Car and Driver Comparison of X5, Q7 and XC90

[Alan l.]

I can't tell how this X5 has a 68K price tag. I can't spot any options besides it has the extended digital cluster. C&D brought the wrong X5 to this battle (or bmw sent them the wrong car)

Want to compete with the other cars you need imo:

Msport with 20" 469
DHP or Adaptive M
Nappa Design Package

[midlifecrisis]

Let's face it, run-flat tires and electric power steering haven't helped BMW's reputation for great driving dynamics. I have a 2014 X5d, and the thing that would make me buy another one is the wonderful diesel powertrain. In years past, it would have been the handling and "connected to the road" steering feel. Today, not so much.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I can't tell how this X5 has a 68K price tag. I can't spot any options besides it has the extended digital cluster. C&D brought the wrong X5 to this battle (or bmw sent them the wrong car)

I played with the X5 option list and came up with a plausible package of options that equals the $68,270 price.

Base Price $57,000
Luxury line $1,100
Optional paint $550
Cold weather $550
Driver Assistance $1400
Driver Assistance Plus $1700
Premium Package $2,550
Aluminum Running Boards $400
Ceramic Controls $650
Parking Assistant $500
HK Sound System $875
Destination $995

So this is one way to add $10,000+ in options without improving the performance or handling.

[bluenote98]

Originally Posted by MichiganMike

I played with the X5 option list and came up with a plausible package of options that equals the $68,270 price.

Base Price $57,000
Luxury line $1,100
Optional paint $550
Cold weather $550
Driver Assistance $1400
Driver Assistance Plus $1700
Premium Package $2,550
Aluminum Running Boards $400
Ceramic Controls $650
Parking Assistant $500
HK Sound System $875
Destination $995

So this is one way to add $10,000+ in options without improving the performance or handling.

Article said that all cars were equipped with active cruise. But if you look at the car in the photos the sensor in the front bumper isn't there. Also the car in the picture was a 2015 model which has a different starting price. I forget what the 2015 base price was.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by bluenote98

Article said that all cars were equipped with active cruise.

Good point on the active cruise control. The article also states each vehicle had a third row seat, which means the rear suspension has an air spring. I also realized that the base price for the X5 in the C&D article is for a 2016 BMW but was the price before the recent $800 increase effective 1/1/2016. So the current price of the same X5 would be $69,070.

Here is a new list of options that fit the current $69,070 price as tested:

Base Price with destination $57,995
Luxury line $1,100
Optional paint $550
Driver Assistance $1400
Driver Assistance Plus $1700
Active Cruise $1200
Premium Package $2,550
3rd Row Seat plus air rear suspension $1700
HK Sound System $875

Once again, this X5 was not configured to optimize handling as others have noted despite more than $10k in options.

[knepsterd]

Link for article scan Got it off audiworld thread

https://anishm.smugmug.com/Cars/Audi...wPXh/i-pPSFfm5

[roadkillrob]

What I find odd is at the start of the article they claim they ordered them to be the sam with respect to safety equipment and then loaded on all the safety stuff, but then when you get to the volvo and audi they added the optional suspension packages that they didn't add to the BMW, doesnt seem to have anything to do with the price as they didn't try to keep the prices the same, so either they ordered them to give the Volvo and Audi an advantage or BMW shipped them a non competitive version. The engine in the Volvo should relegate it to last place alone, it is ligher than all others and claims it has more hp and basically equal torque to the BMW but is obviously quite over rated based on performance or it has a really bad power curve and or transmission combo, but I guess soccer moms won't care.

[Longun 2]

I have driven all 4 of those vehicles over the last 6 months in choosing my next company car (currently running a 3.0d X5). They all have differing plusses and minuses. I chose the BMW X5 4.0D M sport (UK market). It had the best engine by a country mile. Chassis was good matched by the Q7 chassis. Interior space was good matched by the Q7 and beaten by the XC90. Interior Quality was good, matched by the Audi beaten by the RR but far better than the cheaper looking Volvo. Looks are good, on par with the RR sport and XC90 better than the ugly Q7. Price for me swayed it as in the UK I was able to land a cracking deal for the Beemer. RR sport was far too expensive and lacked interior space. Q7 was bloody good but ugly. XC90 was let down by engine/gearbox/chassis.

But you wouyd not go far wrong with any of the 4. Not a bad choice to be pondering!

[DeltaFX1942]

I just picked up a 2016 xDrive35i with base suspension and 19" wheels. Honestly, it drives about the same as the 2012 F30 328i Sportline that I had. In fact, I think the steering might be better than the 2012 F30 (I had one of the initial batches). The vehicle exudes a "BMWness" that I've greatly enjoyed over the past few years. Taking some sweeping turns on the highway tonight and I thought the vehicle overall exhibited pretty limited body roll. I can only imagine how much better DHP and Adaptive M would be, since I think the base is already pretty damn good. I approach this vehicle knowing it's not a sports car, so maybe I just have the proper expectations. It's definitely one of the best SUVs I've ever driven (currently also own an Audi Q5, have owned a Lexus RX350 and Infiniti QX4 in the past).

[bluenote98]

Originally Posted by MichiganMike

Good point on the active cruise control. The article also states each vehicle had a third row seat, which means the rear suspension has an air spring. I also realized that the base price for the X5 in the C&D article is for a 2016 BMW but was the price before the recent $800 increase effective 1/1/2016. So the current price of the same X5 would be $69,070.

Here is a new list of options that fit the current $69,070 price as tested:

Base Price with destination $57,995
Luxury line $1,100
Optional paint $550
Driver Assistance $1400
Driver Assistance Plus $1700
Active Cruise $1200
Premium Package $2,550
3rd Row Seat plus air rear suspension $1700
HK Sound System $875

Once again, this X5 was not configured to optimize handling as others have noted despite more than $10k in options.

Before I ordered my car I was sitting on this exact build for about 2 months. I then decided to go with DHP bringing it to 73070. DHP is only 4K on 3rd Row cars because 3rd row includes the air suspension component of DHP. This is funny because if you order X-Line and delete the running boards you don't get the $400 credited. So I digress. The car shown in the photos was a 2015 model and it appears to have DA+ but in the photos I am fairly confident that I don't see the radar sensor cutout under the front bumper for ACC. From what I understand it is common to use different cars for photoshoots then the ones they actually test with. The whole thing really bugs me that the Audi came in at 72K including the $4K air suspension package. And the RRS at 80K+. It just doesn't make sense.

[42pilot]

Ignorance is bliss. I drive my car without any thought if the SUV sitting next to me is rated better than mine, especially by a glossy magazine. Besides, owning these things is not a competition - someone will always own something better. Anyway, I was driving home tonight and was thinking how nice and quiet it was, and it has a great ride with the standard suspension - not to mention 32 mpg. I figure at $64K +tax, I got a good deal and I'm happy with that. By the way, our beloved BMWs have some of the steepest depreciation out there for its class - 16% average per year over 5 year ownership. That's what pisses me off.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by bluenote98

The car shown in the photos was a 2015 model and it appears to have DA+ but in the photos I am fairly confident that I don't see the radar sensor cutout under the front bumper for ACC. From what I understand it is common to use different cars for photoshoots then the ones they actually test with.

In the review of the Ford Focus RS test driven in Belgium from the same issue, C&D acknowledges that the landscape in the photos of the car accompanying the article do not look like Belgium because the photo shoot was in California. As noted by bluenote98, the photos for a C&D article may be taken at different times and locations and with substitute vehicles standing-in for the one tested. The switch is often not disclosed. Scrutinizing C&D photos for information on the tested car may be as misleading as attributing the moves of the stunt double in a movie to the actor replaced by the double.

[DeltaFX1942]

Originally Posted by 42pilot

Ignorance is bliss. I drive my car without any thought if the SUV sitting next to me is rated better than mine, especially by a glossy magazine. Besides, owning these things is not a competition - someone will always one something better.

I agree with you 100%. There's always something better than what we have, just need to be happy with what you have in front of you. I never drove an X5 with Adaptive M or DHP, so no, I'm not missing out and I don't really care. The vehicle is great for what it is. Also, at an MSRP of $56-75 base, we are spoiled to keep complaining. Most people in this world can't afford cars like these. Again, it's about appreciating what we have.

[sapper5]

Audi makes good cars but their Q5 and Q7 look hideous...like the Infiniti crossover raped a minivan or something; if you're only concerned about the emblem on the front and not the rest of the design, sure, the Audi is fine.

I test drove the new XC90 before purchasing my 50i Msport; impressed with the comfort, overall interior design, and it actually felt quite big--larger than the past XC90s, and actually larger than my X5, but I was leaning towards the T8 -- which is a hybrid and though has more than adequate torque and HP, is still a 4cylinder, and sounded like, well, a hybrid.

the 50i has more than ample (and bone rattling) power, and I've never been as excited on a daily basis as I am to get behind the wheel of this monster...there is nothing more exhilarating than authoritatively hurling a 2.5 ton tank down the road with complete control. I can say with confidence I would not feel the same about the Volvo or Audi.

Also, while the touch screen in the XC90 is "cool", it's not optimal for people residing in the midlands where winter temperatures hover around 0. Their screen is new, can be used with gloves, and allegedly handles fine in cold temps, but you still have to reach up and toggle through screens to do simple tasks. The iDrive infotainment (and the position of it's control) is, IMO, easier to use while driving. The new XC90 is the first run on their new chassis & design; better to wait a few years til all the kinks are worked out and other models tested.