BMW X5

Where else to begin than with the grille? While BMW’s bold new snouts have sparked debate, this one feels proportionate to the X5’s hulking body. The new C-shaped LED DRLs replace the classic Corona Rings but look sharp in their slim housings. M Sport versions get aggressive bumpers, staggered 21-inch wheels and new 3D tail-lamps with pulse indicators.
 

The dashboard changes are significant for a facelift. Gone is the hooded binnacle, replaced by BMW’s curved dual-screen layout — a 12.3-inch cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen. Central AC vents hide behind crystal-effect trim, but their controls are fiddly. Interior quality otherwise impresses, with open-pore wood, metallic trim and plush leather, though the tech-heavy cabin does clash with these traditional materials.

The 286hp, 650Nm straight-six diesel is a rare gem. It’s punchy, rev-happy and refined, making quick overtakes easy while remaining smooth in traffic. Eco Pro mode calms its responses, but Comfort and Sport are the sweet spots. The 8-speed automatic shifts brilliantly, adapting quickly to your driving style. The engine’s growl is more audible than you’d expect, though never coarse.
 

The diesel X5 xDrive30d returns 11.98kpl on the WLTP cycle, with an 80-litre tank offering over 900km of range. Surprisingly, the petrol xDrive40i delivers a slightly better 12.04kpl on the same test cycle. Both figures are respectable for a luxury SUV of this size, especially one that combines such strong performance with all-round usability.
 

For a big SUV, the X5’s handling is seriously impressive. In Sport mode, steering sharpens and body control tightens, making it feel agile and planted. The air suspension works hard to balance comfort and control, though the huge wheels make low-speed rides lumpy. It improves as speeds rise, where it feels composed and plush.
 

The already generous features list expands further. Seat ventilation, memory functions and a 360-degree camera are joined by the Drive Recorder, which can reverse the car down a saved route. M Sport variants add a heads-up display, air suspension, and a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system. Eight airbags, ESC, tyre pressure monitoring and a handful of active safety aids round things off.
 

Priced from Rs 97.8 lakh to Rs 1.13 crore, the X5 has grown costlier but improved significantly. It still strikes the perfect balance between driving pleasure and luxury, with added tech and refinement. For most buyers, it remains the most well-rounded and desirable SUV in BMW’s line-up today.