2021 BMW X5 review: The ultimate luxury SUV?

The BMW X5 has a long history as one of the sportiest luxury SUVs on the market. But we've found that it's not hard to find yourself regretting big wheel options with a super firm ride to match its sporty looks. So, what happens when you are a little more restrained with your wheel choices? Paul Maric gets behind the wheel of the 2021 BMW X5 to see if it can be a little more civilised when it needs to be.

Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Exterior 01:04
Interior 03:16
Infotainment 04:49
Safety Tech 06:51
Practicality 07:51
On the road 12:04
Verdict 17:42

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CarExpert:

Paul Maric:

#bmw #review #x5

[Nebs]

Gotta love these reviews. It shows so many details of the car without getting bogged down in pointless information.

I can’t stand when a car reviewer has a 20 minute review that misses showing basic parts of the car, yet somehow finds time for a 9 minute monologue discussing the emotions of driving a Corolla while thinking about the entire history of Toyota

[-TJ-]

My mum had her's for 2 years now, its gone by fast. Brilliant car, well refined in every aspect.
They gave pretty strong discounts on the price before we even asked, so I wouldn't let it deter you just yet.

[dolguldur]

Love the review...quick and simple, yet easy to understand...nice job paul..and congrats becoming a father now

[dhiju]

Thanks Paul.. great review.. going to get one next weekend but was soo confused with the velar mainly for the looks factor.. this review nailed it for me I guess

[josiahfolau]

Great review as always Paul, and congrats on the new addition to the family! Any chance of an LDV Ute review? 😊🙏

[bornfish]

The 20" and 21" tyres are runflats and tend to give a firmer ride in my experiences, but the optional 22" are standard non-runflats. I got the 22" tyres and the ride is nice with the optional adaptive 2-axle air suspension which is only about $1, 700 but well worth the extra cost.
I compared against the Merc GLE, and whilst the GLE was a quiet and comfortable ride, it felt lifeless and boring compared to the sporty X5. Beware also Merc GLE 300, as it is only a 2.5L 4 cylinder (misleading naming), and to get the comparable 3.0L 6 cylinder diesel, you have to pay an extra $18k for the GLE 400 that doesn't give any other extra options.
Also, X5 was 3 months delivery for a new build (from South Carolina, USA), but Merc GLE was 6+ months wait and they wouldn't honour a trade in value (low mileage Range Rover Sport) for longer than 3 months, based on my experience ordering new build end of Jan 2021. The X5 just makes sense, and includes safety and other equipment that are cost options elsewhere.

[DPK]

Great review. You just got a new subscriber ...I'm bored with others thinking they are auditioning for top gear

[s]

Suggestion: use the durometer to quantify how soft the seat and seatback are. Car journalists often the seat is 'supportive', 'firm', etc. Now you have a way to quantify those adjectives.

[yuvikakkar]

Another Excellent Review. Thanks Paul.

[inderpreetsingh]

As usual, nice review, still waiting when you will do review for BMW X7.

[mikeysx]

Haha was just looking for an X5 review on your channel the other day. Cheers Paul!

[noormuhd]

This channel deserve more subscribers!!!

[fredbarnes]

The hot/cold wheel dial was initially available for front passengers in some BMW models as a way of marginally increasing or decreasing the temp of air blowing just out of vents pointing at faces. On a really cold day with the heating cranked you may not want super hot air blowing on your face, so you can cool that down a few degrees without changing the cabin temp dramatically. Vice versa for hot weather. I presume BMW popped one in the rear of the X5 as an alternative to having a separate zone in the rear, but still giving the ability to slightly increase or decrease the temp in the rear compared to main cabin temp setting. Strange that 3 zone air con isn't standard in X5 when it is in X3, X4 and 3 Series sedan.

[raghavshankara]

Nice review as usual Paul...if you are given a choice of X5 30d and X540i which one would you pick? And why.
Tks

[JohanSchmidt]

You asked about the colours on the air vents - been a while since I had a BMW, but it used to be a way to adjust the temp of the air coming out at head level versus the hot air at your feet - really nice way to prevent driver fatigue in a hot car

[brahimelhindaoui]

I've been in love with this car from 2016
I hope i can buy it in the future

[tylerhaines]

Excellent Video once again Paul
Mind you one question ive been edging to ask, do you use iPhone or Samsung? because in the smartphone mirroring tests I always see "Pauls Galaxy S20+" do you just have that on hand for the tests? Or do you just want to flex that you can have two phones 😆

[JohanSchmidt]

Paul, can you do a video on towing - what do the different stats mean eg 3500kg braking - is that a caravan, boat etc and which cars can tow what - eg Rav4 AWD - thanks

[sarahnick]

Hey Paul, great review!
Any plan to review new Ssangyong Rexton 2021?

[Grvmps]

A great package but yeah that price, even before options, is a killer.