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BMW X5
2008 BMW X5 mid-size luxury SUV.2008 BMW X5. - enlargeComplete 2008 BMW X5 SUV New Car Reviews listed below
The 2008 BMW X5 mid-size, luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) is designated a sports activity vehicle (SAV) by the manufacturer. When BMW first introduced the X5 they wanted to impress upon the automotive media that even though the vehicle was a truck, it would handle like a BMW sedan on the road and provide the same driving experience. To that end, BMW had the press drive the X5 SAV both on a racetrack and on an off-road course to demonstrate the SUV's wide-ranging capabilities. We were duly impressed and the vehicle is exceptionally capable off-road and in bad weather conditions, while also providing BMW's usual sporty ride and handling on the road.
2008 BMW X5 is available in 3.0si (MSRP $45,900) and 4.8i (MSRP $54,500) trim levels, and competes with the Audi Q7, Cadillac SRX, Infiniti FX35 and FX45, Acura RDX, Mazda CX-9, Lincoln MKX, Lexus GX, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg, Land Rover LR2 and Volvo XC90. The 3.0si comes with a 260-horsepower, 3.0-liter I6 engine, while the 4.8i comes with a 350-horsepower, 4.8-liter V8 engine. Both have an all-wheel drive system, six-speed Steptronic manual-shift automatic transmission system, and drive train features such as center-limited slip differential, descent control, and mechanical center differential. Suspension features include four-wheel independent suspension, double wishbone front suspension, self-leveling suspension, and multi-link rear suspension.
Both trim levels can be customized with a variety of accessories and packages. Basic features include a trip computer, external temperature display, low fuel-level warning indicator, tachometer, roof rack, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper, rear spoiler, rear-split liftgate door, leather upholstery, eight-way power driver and passenger seats, height-adjustable driver and passenger seats, and a reverse-tilt mirror.
Some convenience and comfort features include cruise control, speed-proportional power steering, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, audio controls on the steering wheel, front and rear cup holders, retained accessory power, dual zone climate controls for the driver and front passenger, interior active charcoal air filter, front reading lights, dual-illuminating vanity mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy trim on the shift knob, alloy and wood trims on the doors, dashboard, and center console, extended cabin heating, and memorized settings for three drivers (includes driver's seat, steering wheel, and exterior mirrors).
Entertainment features include AM/FM in-dash single CD player, 205 watts stereo output, CD-controller with CD MP3 Playback stereo, twelve total speakers, auxiliary MP3 audio input, radio data system, and two subwoofers.
Safety features include front and rear ventilated disc brakes, power-adjustable headrests, emergency braking assist, front fog/driving lights, stability control system, dusk-sensing headlamps, front and rear head airbags, dual front side-mounted airbags, xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps, front seatbelt pretensioners, engine immobilizer, two front and three rear headrests, remote anti-theft alarm system, rear center 3-point seat belt, daytime running lights, rear door child safety locks, adaptive headlights, passenger airbag occupant-sensing deactivation, tire pressure monitoring, cornering lights, traction control, and electronic brakeforce distribution.
A safety report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) showed that the BMW X5 received a good rating in frontal crash tests. [1] A reliability report from ConsumerReports.org for 2007 showed that the BMW X5 received excellent ratings for engine, transmission, drive and electrical system, suspension, brakes, exhaust, paint and trim, squeaks and rattles, very good ratings for fuel system and power equipment, good ratings for its climate system, and poor ratings for its audio system and body hardware. [2]
The BMW X5 was first sold in 1999 and is currently in its second generation. Its awards include Australia's Best Luxury Four-Wheel Drive for 2001 and 2002, and Top Gear's Best 4X4 of the Year in 2005.
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