Entering its third-gen model year, the 2014 BMW X5 is offered in four trims- sDrive35i, xDrive35i, xDrive35d, and xDrive50i. The 35i gets an RWD as standard, and that can be upgraded to an AWD system for just an extra $2,300. The xDrive35d is the diesel version of the same base trim and will be reviewed separately. The xDrive50i is the top-of-the-line offering and comes with AWD as standard. Moreover, it is complemented by a big 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine. Apart from these, it has added opulence like the use of good quality leather, wood trim around the cabin, heating options till the third row, and a lot more. 

The BMW X5’s range kicks off with a well-endowed package, which can be further customized with the likes of the Premium package that adds features like soft-close automatic doors, satellite radio, leather upholstery, and keyless ignition/entry to the base trims. The Luxury Seating package throws in 16-way power-adjustable seats from the 50i, while the Cold Weather package adds heated seats and a heated steering wheel. 

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As you can see, the 2014 X5 is not a pocket-friendly option, given it is a luxury SUV. Sticking with the base xDrive35i would be just fine. It has loaded features that are already on their way to impress you if you are willing to buy one. Or else, if you don’t have problems with spending around 70 grand, then the xDrive50i would be a great choice.

BMW has equipped the 2014 X5 with two engine options. The base engine is a 3.0L turbocharged Inline-6 engine putting out an impressive 300 horsepower and a maximum torque of 300 lb-ft. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and an RWD system as standard. The top variant gets equipped with a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine that belts out 445 horsepower and a maximum torque of 480 lb-ft. 

Both the engines are very refined and have enough grunt for very quick accelerations. The X5 sDrive35i takes 6.2 seconds to reach 60 MPH from a standstill, which is crazy fast for an SUV. It even completes a standing quarter-mile under 14.5 seconds, which is very impressive. One area where BMW takes a setback is its expensive nature in front of the rivals in the segment.

The BMW X5 aces the competition with its staggering lower-end grunt and raw engine power even with the base engine. The next-in-line would be the Merc and the Audi. They both are very close to each other in terms of engine power and acceleration. The Volvo XC90 has got itself in the last place with its underpowered engine, and that ruins the overall driving experience. 

Big SUVs generally get equipped with powerful engine configurations, and that means the fuel economy would be lower than a city hatch or a budget compact sedan. The base 3.0L Inline-6 in the BMW X5 is capable of returning a decent 19 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on the highways, and 22 MPG combined. These figures are best in the segment, and with a smaller 22.4-gallon fuel tank, the driving range takes a hit as rivals come equipped with bigger fuel tanks.

The Bimmer outperforms the competition with a big margin in terms of highway MPG, while Audi’s supercharged V6 engine is the least efficient in the competition. However, it comes equipped with a large fuel tank at 26.4 gallons, which puts its driving range close to X5. The XC90 has poor MPG figures, and the smallest fuel tank at 21.1 gallons sets back its driving range by almost 100 miles when compared to its rivals.

With the 2014 model year, the BMW X5 got significant interior styling upgrades and new features. As you step inside, you will be greeted by a generously spacious cabin. The luxury it offers is unmatched in the segment with all-leather and wood treatments. The interior design is striking yet minimal with additional storage at the sides. The instrument cluster on offer has been refined for the driver’s convenience. The seats on offer are faux leather as standard which feels cheap, while the higher trim gets genuine leather ones. 

The front bucket seats are quite comfortable and come with multi-level heating and power adjustability. The rear row feels a bit cramped with less legroom, while the front has an ample amount of head and legroom. While that is the case with the 5-seater variant, the optional 7-seater is nowhere near the word “comfortable” in the rear rows. The cargo capacity on offer is decent at 35.8 cubic feet and can easily fit your weekend getaway luggage without any problem.

The M-Class offers a more-or-less similar room like the BMW, and they are the only standard 5-seaters in the competition. The Audi Q7 has a more compact interior than the Volvo but can be used as a 7-seater without any issue. The Bimmer does stand out in the competition with its first-row space but falls back in the rear-row legroom, but the quality of craftsmanship inside is as good as the rivals. That said, some of the standout interior features are:

• 10-way power-adjustable front seats with power lumbar support
• Faux leather seats
• Wooden trims
• Heated seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Leather steering wheel
• Active interior charcoal air filter

How intuitive is the 2014 BMW X5’s infotainment unit?

Greeted by a 10.2-inch touchscreen display, the infotainment unit on the 2014 BMW seems to be crisp and feature-packed. Coupled with BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, the interaction is as seamless as it can be. The display has no lag while using it and is well-calibrated to read soft touches. Apart from USB connectivity and satellite radio, the X5 gets a navigation system as standard. It also comes with voice-activated controls to reduce distractions while driving. Apart from that, you also get BMW Assist, a nine-speaker sound system with a CD player, a USB interface, and an HD radio. Some of the standout infotainment features are:

• 10.2-inch touchscreen display
• 205 Watt, 9-speaker audio system
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Navigation system
• HD radio
• Voice-activated controls

With a revamped styling, the 2014 BMW X5 looks more modern and sleek in our opinion. The new design language gets a new sharper front end with sharp HID headlights, LED DRLs, and the obligatory “kidney” grille. The changes were needed to stand firm in the competition, and it does quite well now. The rear fascia has LED taillights and is quite similar to the outgoing model. Also, the SUV sits on a set of 18-inch alloy wheels as standard. 

In terms of the overall dimensions, the X5 is slightly big for a 5-seater, but it is compact for a 7-seater too. It has a hefty curb weight, a good height, adequate width, and a massive ground clearance of 8.2 inches, which ensures that the SUV can be taken offroad without any issues whatsoever. In every dimension, BMW stands between the rivals, offering majorly standard dimensions as per the segment.

The Q7 is bigger and has a better road presence than the other three competitors. It is also the heaviest and is followed by the X5, but the latter has a slightly better ground clearance. The M-Class and the XC90 are similarly sized, but the former has a much lower ground clearance than the latter. Some of the standout highlights of the exterior are:

• Heated and powered mirrors
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• HID headlamps and 
• LED taillights 
• LED DRLs
• Power liftgate
• Panoramic sunroof

BMW claims that the X5 is a pretty safe car to be inside. It comes with loads of safety features, a good build quality, and reliability you cannot deny. The crash ratings are not available because of the SUV’s high manufacturing cost. The NHTSA has not performed any crash tests to confirm what the company claims, but the IIHS has rated “Good” in the categories tested. Some of the standout safety features in the X5’s arsenal include:

• Tire pressure monitor
• Stability and traction control
• Post-collision safety system
• Automatic brake drying
• Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
• Blind-spot monitor
• Top-down camera system
• Lane departure warning
• Forward collision warning
• Collision mitigation system

With its slightly hefty price tag, there are no complaints to be made except for the rear-seat legroom. With the 2014 BMW X5's slightly updated exterior and interior, the experience has been fantastic. And from a mechanical point of view, the engine makes decent power and also delivers a slightly better fuel economy than its closest rivals. To sum it up, if you want an all-around mid-size SUV, then the 2014 BMW X5 won’t disappoint you.