exhaust. The handling is excellent for an SUV with hardly any body roll and the steering wheel is extremely responsive as well as accurate. The wider tires also help in better cornering while the braking efficiency is confidence inducing.
Our verdict
Is it worth your money?
The X5 M Competition is priced at Rs. 1.95 crore, making it more affordable than some of the other performance SUVs out there. There is plenty to like about in terms of performance, handling, the feature-rich yet practical cabin, as well as the overall driving experience it offers. In a nutshell, the X5 M Competition provides the supercar thrills but without the spills.