Test Drive: 2019 BMW X5
Off-roading through Georgia in the new mid-size SUV
Somewhere on a farm 30 miles southwest of Atlanta, the all-new 2019 BMW X5 falls into a rhythm—skirting around trees, up dirt hills and across bubbling streams. This is the fourth-generation of BMW’s beloved mid-size SUV, but it’s the first to come with an off-road package that enables it to tackle an hour-long off-road course with ease. The car’s quartet of drive modes (for rock, sand, gravel or snow) tailor the vehicle’s height, acceleration, braking and transmission control to the terrain. All the while, the latest version of their iDrive infotainment system keeps us more informed and in control than previous versions.
The SUV’s cabin inspires as much confidence as its undercarriage—boasting a pair of 12.3-inch digital display screens, heating and cooling cupholders and BMW’s latest iDrive Operating System 7.0, which allows the driver to operate controls using buttons, a controller wheel, a touchscreen, voice or gestures. The BMW Connected personal mobility assistant syncs the car with your digital devices. It remembers frequent destinations (like the office or gym) that you wouldn’t necessarily put in your calendar and tells you when to leave, acting as a constantly calculated navigation system. Additionally, a digital key function locks and unlocks the SUV via an NFC-compatible smartphone.
The 2019 BMW X5 will arrive in showrooms this November. While pricing hasn’t been announced, it’s likely to be comparable with the outgoing model, which starts at $60,700.
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