Overall rating:

The new BMW X5 we already know to be brilliant, and this V8 petrol version is also brilliant, but the combination of the two is only brilliant if you live outside of Ireland/the UK.

Key Facts

Model tested: BMW X5 xDrive50i SE
Pricing: £60,020
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Body style: five-door luxury SUV
Rivals: Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, Range Rover Sport
CO₂ emissions: 242g/km
Combined economy: 27.1mpg
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 5.0 seconds
Power: 450hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 650Nm at 2,000- to 4,500rpm

In the Metal:

We've already mentioned (when testing the 3.0d model) that the new X5 is much better looking than the last generation model, but it bears repeating here. At the front, especially, this looks like an astonishingly sleek and purposeful car for what is, let's not forget, a massive 4x4. It's not just German rigour either, as there's some surprising playfulness. Look at the shape made by the front air dam as it sweeps up and the line under the headlights and grille as it sweeps down; squint a bit and you can see the outline of a broad, flat X.

Inside though is where the X5 impresses most and it proves that neither the much praised pair of Audi nor Range Rover has the field entirely to themselves in terms of cabin design. Indeed, the BMW's clear and attractive main dials and gorgeous (optional) 10.2-inch infotainment screen really show the new Range Rover Sport the way home, while it makes the cabin of the Audi Q7 seem simply old. Needless to say, that effect was amplified by our test car being loaded up with a pirate's treasure trove of extras, including surround camera views, active cruise control, collision avoidance and more, but it's the underlying shapes and underpinning quality (and under-bum comfort) that really hammer home the X5's advantage, extras or no extras.

Driving it:

Could we just say that it's brilliant, and leave it at that? No? You want more? OK then. The X5 is little short of sublime on the road and it strikes an amazing balance between long-range comfort and apex-sniffing accuracy. The Driving Select Control allows you to choose between Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes and while it might be faintly ridiculous to have an Eco Pro mode on a 450hp V8 engine, it's worth pointing out that the CO₂ emissions of this model are only slightly worse than those for the 3.0-litre diesel were a decade ago. And that's with a 0-62mph time of just 5.0 seconds - or what a good sports saloon might manage.

That's impressive enough, but more impressive still is the sheer wonder of, these days, driving a car with a powerful, smooth-spinning engine such as this. The head says wait for the frugal, affordable 2.0-litre four-cylinder sDrive25d model, but the heart says grab the keys for the one with the crackling, snarling V8 and head for the horizon. This is a magnificent engine, one that mixes silent refinement with Porsche 911 Turbo thrust and a gorgeous, philharmonic sound as the revs rise. It's also slightly better to drive than the diesel model. It has the same annoying dead spot in the steering, but the higher overall weight seems to help plug the nose into corners a little better. That may also be attributed to the optional 20-inch wheels our test car was wearing, but they do come with a slight, but noticeable, penalty in terms of ride comfort. It's more a sense of being more fidgety than an outright descent into harshness, but it's undeniable that the new X5 rides best (and it rides brilliantly at its best) on the standard 19-inch rims.

What you get for your Money:

OK, this is where the xDrive50i model sadly loses its way. Yes, it's an utterly brilliant engine and perhaps 27mpg isn't actually that bad for a car this big with a massive petrol engine. The trouble is you're never going to get 27mpg. A figure of 18mpg is more like it, and that's with fast, enthusiastic driving tempered by long periods of cruising nice and legally at the speed limit. If you live in the UK then the price of unleaded and the need to keep stopping to fill up the 85-litre tank (that's £116 for a fill from dry) just make it untenable. If you own an oilfield in Texas or your first name is Sheikh, then this is a wonderful car and you should definitely buy it. If not, then get the M50d triple-turbo 381hp diesel. Or, actually, just get the standard 258hp 3.0-litre diesel - that car is plenty quick enough for most mortals.

Worth Noting

Later this year, BMW is going to offer the X5 with a new Traffic Jam Assistant. It's an add-on to the existing optional collision avoidance system, and it will be available from December. Basically, it uses the cruise control and the front-mounted radar to 'hook up' to the car in front and, at speeds of 25mph will keep you rolling in heavy traffic without any input from you at all. Acceleration, brakes and steering will all be taken care of and seeing as the collision avoidance works at speeds of up to 40mph, you really won't be taken off-guard while using the system. You'll be listening to the radio traffic reports just to go and find a jam to try it out in...

Summary

This is, in a local context, a very silly car. Being too expensive and too thirsty is one thing (actually two things but anyway...), but the real downfall of the V8-engined BMW X5 is that the standard 3.0-litre diesel is just so brilliant and such a good all-round performer that the xDrive50i is superfluous. Yes, it can accelerate like a 747 at take-off thrust, and it sounds positively orchestral when doing so, but viewed with a cold, hard stare of common sense, it just doesn't add up. Still though. If we ever strike oil in our back garden...