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![BMW updates its X5, bringing better focus on comfort and capability to their prized sport utility whip. By <a href="http://sharpformen.com/author/bradley-horn/">Bradley Horn</a><div id='nr_fo_top_of_post'></div><p>Back when all of us where partying like its was 1999, because, well, it was, BMW was launching its first X5 sport utility vehicle. Well, that’s not entirely true. You see, to ward off criticism for building a “truck,” Munich actually launched its first ‘Sport Activity Vehicle, promising a high-riding five-seater that would maintain the driving creds of the rest of the brand. Eleven years and two generations later, nearly one million X5s have been turned out of BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina factory. Das ist gut, no?</p>
<p>We recently spent a sun-soaked weekend in Miami, Florida getting familiar with the latest X5, which gets a significant refresh for 2011. Between mojitos and far too long night in South Beach, we grabbed enough wheel time to discover this Bimmer’s strong suit: confident road manners, luxury accoutrements and the latest tech.</p>
<p>You’re forgiven if you can’t immediately recognize this X5 as the redone 2011 model. Aside from a slight nose job, LED taillamps and more painted body parts, the exterior is basically unchanged from the previous model. Under the skin is where most of the changes have taken place. BMW says there are 4,000 new parts. We surmise that the majority of those refinements address criticism that the SAV lost some of its savvy and became a bit ponderous when gen-two arrived in ’06.</p>
<p>While the X5′s turbodiesel and high-performance M models are largely unchanged for 2011, the standard $59,990 xDrive35i adopts a new 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, which actually drops to a single turbocharger. Still, helped along by BMW’s Valvetronic valve timing technology and direct fuel injection, it makes 15 percent more horsepower (300), 33 percent more torque (300 lb-ft) and runs 0-100 km/h on par with the outgoing V8 model, despite improving fuel economy 18 percent.</p>
<p>A step up is the $74,300 X5 xDrive50i, now using the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine introduced in the BMW X6 in the spring of 2008. Output’s an impressive 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque here, meaning even at 5,000 lb.-plus, this Bimmer will still sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.</p>
<p>Both models wear standard xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive and gain two gears by adapting the 7 Series sedan’s eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter means improved acceleration and more relaxed and efficient highway cruising. The gearbox has three driving modes: Drive, Drive Sport and Manual.</p>
<p>Our sprint from Miami’s Brickell Key to the Everglades and down towards the famous Florida Keys showed off the X5’s forte. Sporty handling? Err, no. A quiet, luxurious cabin, a commanding seating position, silky drivability and usable technology? In spades. We even did some mild off-roading and water-fording in the gator infested ’Glades with zero issues.</p>
<p>Standout new standard gear on the X5 includes Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go and a Lane Departure Warning system. The options list is extensive: Active Steering, Head-Up Display, four-zone automatic climate control, rear seat entertainment, side- and rear-view cameras with top-view, just to name a few.</p>
<p>I’ve often said the best luxury cars to evaluate are those we drive all day, only to realize over evening cocktails that you spent more time debating world politics with your passengers than griping about some aspect of the vehicles. Such is the case with the reworked 2011 X5. Now hand me the keys and let’s talk foreign affairs.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bmw.ca/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.bmw.ca']);">bmw.ca</a></p>
<div id='nr_fo_bot_of_post'></div> Dotting i’s, Crossing t’s](http://sharpformen.com/wp-content/gallery/bmw-x5/x5-1.jpg)