Ranking All Generations Of BMW X5

It has been a few months now since the G65 X5 debuted. Plenty of time for the Neue Klasse design language to settle in and allow the initial shock to wear off. I have seen them popping up at dealerships and customers are slowly finding their way into the fifth-generation X5. So, it got me thinking, how do all the generations compare to one another? Since I have not driven the new X5 and it's been awhile since I have driven any X5, my thoughts will purely be on design, capability, and personal preference.

To start, we should talk about the car that started it all: the E53. The first-generation X5 was made for model years 2000 - 2006 and was the first model of the now ever expanding BMW X lineup. As the pioneer into the SUV (or SAV in BMW’s case) market, a lot was riding on its back. It had to have the looks and more importantly the feel of a BMW. To accomplish this, they started with what would some argue as the best car they’ve ever made, the E39 5-series. Essentially, BMW took the E39 and gave it a lift kit. Since they also owned Land Rover at this point, a lot of that technology was shared to enhance the E53 with offroad capabilities. In the end, BMW created a car suitable for the apexes of the street and the treachery of a dirt road to your neighbor’s house. It handled very well for being BMW’s first foray into a new segment and is still praised today for its unique dynamics.

The E53 was available in six and eight cylinder engines, ranging from 228 horsepower in the bottom 3.0i to 355 horsepower in the range topping 4.8is. It featured a split tailgate (borrowed from the Land Rover), a beautiful interior inspired by the E39, and a timeless exterior. Also, it’s worth mentioning that it could be ordered with a manual transmission! Spoiler alert, this is the only X5 to offer this. The E53 set the bar high and was a huge success for BMW. It paved the way for more X vehicles to join the lineup and cemented what and how an X5 should be going forward.

With the E53 setting the bar so high, surely its successor would fall a bit short? To me, this couldn’t be further from the truth. I believe the E70 is the best generation of X5. It took everything that made the E53 good and perfected it. Made for model years 2007 to 2013, the E70 dominated the road with its exterior design. An ideal blend of sportiness and luxury; large muscular proportions, yet expertly refined. The interior was elevated, bringing in creature comforts such as massaging and ventilated seats, the iDrive system, and an optional third row. It all just worked so well together and as a result there are still many to be seen on the road today.

Powertrain options for the E70 started with the naturally aspirated N52, which was good for 268 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. For the first time, the X5 received the full “M” treatment and was powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 codenamed S63. It produced 555 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque. Having driven this, I can attest that it’s truly intoxicating and makes for the perfect daily (please ignore the atrocious reliability). Now, for the first time in the States, you can also have the X5 as a diesel. E70 loyalists will say this is the one to have as its reliability is great and its maintenance costs are relatively cheaper. The E70 continued what the E53 laid down, a great all around vehicle perfectly suitable for day to day life.

The third generation of X5 was released for model year 2014 and was codenamed F15. This was the shortest generation of X5 as it was fully replaced at the end of its life in 2018. Only five model years, which is an abnormally short lifespan. Nonetheless, how did it hold up during its short stint? Did it carry the torch forward or let the flame die out? The short answer is yes it did carry it forward, but it is not without its flaws. The F15 was and still is a great car, I believe; however, compared to the E70, it just lost that little something. Hydraulic steering was replaced for electric, the dynamism seems to be numbed, and the looks were a bit softer. While this is all personal preference, I have driven many F15 and compared to the E70, it definitely feels a bit more dull. Driving feel aside, it still does a lot well. The interior was beautiful and classic BMW. This was at a time when technology was really starting to become a focal point, and the F15 does a great job at balancing this out with a traditional setup. The inside was a comfortable place to be and paired nicely with the inoffensive exterior. Especially with the M-sport package, the F15 is a great sight to behold. I just wish it had a bit of the beefiness the previous generation had.

Like the E70 before it, the F15 offered many similar engine options. A three-liter turbo straight-six could be had in either regular gasoline or as a diesel. The X5M returns for another generation as the F85, and offers the same high performance twin-turbo V8. Many updates were made to it to improve reliability. For the first time, not only for the X5 but for the BMW core brand; however, a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid variant known as the xDrive40e was an option. This mated the N20, a turbo four-cylinder, to an electric motor good for 308 horsepower and approximately 68mpg. The F15 capitalized off the success of the E70 and continued to diversify its options to help appeal to a wider customer base.

As the 2019 model year rolled around, so did the next generation of X5. Internally known as the G05, the X5 was more modern than ever after its refresh. Its exterior was bold and imposing with its big kidney grilles and angled design. Step inside and you can immediately tell this was the most luxurious of all the generations. Glass controls, beautifully upholstered seats, massaging seats, heated and cooled cup holders, the G05 spared no expense when it came to treating you like royalty. While you would think that all this luxury would hinder the driving experience, it actually still handled like a BMW. The steering felt a little crisper than the F15 and the feedback was on par with a vehicle of its size. Additional options included four wheel steering and adjustable air suspension.

The G05 made use of the same engine choices as its predecessor, but with a few changes. Gone was the diesel version from the US market. The plug-in hybrid was upgraded from the four-cylinder N20 to the six-cylinder B58 and now went by the xDrive45e and xDrive50e. An M-performance model (M50i & M60i) was added to the mix and sat between the base six-cylinder xDrive40i and the full fledged X5M. Perhaps most interestingly, a hydrogen fuel cell model was released with about 100 demonstration vehicles and was known as the iX5 Hydrogen.

That brings us to today with the release of the G65. Once revealed, my initial thoughts were subpar as it looked too similar to its younger counterpart, the iX3. While I love the design, I also prefer models to have their own identity. But after a little bit of time and seeing some live photos of the car, I started to warm up to it. It is a very big vehicle and commands the presence that an X5 should. Its distinct “X” headlights I find charming and its shape is unique to itself. What I haven’t warmed up to is the interior. It follows the Neue Klasse design style which is just too minimalistic for me. By no means is it a bad interior, but its predecessor the G05 I find to have so much more character. The large floating screen, lack of buttons, and barebones dashboard leaves me wanting more. I would love to get behind the wheel to accurately compare all the generations in terms of driver feel and comfort. I am also sad to see the split tailgate depart, I know in the end many people are happy with this, but it was one of the few cars to still offer it and was a unique characteristic of the X5.

The G65 will be the first generation of X5 to be offered with five different powertrains. These include gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid, full electric, and hydrogen fuel cell. It is by far the most versatile of the generations and will have no problem fitting into any market the globe has to offer. BMW has confirmed that the X5M will be making a return for its fourth generation as well as the first ever all electric X5M. The G65 brings plenty of excitement as it ushers in the new era and it will be fascinating to see it evolve over the years.

*The BMW X5 Generations (Photo: BMW AG)*

Now, the moment we have all been waiting for. Where exactly do these generations fall in my personal ranking system? I will start with least favorite and then make my way up to most favorite.

Coming in at number 5 is the G65. Now, this probably is not a surprise to most and many also probably have it at the bottom of their respective lists. The interior is not my style and I believe it loses a little bit of what made an X5 an X5. I hope once I get to experience one I can assess it more fairly, but for now it sits at the bottom of the list.

Next on my list is the F15. As I mentioned earlier, the steering feel and dynamics were much too dull for my liking. It felt overly assisted to the point where it felt something was wrong. Now, I only drove the xDrive50i and the X5M versions, and the xDrive50i was the biggest culprit. I love the interior and find it comforting, but I wish the exterior was just a little bit more, especially in the rear. A great car, just not for me.

In third place is the E53. The genesis of the X5 and all X vehicles finds itself squarely in the middle of my theoretical list. I love the styling, both pre and post LCI have aged incredibly well and the interior is incredibly nostalgic. The fact that you could have it in a manual definitely wins it some brownie points and sharing some Land Rover technology makes it probably the most offroad capable X5. The E53 has this shroud of specialness around it. I don't see them as frequently as I used to, making them such a pleasant surprise when I do.

The runner-up has to go to the G05. The fourth generation X5 is a fabulous car that does everything correctly. It’s comfortable, handles very well, looks great inside and outside, and harmoniously blends technology with old school feel (mainly the pre-LCI). BMW sold so many of them over the eight model year run and there’s no wonder why. The G05 is a very complete car, but it is slightly edged out by the winner of this list.

Finally, to the surprise of no one, the X5 at the top of my list goes to the E70. To me, this is the quintessential X5 and often the generation I think of when “X5” is mentioned. It is the best looking of the bunch, where after 13 years it has held up incredibly well. The interior is peak BMW, buttons where they should be with minimal screen interruption all in a driver-centered matter. The value proposition on these is also fantastic with any engine option able to be found under five figures. If you need an all in one vehicle, the E70 is the one to get!

Ranking All Generations Of BMW X5

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