Is this smart performance SAV a Delicious Monster?

Blessed with a strong pedigree from both branches of the BMW and M family tree, the BMW X5 M is a smart performance Sports Activity Vehicle.  Serious spec and power… is it a Delicious Monster?

The rise of the high-performance SUV with supercar acceleration

The basis of the BMW X5 is a good solid place to start.  This SUV, or SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) as BMW calls it, has the looks, prestige, technology, safety, performance, quality and sales success one wants in a premium SUV.

When BMW introduced the first X5 M and X6 M, these were landmark cars in being the first BMW M SAVs and the first 4x4 BMW M cars.  Building on the desirable attributes of the BMW X5 and the success of the first BMW X5 M, the addition of an M behind the X5 name says a lot, in 3 short characters.

Its entire drivetrain is upgraded to top-spec, with BMW X5 M seeing the installation of a 4.4-litre V8 turbo putting out a considerable 423kW at 6000 r/min, and torque of 750Nm available across most of the rev range you would normally use (2200-5000 r/min).

If you like the sporty modern-day turbo blurrrpp-grrrr sound when changing gear or quickly lifting off the fast pedal, the X5 M will delight, though if you were expecting a V8 growl, you will enjoy the X5 50i engine and exhaust more… but the X5 M has a serious bass at low to medium revs, issued unashamedly through 4 big M exhaust pipes.  Arriving at a smart venue will have heads turning to hear and see you in your X5 M, with positive comments of how mean it sounds.

The rise of the high-performance SUV/SAV with supercar acceleration is happening – the BMW X5 M can run from stop to 100km/h in a very strong 4.2 seconds, which is on par with many supercars, and sharing the podium with the world’s fastest-accelerating SUVs.  The powerhouse engine and all-wheel drive through a quick-acting 8-speed M Sports Steptronic gearbox (with a short 1st gear) and substantial tyres make it jump off the line, in a way that sees the driver and all occupants strain their necks to stay upright.

The driver better be quick when using the nice mechanical-feeling paddle-shifters behind the steering wheel – 1st gear is up to the rev limiter in just over 1 second, and it will obey the driver’s command by holding onto the selected gear, so a snappy paddle shift to 2nd gear is needed.  Get this right, or simply let the car do its job automatically, brilliantly, and you have one serious performance monster, with space and comfort for a family, and the height and comfort of an SUV (OK, SAV).

Elevated feeling

The BMW X5 M is elevated above the X5 and most other SUV types not just in performance terms.  The interior is a special place to be – the standard X5 does have plenty of equipment and a quality feel, but the X5 M just raises the bar to top status.  Get on-board, and you get that rich luxury cossetting feeling.  The elevated life feeling.

Soft silky-smooth luxurious Merino leather is standard, and generously extended to the dashboard top, centre console, door top rolls… the black all-leather with light contrast stitching running dual lines on the contours of the seats, dashboard, door tops and console give a tailored look.  The steering wheel stitch-work is in blue and red criss-cross, as per BMW M tradition.  The deep carbon-fibre trim finishers cost R 10 800, giving that final motorsport touch.

The whole look of the new BMW X5 M is made much more aggressive than the previous car, and cannot be mistaken for even an X5 with M Sports pack – the huge bumpers make a monster-mouth front-end, and cut-lined rear-end with vertical red reflector inserts (and that quad M exhaust) announce its sporty intent with confidence.

Smart spec

The BMW X5 M tested and photographed show the special titanium-like grey – not a drab grey, but rather a high-lustre gleaming paint exclusive to BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M, called Donington Grey.  This is off-set with chrome detailing, like the air breathers slithers of chrome adjacent to the front wheels, finished with a proud X5 M badge.

When buying your X5 M, please make sure it has the upgrade from too-small 20-inch to these fleshy sporty 21-inch wheels as pictured, worth the R 29 500 for this set with 285/35 R21 and monstrous 325/30 R21 rear tyres.  These are key to the solid look and feel of the X5 M, and still give a very comfortable ride.

Some nice toys specced on this SAV include the Bang & Olufsen high-end surround sound system, which will keep occupants entertained when the speaker with illumination rises from the dashboard, before delivering superb sound.  The factory-fit rear entertainment at R 30 600 gives 2 high-quality tablet-style high-def screens for rear occupants, along with hours of visual and audio entertainment – ideal for short or long journeys, whether kids or adults.

This X5 M also has deep-tinted blacked-out windows, adding to the menacing look, keeping driver and occupants visually isolated… for that VIP feeling.

The current new retail price of a BMW X5 M including specced options is R 1 763 100.

BMW X5 M review - Is this smart performance SAV a Delicious Monster?

The BMW X5 M is a combination of supercar performance with luxury – BMW M Power with BMW M luxury.  It ticks all the desired check boxes for a top-end SUV/SAV.

The power, looks, interior and esteem make this BMW X5 M a delicious looking-driving car, with monster power and presence.  We’ll call it Delicious Monster, like the plant by this name photographed in the background.

The test car was provided courtesy of who is currently advertising this BMW X5 M on Auto Trader website at R 1 599 000.