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Vehicle Highlights

2013 BMW X5: What Is It?

BMW calls X5 a “Sports Activity Vehicle.” It’s a crossover that seats up to 7 and is designed to capture the brand’s spirit of driving engagement but with way more practicality.

The company offers X5 with a variety of drivetrains, including a turbodiesel and ultra-high-performance model tuned by BMW’s Motorsports arm. This SUV is built in the USA and competes against the Infiniti FX, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Porsche Cayenne.

2013 BMW X5: What’s New

Nothing doing on the gasoline front. Information about any updates to the diesel version was unavailable at time of writing. We initially suspected this model might not return for 2013, but BMW has assured us that the diesel will remain a part of the lineup.

2013 BMW X5: Model Lineup, Features, and Options

X5′s roster ascends through the gas xDrive35i, diesel xDrive35d, gas V8 xDrive50i, and performance X5 M.

The 35i is split among Base, Premium, and Sport Activity trims. Standard equipment includes hill-descent control, dual-zone automatic climate control, BMW Assist and concierge service, power seats, driver-seat memory, rain-sensing wipers, and a power liftgate. The Base X5 has vinyl upholstery. Leather and heated front seats are standard otherwise.

The diesel xDrive35d should add leather upholstery, heated front seats, wood interior trim, and a power sunroof to the 35i Base.

The 35i Premium basically has the same stuff as the 35d. The Sport Activity includes the same equipment as the Premium and also adds an increased top-speed limiter, specific trim, and 20-inch wheels.

The xDrive50i includes a more-powerful drivetrain and a navigation system, which is optional on the 35i and 35d.

The X5 M includes sport seats, aluminum interior trim, BMW’s Active Roll Stabilization (designed to counteract body lean in fast turns), and a load-leveling suspension.

Many options come in packages. See our price list for full feature availability. One of the standouts is the M Sport Package for the 35i Sport Activity and 50i. It includes specific trim, the M5′s Active Roll Stabilization, and unique wheels.

There are some standalone options. They include an Infiniti-style sideview monitor and rear DVD player.

2013 BMW X5: Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Wheels

Gasoline engines include a 300-horsepower turbocharged inline 6-cylinder (xDrive35i); 400-horsepower turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 (xDrive50i); and 555-horsepower turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 (X5 M).

The diesel motor is a 265-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder, which we don’t expect to be any different for 2013.

Transmission availability includes a 6-speed automatic (xDrive35d, M) or 8-speed automatic (xDrive35i, xDrive50i).

All-wheel drive is standard across the board, and the X5 can tow up to 6,000 pounds.

2013 BMW X5: Fuel Economy

EPA estimated fuel economy for the 2013 X5 is unchanged from 2012. The 35i scores 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway; the 50i 14/20; and the M 12/17. The xDrive35d earned a 19 city/26 highway rating for 2012, a figure we don’t expect to be any different for 2013.

The 35i, 50i, and M require premium-grade gasoline. The turbodiesel uses exhaust-treatment fluid that requires periodic dealer maintenance.

2013 BMW X5: Safety Features

The 2013 BMW X5 has all the safety features you’d expect. Lane-departure warning is optional on the xDrive35i Sport Activity and xDrive50i.

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