Category: Sporting 4x4s 
Price Range: £40,820 to £54,155
Class-leading blend of performance and economy, excellent ride quality, refinement.
Quite expensive, optional third-row seats for children only, less fun to drive than the original.
A thoughtful and effective replacement, but some of the charm has gone.
If BMW had the same problems maintaining quality in its US plant as Mercedes once had at theirs (which produces the rival ML), they did a much better job of hiding it. Fact is, X5s have a good and deserved reputation for quality and there's no reason to suspect the new model won't at least match if not exceed these standards.
The cars we've driven have felt extremely sturdy, and the engines are all evolutions of tried and trusted units, so there's no cause for concern on that front.
