Entered CNET Catalog: 04/25/2006
SKU: 100653451
Manufacturer: BMW of North America
Product summary
The good: The 2006 BMW X5 is a solid performer, with all-wheel drive and plenty of power from the optional V-8. Various electronic driving aids and options such as Bluetooth enhance safety and usability.
The bad: The 2006 BMW X5's navigation system and other interior interfaces are woefully outdated. No new vehicle--let alone one this expensive--should come without a CD player.
The bottom line: Under most conditions, the 2006 BMW X5 still drives as well as its more recently designed competitors, but it shows its age in the quality of its interior tech offerings.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 05/08/2006
When BMW unveiled the X5 for the 2000 model year, its rivals in the over-$50,000 SUV market were few and far between. Times have changed. Despite record gas prices, the market appeal of large, well-appointed, and thirsty 21st-century station wagons has only increased.
The 2006 BMW X5 shows that the model has aged quite well in terms of overall driving characteristics, with running changes--including an improved xDrive AWD system (standard on the X5) and larger engines--giving better performance.
But the X5's interior infotainment systems have not kept pace with recent improvements. The redesigned 2007 X5 will likely adopt iDrive for control of cabin systems, and for once, we can say this will be a big improvement. Whatever form they take, BMW's next-generation equipment packages can't arrive soon enough. Few new cars at any price come from the factory lacking a CD player, but the 2006 BMW X5 we tested was equipped with navigation, which replaces the CD system with--wait for it--a tape deck. With the total suggested retail price for our X5 at $62,275, it's time for BMW's tech offerings to fast-forward into the 21st century.
The interior of the 2006 BMW X5 is visually warm and pleasant, with beige leather nicely offsetting the dark wood accents. Our test car had the optional Sport Package ($1,600), which includes 18-inch split-spoke alloy wheels (different 18-inch alloys are standard); an anthracite headliner; various exterior trim pieces; sport suspension; sport seats; and a sport steering wheel.
The Premium Package ($2,500) adds a huge power moonroof, autodimming mirrors, and a power-adjustable rear seat back, as well as the BMW Assist system, which includes Bluetooth integration, roadside assistance, vehicle service notifications, and emergency calling services.
So far, so good. But the main control interface in the center of the dashboard is a stark reminder of the 2006 BMW X5's age. The optional DVD navigation ($1,800) system's screen is nicely sized, but resolution is low, and the plastic buttons surrounding the screen feel cheap and lack intuitive functionality. These buttons switch between major commands with further input via a small twist-and-click knob. Setting destinations this way is tedious and distracting and would be improved by the use of the iDrive knob, which is larger, is closer to the driver, and offers tactile feedback.
The real problem with the navigation system is that it replaces the X5's in-dash CD player. BMW surely expects most buyers to upgrade to a six-disc changer, which mounts behind a cover in the left rear cargo area, but our test car was not so equipped. Imagine our surprise the first time we pushed the button, which lowers the navigation screen, and realized it was hiding a slot for cassettes (you remember--the things we used to listen to in the '80s). Buyers of a $62,000 SUV outfitted with a $1,200 Premium sound system shouldn't have to pay more to be able to play CDs. We'll withhold judgment on the sound quality, as our favorite (weak) FM radio station was all we had to go on.
Bluetooth integration is limited to BMW's list of compatible phones. Once paired, address-book information is available and can be dialed with steering-wheel controls or a voice command. Some phones can be docked in the center armrest with custom cradles, which allows quicker direct access and charging.
Other steering-wheel controls in the 2006 BMW X5 are for audio and cruise control, and the wheel itself has power tilt and telescope adjustment, with memory positions matched to the outside mirrors and driver's seat. Climate controls reside separately beneath the main screen, with a row of switches below them for park assist, hill-descent control, dynamic stability control, and a rear-hatch release. The rear hatch is a two-piece clamshell affair, which also seems outdated and cumbersome, although a heavy-duty sliding load floor ($380) compensated somewhat.
The 2006 BMW X5 may no longer measure up on the interior-gadgets front, but its overall driving dynamics still feel modern. Our test car's 4.4-liter V-8 is now BMW's middle-range X5 engine option, with an available 4.8-liter motor starting at $71,100--compared with the 4.4-liter's base price of $53,600. With VANOS variable-valve timing, Valvetronic variable-valve lift, and a variable intake manifold, the 4.4-liter engine puts out 315 horsepower at 5,400rpm and a useful 324 pound-feet of torque at 3,600rpm. These numbers will satisfy all but the most delusional SUV buyers--or those lucky owners of the Porsche Cayenne turbo.
BMW's adaptive six-speed automatic is effective both in low-speed driving and when pushing harder. With light throttle inputs, fourth gear can be reached by about 20mph, but driven hard, the X5 accelerates briskly, taking just more than 6 seconds to reach 60mph from rest. Gears can be selected manually with the shifter moved sideways into its sequential gate, but throttle response is good enough in automatic mode to make this superfluous.
Handling is very good, given the 2006 BMW X5's heft and height. The sport-suspension option was satisfying, combining great roadholding with a relatively compliant around-town ride. As in other BMWs, speed-sensitive power steering provides excellent feel. The adaptive ride-height option ($500) was mostly a novelty in our short experience, but the extra clearance could prove useful for more intrepid X5 drivers (or in the snow).
The xDrive all-wheel drive works with standard dynamic stability control to send power to wheels with the most traction and cut power as required to maintain correct vehicle attitude. Hill-descent control is also valuable for loose surfaces, automatically holding the 2006 BMW X5 at a steady downhill crawl with no braking required of the driver.
Fuel economy is decent, with EPA ratings of 16mpg in the city and 22mpg on the highway. The trip computer registered 17.2mpg over the course of our week with the car.
The 2006 BMW X5 has dual front air bags with a front-passenger-detection feature, dual front door-mounted side-impact air bags, and a front- and rear-passenger head-protection curtain air bag. Government crash-test ratings are excellent: five-star frontal impact for the driver and the passenger, five-star side impact for rear passengers, and four-star side impact in the front seat.
Park-distance control (PDC) and adaptive xenon headlights are standard. PDC can be quickly shut off with the aforementioned pushbutton, which is handy, as the shrill tone quickly becomes a nuisance if not really needed.
As we found in the BMW 550i, the X5's rain-sensing wipers are very effective. Without any fussy overadjustment, this system just keeps the windshield dry--period. And it's the best of its kind we've tried.
Warranties for 2006 BMW vehicles are good for 4 years/50,000 miles, including roadside assistance. Rust-perforation protection extends to 12 years with no mileage limit.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2out of 2 user reviews
Just purchased the car and love it
Pros: beautiful ride and handling
Cons: haven't found any yet. maybe price?
out of 2 user reviews
X5 is Xcellent
Pros: Aggressive handling, Solid ride, Interior design (a little outdated, but refined and sedan-like) with separate media and climate control areas, Powerful
Cons: The interior hatch release button, Cruise control controls, Superfluous options
The factory navigation system is horrible. It has low resolution and poor graphics. But is does turn on everytime the driver-side door opens. Convenient features include power folding mirrors (operated from an un-marked button), rain-sensing wipers ('put the wiper stalk to the 'first' position'), thigh support (manual...retract the lever and an appendage of leathered cushion pops out), audio system (can turn on without key), ventilation/air system (can be on without key), and some more.
Some things need work. The hatch-release button is strange. You press it, the hatch releases, and sometimes it immediately shuts; living/parking in San Francisco with a ten hills every mile, especially. The cruise control gives no details. It does not tell you how fast it is programmed to be. You press the 'I/O' button, an indicator light comes on, and according to the manual, the '+' button goes approximately .2 mph more per push. The gauges on this car is very outdated, not even remotely stunning to look at.
A similarly equiped ML would be less expensive. Not-so-necessary extras that add to the price included with some packages include an anthracite (black-colored) headliner, shadowline (shiny black-colored) window trim, 'titanium' painted meshes in the bumper area, chrome rings in the gauges, and a couple more.
But I rather have my X5...it is what a BMW 'SAV' should be: comfortable, elegant, but most of all, sporty.
