---
title: 'BMW X5M v Range Rover SV: DRAG RACE'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bx9BBG3jQCQ'
video_id: 'Bx9BBG3jQCQ'
date: 2026-06-28
duration_sec: 0
---

# BMW X5M v Range Rover SV: DRAG RACE

> Source: [BMW X5M v Range Rover SV: DRAG RACE](https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bx9BBG3jQCQ)

## Summary

Three BMW V8-powered SUVs—the Range Rover Sport SV, Land Rover Defender Octa, and BMW X5M—face off in a series of drag races, rolling races, and a brake test. The competition reveals unexpected results and highlights differences in traction, aerodynamics, and launch control settings.

### Key Points

- **All share same BMW V8 engine** [0:15] — All three vehicles have the same 4.4L twin-turbo V8 from BMW, with the Land Rover having slightly more power and torque than the BMW.
- **First drag race: Range Rover Sport SV wins** [0:47] — Range Rover Sport SV beats the BMW X5M and Land Rover Defender Octa in the first standing quarter mile race. The presenter is surprised by the outcome.
- **Rolling race from 50 mph (comfort mode)** [2:11] — A rolling race from 50 mph in comfort mode starts closely but the BMW X5M pulls ahead, winning the half-mile race despite the Octa's strong launch.
- **Second rolling race in manual/sport mode** [3:30] — In manual mode with full sport settings, the BMW X5M wins another narrow victory over the Range Rover Sport SV in the half mile.
- **Rolling first gear from 10 mph** [5:44] — A rolling start from 10 mph in first gear: the BMW X5M shoots ahead and wins decisively against the Range Rover Sport SV.

### Conclusion

The Range Rover Sport SV and BMW X5M are closely matched in the quarter mile, but the BMW's superior aerodynamics and launch control give it an edge in longer races.

## Transcript

Rock, rock, wake up, WAKE UP, COME ON.
COME ON.
THAT WAS SO CLOSE. WHO WILL WIN in a
drag race between a Range Rover Sport
SV, a Land Rover Defender Octa, and a
BMW X5M? They all have the same 4.4 L
twin-turbo V8 engine from BMW. Let's
find out by racing them over the
standing quarter mile. I'm Mat Watson,
you're watching Carwow.
I'm very interested to see what happens
here because the Land Rover has slightly
more power and torque than the BMW, but
BMW might have just kept a bit of secret
power for themselves. Have they or
haven't they? We're going to find out
now. Now, here's the stats of these cars
compared side by side so you know how
they measure up. Just pause the video if
you want to see it. Now you're fully
informed, let's do a drag race.
>> Three.
Two.
One.
>> Oh! Neck and neck between the BMW and
this Range Rover Sport. Come on. I've
lost my voice talking.
Woah, wait. That's [music] That's
bizarre.
Ooh, beat the Octa. This is ahead.
I wasn't expecting this.
I got a great launch. Oh my goodness, I
was surprised by that. Max in the X5,
I've seen that car launch way better
than that. What have you done?
>> Well, to be honest, I know this can
launch way better, maybe cold tires, but
let's go again and with proper BMW M
power, I will beat you.
>> Andy, we've got the same engine, same
power torque, same weight. Are you just
a really bad driver?
>> You've got carbon fiber wheels, you've
got better tires. We'll see. This has
got something more in it. I bet he
didn't press octa mode. Well, it's 1-0
to the Range Rover Sport and we're going
to do best three out of five. But before
we do some more drag racing, we're going
to do some other races first. Now we're
going to have a rolling race and we're
going to just be in comfort mode,
automatic mode for the gearboxes. We're
going to roll in 50 mph. I'll go 3 2 1
go and then we'll race over the half
mile. 3 2 1 go.
Took a while to kick down.
Nice reaction. That octa went flying.
Your octa's off now though, but so is
the BMW.
Things have changed. Yes. Go on, octa.
Wow, look how high up the front
SUSPENSION IS. COME ON.
This is This What? This is confusing.
Everything to play for, I'm sure. Oh my
goodness. That I was not expecting that
after the drag race. It was really
close, Max, between you and Andy, wasn't
it at first?
>> Yeah, he went flying and his front
suspension was so high up in the air.
But yeah, I brought it back. That's
That's a nice win for the proper BMW.
>> And Andy, it was close, but then I think
aerodynamics went against you, didn't
they?
>> Yeah, I am not in the greatest shape
ever on this. Look at the size of the
windscreen.
>> It's true. Anyway, let's take the
gearbox out the equation. We're going to
go manual mode and full sport setting.
Same thing again. Maybe it will be a
different matter now. I think I've got a
better chance cuz this was just slow to
kick down, Max, so
>> Don't get too smug just yet, to start.
>> 3 2 1 go.
Come on.
Oh, it's close between me and the BMW.
OH, HE'S COMING PAST.
THIS IS SO CLOSE.
This is weird. It's It's just not what I
was expecting after the first drag race.
I think I'VE GOT HIM. COME ON, FOR BMW.
OH, MAX, another victory for you there,
but it was narrow. It was a narrow
victory.
>> Very, very narrow, but I brought it
back, haven't I?
>> Yeah, yeah. Now I'm starting to question
your launch. I was very confident after
the launch, but now I'm not so sure. The
drag race in the beacon will be
interesting. And a Uh, what? Why? How?
>> Weight and aerodynamics, Matt. But I'm
happy considering the weight and the
aero, I think this is doing all right.
>> Yeah, I think over the quarter mile it
doesn't matter so much, but on the half
mile it really does. But we're going to
do another half mile race now cuz I'm
determined to beat you, Max.
>> Not happening.
Not happening.
>> What we're going to do is a rolling
first gear from 10 mph, and we'll be
started by the starter. Now, if you're
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car.
>> Three.
Two.
One.
>> I've got him.
Blimey, that BMW really shot off.
>> [music]
>> Got him again.
Proper BMW M power.
What happened there?
We're sailing.
Andy, Andy, Andy, Andy, Andy, you cannot
blame aerodynamics cuz in the first part
of that race, you were nowhere. It's
almost like BMW
is lying about its performance figures,
but probably gave Land Rover 4.4 L twin
turbo V8s with the exact figures as
quoted.
>> Yeah, what's interesting is they say the
power is up to 635. They don't say it is
635 horsepower.
>> Uh, cunning. Still, I'm very confident
because I did so well in the first drag
race, I don't think it's going to
matter. I think I'm going to get Land
Rover traction off the line, and I'm
going to win, and we'll find out in a
minute, Max, but first, brake test. I'm
not particularly excited about this
because the brakes on this feel
horrible.
Come on.
Oh my god, the Octa won something. Well
done, Andy. Thank you very much. God,
that was proper stamping on it, but
yeah, love it. I think your big air
brake, your windscreen, worked in your
favor that time. Max, um second place,
second place. Get ready for another
second place. Let's do the drag race.
It's going to be like this across the
line, I guarantee it.
>> Let me show you what it's going to be
like.
I'll be around about that.
>> Well, let's find out. Let's do this drag
race. He's wrong. So, I'm wrong. Before
we race, let's see which of these BMW V8
sounds the best. Is it the one in the
actual BMW? Rev it up, Max.
>> It's not great, is it?
>> Enough of that rubbish. Let's have a
listen to the one in the Land Rover.
Slightly better, still not great. Now,
let's have a little listen to the one in
this Rangey. You ready for this, guys?
>> Yeah, that's better.
>> I am cheating. This has a upgraded
quicksilver exhaust on it, so that's
probably not fair, but anyway, I don't
care. Let's race.
>> 3
2
1
>> Oh,
he had me off the line. Like, absolutely
[music] dropped me.
>> See you, Matt.
>> It's really quick [music] at that bit
there, and I reckon if I get a better
launch, I can have him. Ooh, I don't
know. Is he coming? Oh, he is.
And why am I pulling him back in? This
is mad.
>> [music]
>> He is.
No, no, no. Come on, come on. Get across
the line.
This does not make sense. The auto don't
even count. I don't know why it's even
come.
>> Right, that's really interesting.
There's something bizarre about this
car. I wonder if it has some over boost
function because in drag mode, it is
fast. You got a way better launch than
me cuz I was delayed off the line, bad
reaction. But I was reeling you in, Max.
But you did win that one. So it's one
each. Um Andy.
Sorry, mate. Hey.
>> It's okay.
>> Ready, Maxy? You nervous?
>> You see in the first race, mate, I let
you win just so you think you're being
for a chance to win the whole races
combined. But now I've got it back.
Anyway, some cool feature about the SV,
I'm sure it gives you more torque on the
launch.
>> Yeah, that's why. Yeah, so yeah, he's
talking Well,
I smell it. It's really bad. Oh, it's
like fertilizer season at the farm.
>> 3
2
1
>> Got him. OH, COME ON.
>> [laughter]
>> Come on. No, no, no, no. He's got this.
Oh yeah.
That was a good one.
>> That was literally just the reactions.
>> That was really good.
Yeah.
>> Oh, fair play. That's close. Where is
the Octa?
>> I just want to be fair. Let me just
check. Stewards, did I jump the start?
>> I do not think he did. I was just a
little bit delayed.
>> Hey, there was no jump.
>> One more.
>> One more? That's two one.
>> Andy, you're just a passenger.
>> No, Andy, you're a spectator. Going for
a nice drive in your Octa. Are you going
to contact Land Rover and tell them that
it might be broken cuz it seems like
it's broken. It definitely seems a bit
broken to me.
>> I'm a very comfortable spectator in my
Octa. If there was a competition on how
much can my suspension compress and my
front end lift up in the air, I would
win that. This isn't built for drag
racing, but it is still wonderful to
just just like it.
>> However, Andy, I do have a horrible
feeling that your car may be broken.
You've got form with broken Land Rovers.
>> VICTORY.
>> BLOODY HELL.
>> 3
2
1
>> OH, NO, HE HAD ME ON THE LINE. NO, that
was such a launch.
That might be a good launch. I don't
think I jumped.
No, that's just
>> [music]
>> bad. Come on.
Come on.
I'm breathing in now, but it's too
little, too late. He nailed that. He's
slightly coming back.
Think I've got him.
Please don't say I launched. I don't
think I jumped.
>> Shut up. I actually wasn't concentrating
then. I'd just been on my phone doing a
message and then I noticed the start it
was just starting and he's like, "Ah,
it's only getting enough boost on and it
just didn't like I released the brake,
it didn't do anything." You are lucky,
lucky, lucky. Two each. This is the
decider. I'm on it now. I'll rather get
some cooling into this cuz it's so hot.
I'm just going to go up the runway and
just get it cooled down a bit. Do you
reckon you'll be able to get back down
the runway?
>> [laughter]
>> Will you need a tow?
>> I know your tactic now because I've got
45 mi of range left. So, you're just
going to keep dragging until I run out
of fuel and then you can eventually win.
>> But, you're lighter than me then cuz
I've got 2/3 of a tank. So, I've got
more weight to begin with and I've got
more fuel. This is not fair.
>> Not my problem.
>> This is it. The decider. Everything to
play for. Which BMW is going to win?
This BMW, that BMW. It's definitely not
the other BMW. It's one of these ones.
>> 3
2
1
>> Oh, no. It's a neck and neck. Oh, that's
a good launch.
Oh, [screaming] come on, RANGE ROVER.
COME ON.
NO. [screaming]
JEEZ, COME ON. Come on, please.
Yes. Yes. We're going to do this. We're
going to do this. Rock. Rock. MAKE IT GO
QUICKER, ROCK. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO.
COME ON.
COME ON.
YEAH.
>> [screaming]
>> WOO.
>> THAT WAS SO CLOSE.
>> I GOT A LITTLE bit too excited then. It
really doesn't make any difference to my
life, but in the moment, it meant
everything to me. I'm such a man-child.
>> [laughter]
>> Max, it's so interesting. These cars
launched at exactly the same time, but
you somehow got ahead, but then
[clears throat] this one was quicker and
came past, which wasn't what you'd
expect based on those rolling races.
What a fabulous battle that was.
>> That was very, very satisfying. It It
was like the perfect end of the races.
>> I know. It's mad that we don't even plan
this.
It [laughter] just worked out like that.
Bloody hell. Andy, thanks for coming.
That's all I've got to say.
>> Thanks for having me. Me and my 2.8-ton
armchair have had a great time. Thank
you.
>> So then, what exactly happened? Well,
the Range Rover beat the BMW by the
narrowest of margins, but they both
[music] completed the stunning quarter
mile in 12 seconds dead. The Land Rover
took 13.1 seconds.
>> Listen, I hope you'll enjoy the video.
If you did, give it a like. Let me know
some other drag races you'd like to see
in the comments below. If you want to
compare these cars' quarter mile times
to everything else we've ever drag
raced, just click on the Carwow logo to
go to the Carwow [music] drag race
leaderboard. Thanks for watching. I'll
see you next time.