BMW has added a new trim to its recently-launched X5 SUV line-up. This new trim, called the BMW X5 Expedition is substantially cheaper but loses out on quite a bit of equipment as compared to the more expensive Design Pure Experience variant.
The BMW X5 Expedition gets bi-xenon headlamps instead of adaptive LED units; there are no LED fog lamps. The gearbox is a standard Steptronic 8-speed unit instead of the Steptronic Sport version used in the more expensive X5. The music system is a 9-speaker unit instead of the 16-speaker Harman Kardon system. Additionally, other BMW Apps, the navigation system and hard drive function have been left out. Instead, there's a 16.5-cm display without the DVD drive and handwriting recognition.
On the outside too, the BMW X5 Expedition is considerably different when compared to the higher variant. It does not get titanium moulding on the bumpers; tailpipe finished in matt silver. The kidney grille loses out on titanium finish too.
One of the major differences between the BMW X5 Expedition and the BMW X5 Design Pure Experience is that the former doesn't get third-row seats, thus limiting the seating capacity to five. However, this cannot be seen as a hiccup. We'd earlier said in our road test that utility of the third row is strictly limited to children; seats are half-size and entry and exit is uncomfortable even after sliding the second row seats forward. Hence, this SUV is best used as a five-seater, which is exactly what this Expedition variant offers.
The BMW X5 Expedition is priced at Rs 64.9 lakh (ex-showroom, all India), which is Rs 6 lakh cheaper than the Rs 70.9 lakh Design Pure Experience.