[00:02] if it's any good, I'm going to review it. Oh my god. Also, to see if it moves the game on, I'm going to compare it to the old BMW X5.
[00:18] design of the new X5. So, in the past, BMW has evolved the look of the X5 with every other generation. And so, it was the case until now, cuz they've gone, "Sit. Let's just go completely crazy and make it look different to all its
[00:31] predecessors. And different it does look different in a good way or in a bad way. stories to find out what you think. But first, I'm going to tell you what I first, I'm going to tell you what I think. So,
[00:44] be quite polarizing, and in some ways it is. When I first saw it, I wasn't sure, but it has grown on me. And that tends to be the case with BMW designs when they do things a little bit daring. I like the way that you have the X's as
[00:58] way the grill illuminates the smaller kidney grills. I'm getting used to those as well. This is just more classy. It looks like a normal SUV, whereas this is definitely more like something from the future better. If you want visual drama,
[01:12] I'd say it is from the front at least. But what about the back? When you look classy. It's the same as the front really, but I do prefer the rear of this car than the front of it. And it looks like an X5. It looks like an SUV. And
[01:24] then you move to the new one and it's the same story as the front. It's just modern. In fact, this is quite a boxy car, whereas look at this. It's got more of a sloping roof line there. You also have these wider hips. It's sort of
[01:38] interesting about it. So, if you look this is the EX-5. It's the electric version, but it isn't. It's actually the underneath here, we have the exhaust
[01:50] embarrassment of them. It's hiding them away. Whereas on this old car, you can proud of them. It's actually accentuating them. And as someone who's a Gen Xer, big exhaust pipes equal big power. So, I like exhaust pipes on a
[02:05] from the new one. There is something I really don't like about the back end of More on that later. Overall though, from the rear, it's a tough one because I do like the classy look of that. But I also like this. It's a tough call. Things get
[02:18] a little bit easier to decide on from the side though for me. These cars look very different. You wouldn't even know that they were related. So, the old car looks like an SUV. This looks like a big chunky hatchback. Now, the height
[02:32] difference, well, the old car is 1.6 cm taller than the new car. I know it looks like way more. It's because I have the air suspension slammed in that car. I'm going to put it all the way up. We'll see if it looks much different.
[02:45] Now, I've actually raised the car up by 6 cm. Speaking of 6 cm, the new model is 6 cm longer than the old one. It's also 6 cm longer in the wheelbase. So, the effect of that when we climb inside in a bit. So, now it's a bit more SUV,
[03:00] that hatchback vibe, hasn't it, than the old car. There's also really less going on with it. So, part of BMW's new design, it's just this like smooth door profile. Look, the only creases you get really are here over the wheel arches,
[03:15] and they're almost too high. It's like when someone has a facelift and like much. Whereas if you go to the old car, you've got this black cladding there, so it's very SUV like you have like clear creases creating character down the car.
[03:29] here which actually get in the way when you get in and out the car, but it just creates the whole SUV vibe. And you've got normal door handles. More on that in normal door handles. From a distance, you can't even see them. So it looks
[03:43] they are there. Another thing worth mentioning is this. You don't have like the plastic surround for the windows. Basically, they copied this design from the Range Rover and it just looks more modern than the old way of doing things
[03:56] is you don't have the running boards and so you have these bits that are like almost like side skirts but not quite giving the car more sporty look. Another that on the old car wheel sizes went from 19 going to 22. These start at 21s
[04:12] go all the way up to 23s. These ones are 22s, I believe. So, that's all well and door handles, cuz this is less good. While they look cool, they're just not While they look cool, they're just not as easy to use as traditional handles.
[04:25] of that. Now, with these, you have to like just pull like that. Oh god, it's Oh, got to unlock it. Sorry. It's got a setting on It's a real pain.
[04:38] everything is electrically controlled. has just allowed the system to operate because there's just a little touch sensitive sensor behind there which can open the door. But to me that just doesn't sound quite as solid as the old
[04:52] car and just opening the collar just seems a bit it's like you pull on it and then it releases. It's changed for changes sake. It's not actually progress. It's just different. And that brings on to the interior.
[05:04] you my verdict on the overall design. So, when I first compared the new BMW X5 I wasn't quite used to the design, but BMW designs always grow on you. And now,
[05:16] I do slightly prefer the look of the new car. It's less traditional, less X5e, but it is cooler. However, did the internet that voted on my Instagram 41% thought that the new car looked better and 59% thought that the old car
[05:31] thought about the inside. So, let's go check that out. The interior of the new check that out. The interior of the new X5 is a blend of the EX and the old X5. So, it feels noticeably more modern and futuristic than its predecessor. I mean,
[05:44] BMW's panoramic eye vision display where you got all these icons and information right above the dash. This all works there, but then some of the other icons are just Why do I need to know my
[05:56] elevation? Why do I need to know my compass setting? You also have sat nav graphics but it's too thin for you to be able to see where you're actually going. almost information overload. So you have the satnav there. If you got the head-up
[06:09] heads-up display, it's really impressive. And then you have it here on it's like where where shall I look? Too many choices. Now the infotainment system itself is pretty decent. The screen is very clear, very sharp. It's
[06:24] have to control the climate stuff through it. So, there's no actual physical buttons, but they're always on screen the whole time. And there's lots little while to get used to. I can actually change some of the icons and
[06:38] information that is shown on that heads-up display there. And the central instead of the maps, I could go with the trip computer or the dynamics page, which has your like turbo boost and all that kind of stuff. And when you go into
[06:52] Where is sports mode? Oh, yeah. You have to do this dup. Then dup. It's not just a press of a button down here anymore. I can get the ref counter up. Although I want the rev counter to be there, not
[07:05] got your climate controls here. And if you want to move the direction of the vents, you do have to go in to the actual climate menu and then move it this car in about 20 years time. I wonder how much of that would have
[07:17] broken. But I think it's easier to use overall than the previous car just because you got all these settings down here. Much like on a Tesla. Yeah, they about the shape of it though. They're just creating shapes for the heck of it.
[07:30] And also don't like it with the optional passenger display which I can't operate safety reasons. Just don't like passenger displays. The dashes on itself is pretty cool. And the materials used on it fairly nice apart from these
[07:43] on it fairly nice apart from these plasticky bits. And if you look in the there's actually ambient lighting. You change the color of that and it sort of It's quite unusual. I tell it's also unusual for BMW. Rather than having the
[07:57] seat controls here, they're on the door like in a Mercedes, only they're not fully on the door because if you want to do things like extend the actual seat base, you have to press a button and then go into the screen to do it.
[08:09] Why? Why? Why? Why? And I could say, why about the steering wheel? So, I feel more like I'm flying a spacecraft than steering a car with this. In some ways, bits. And I don't like the touch sensitive controls here. I'm just never
[08:23] not. and the shape's a bit awkward. However, it actually feels nice to hold. So, you can either hold it there or hold it there. I do actually like it to use. I'm just not the biggest fan of how it looks. I'm also not the biggest fan of
[08:36] quality over the previous X5. I'll show you in a minute. But if you just look at indicators and stuff. Look at that. Right. And then down here on the door bins, by the way, the door bins are pretty large and practical. That is like
[08:50] you got other bits which are quite unusual like this. Look, that's that's stone. It's a thin slice of stone. I'm very worried that that could be cracked on it. Anyway, while I'm here, let's just talk through the storage. Pretty
[09:02] wireless charging there and there. You got USBs. You got a glove box there lined with felt. So, that feels expensive. Let's just jump into the old car so I can show you the difference. It
[09:15] does feel older. I do believe that the new one's infotainment system is just easier to use by being able to swipe through all the menus here. But in other got the satnav on this one here, right in front of you. Right, that is the best
[09:28] don't even have to glance across there if you don't want to. And other things change the direction of the air vents, I just do it like that. I want to change buttons here. I want to move the base bit on my seat, I just reach down here
[09:41] and press a button. It's all there for me. I want to open the door handle, I button I got to press to open the door handle. The steering wheel is round. It physical buttons, so they're easy to press and just feel more natural.
[09:55] do prefer holding the wheel in the new car. The quality in here just feels slightly better as well, dare I say it. So, just that just feels a bit more weighty. And down here, we've got soft touch on the door bins. Another thing
[10:07] seats. Don't know what it is. Maybe it's the quilting effect on these, but Another way this car feels a bit more expensive is how it covers up the cup holders. Obviously fitting a sliding cubby cover costs more money and that's
[10:23] car and you can just get the vibe that they've spent on tech and so in other Do you know what visually I prefer this system? I think it's better. But what did everyone else think? Let's have a
[10:37] look at my Instagram story cuz I asked them about the interior. 40% preferred the new interior. 60% preferred this old interior. Well, I think we agree on that at least. But what about the driving experience? Has it improved? Time to
[10:50] find out. Before driving this car, I actually went out in the previous generation just to set a baseline for this so I can compare it. Now, there is one big difference between that car and this car. The old car was on just normal
[11:03] passive suspension. This is on adaptive air suspension. And instantly, you can the old car just felt great, but this one is like so soft and comfy and can feel already. It's the added weight. So, this car weighs 2.3 tons. So, it's
[11:19] So, this car weighs 2.3 tons. So, it's about 125 kilos heavier. It's quite a lot, but there is something very like solid feeling about this. It feels the road. The one thing I like when I'm driving cars in the US, they just sound
[11:32] better. They have less regulations for noise. So, cars just seem fruier. Throttle response in normal mode is so so you have to give sport mode, which is a bit of faf pressing this button here. Sports mode
[11:46] here as well on the gearbox. Got the rev counter up now. Other than the engine sound, this is quiet. Let me just check something.
[12:03] that quiet. There is one thing I'm not sure about though, and it is this like you're in a spaceship, I think it just rises up a little bit too high over the bonnet. So, it just reduces the
[12:17] amount of glass you're looking through. It's not a big deal. I suppose if I sat higher, I'd just see over it. Yeah, I would. But I like sitting low. Let's this button here. Don't like the dark mode that it goes into sport. I much
[12:30] that has light mode on his phone. Do you have light mode or dark mode? >> Oh, everything dark. >> Why? cuz my eyes hurt. >> You make my brain hurt. Right, let's put the cruise control on.
[12:45] assisted driving because I'm in the States in certain places it will let you wheel, but it'll tell me when I can do that. And I don't think now is the time that I can. I have to say the heads-up display of this car is phenomenal. But I
[12:59] do have information overload. So many screens saying the same thing. I don't know where to look. Can I take my hands off? Taking my hands off. Can I do it here or is it going to get cross? It's not getting cross. No, it is getting
[13:11] >> It's very comfy. The seats are not as good, though. >> The seats are not as good, are they? The engine's as good, if not slightly better. In fact, it is slightly better. So, you get the same 3 L straight 6
[13:23] turbo. In the old car, it had 380 horsepower. In this one, 400 horsepower. N 60 5.3 seconds. Now, we won't actually be getting this engine in the United Kingdom. The range actually starts with the iix-5, the electric 160 from
[13:39] £85,000. And that car has 578 horsepower. Or you can pay a bit more and you can get the diesel though that comes in slightly higher trim. M Sport that is about 500 quid more and it has 313 horsepower. So the electric car
[13:51] seems like a bit of a bargain. I'll actually test that fully when I'm back in the UK. I want to have a go with the petrol first. So let's see if we can do this auto cruise. Come on. Assisted driving activated. Can I take my hands
[14:04] off? Is this a place where it's permitted? No, it's not. Where is I mean Why not here? Then if you can hear I'm getting a bit of wind noise from up very windy today, which is probably
[14:16] making it worse. Handsree activated. Look. So now I can just chill. Will it take me off this junction handsree? No, it wants my hands back on the wheel handsfreeness. Look how slow it's going. This car can go quick around this
[14:29] corner. BMW software guys clearly have little faith in their engineers because around there quicker. Although we might have ended up driving into the back of that. No, we wouldn't have because it's got auto brake. Still steering here.
[14:44] It's quite good. It works with you. So you can steer and it lets you and then it'll take over. You just work together. It's not like a Tesla system where if you're trying to put in any input that it doesn't like it's like no turn it
[14:56] it doesn't like it's like no turn it off. be. Even in sports mode, the suspension feels good. Granted, these roads are very smooth.
[15:11] Wait a minute. Oh my god. BMW drivers have a reputation for not using their have a reputation for not using their indicators. And so BMW has now indicators. And so BMW has now introduced automatic indicators.
[15:24] So it doesn't matter. They know how to answer to their customers needs. That is >> Yeah, I thought it was you. >> I just turned the window. I didn't press it's on the auto cruise thing, but I was like, I'm going to go over into that
[15:36] indicator. Brilliant. In about 5 years time, people use their indicators because the car will do it for them. I'll do it again. I didn't do it then. It's only when it wants to change lane for the route. Got
[15:51] to say though, it's a very nice car to drive, isn't it? or not drive if it's driving you. Either way, feels very luxurious. Better than the old one. Definitely a bit of a step up. Not huge, but a step up, which is kind of
[16:04] the point? I have to say the satnav junction you need. It's very clear. Normally, I'd be using Google Maps, but I actually think with this car, I might
[16:17] not. Well, I have to say this is a very pleasant experience as the driver, but what is this car like for people in the back? There's more knee room. It helps In fact, there's loads of knee room. Foot space is pretty good as well. The
[16:32] seats are comfy. There's lots of under thigh support. Head room is okay. Look the old car cuz the roof line is slightly lower, but really it doesn't matter. The windows go all the way down. And you have builtin sun blinds. Nice.
[16:48] Look. See? Look. There we go. Other things you got back here which are quite cool. Look. See this? What's this all about? Well, you can slaughter that boy in there. And then you get your mobile phone. And if you got the magnet thing,
[17:01] you can just attach it there like that to watch your phone when someone's driving you along. And there's another magnet thing down here for your wireless charging. there. Then you got your climate control there.
[17:13] You've got your seat back pockets for storage. You got your door bins which are decent size. But yet again, that feels cheaper than in the old car. And Right. Oh, yeah. We have got some lovely pillows here. But
[17:28] like in the front, you fold this down. You have exposed cup holders. In the old car, there's this mechanism which keeps them hidden. Obviously, that is more expensive to produce, and they have saved money on this newer one here.
[17:40] H there's another way they save money into the boot. I used to own a Mark1 BMW X5 and one of the things I really liked about it was this. It had a split tailgate. Really handy. Makes it nice and easy to load because the load height
[17:56] is low yet you can then just open this part of the boot if you want to to just drop stuff in. Now the X5 has always had this feature. It differentiates it from this feature. It differentiates it from the X3. However, things have changed.
[18:10] So, now the new car has a normal tailgate. It's not split folding anymore. It's just the same as the X3. Doesn't feel special. In terms of the actual capacity, it's the same. It's about 650
[18:24] load because the low lip isn't that being able to quickly open the top part, drop stuff in. Save some money though, money, rather than buying a new car, you might want to buy the old X5. You see,
[18:38] on Car Wow, I found a previous generation X5. It's actually the X5M Competition from 2023 with just 18,000 mi on the clock for £73,000.
[18:50] H bit of a bargain considering you get 625 horsepower. However, there's always a risk when buying used. You see, you can never be sure of a car's history. That is unless you do a car vertical history check. It's definitely worth
[19:02] considering buying because here's an example of a car vertical history check on another BMW X5 and this report comes back with a very poor car vertical score just 47 out of 100. The reason for that is that there are three reports of
[19:17] damage and one of them was structural. So you probably wouldn't want to buy the damage unless you've done the car vertical history check. So if you're out Car Vertical. Use the link in the description of this video and the code
[19:33] car wow for 20% off. So then what's my final verdict on the new BMW X5? Should you avoid it, consider it, shortlist it, or just go right ahead and buy it? Well, in some ways the old car is better, but in more the new one is. So if you can
[19:45] get on with the looks, I reckon you should shortlist the X5. It's a really good all round car. But is it better than the new Audi Q7? Click on the video out. Thanks for watching and I'll see you next