The 2014 BMW X5 xDrive50i is a rare blend of luxury that caters to your every whim and performance that will get your heart racing.
| STATS | Starting Retail Price | As Tested Price | HP / Lb-Ft |
| 2014 BMW X5 xDrive50i | $68,200 | $83,975 | 445/479 |
| EPA Rating MPG | As Tested MPG | ||
| Rating: BUY IT! | 14 / 22 Combined 17 | 17.9 Combined |
SUVs are traditionally the turf of those looking to haul their families along with all their stuff, off-road enthusiasts, and those who live in snowier climes who don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road all winter. It’s the “utility” part of the moniker that takes the forefront, but the 2014 BMW X5 xDrive50i makes performance an important part of the package.
There’s a 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 engine with 445 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission under the hood. That peak torque comes at RPMs in the low 2000s so despite being an SUV, it accelerates a lot like a sedan. Its electronically limited top speed is 130 MPH and it’ll do 0-60 MPH in just 4.9 seconds. Performance? The 2014 BMW X5 xDrive50i has it in spades.
The 8-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly with paddle shifters that allow plenty of flexibility to control exactly when shifts occur. You won’t be forced to shift before you’re ready as it will let you rev that engine on the high side. BMW’s Driver Dynamics Control offers even greater customization and control of the drive experience.
There are four settings of EcoPro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ with the EcoPro improving fuel economy but seriously curtailing the performance feel of the vehicle. Comfort brings it all back, and Sport brings it back and then some with an immediately noticeable change in the electric power steering with a tighter feel to the wheel. Sport+ removes traction control, if you’re of a mind to do that sort of thing.
Already a stable, sure-footed drive with standard Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Brake Control, and Dynamic Traction Control, the addition of the Dynamic Handling Package ups the ante even further. This will give you Dynamic Performance Control with ARS and Dynamic Damper + which adds on self-levelling rear air springs. All this makes it handle corners confidently without body roll or sway.
The performance of the 2014 BMW X5 XDrive50i comes with a high level of luxury and convenience for passengers. 20-way adjustable heated front seats are standard and will offer the perfect riding position for every passenger and include adjustable bolstering for more aggressive driving situations. Rear passengers get a bench seat with a wide center armrest and ample room for three adults.
The dash has a decidedly cockpit-like feel, wrapping around the front passengers and into the door trim. It is uncluttered, clean, and efficient in its presentation. A large 10.2″ screen sits center stage with control via a touchpad controller in the center console and it’s large and easy to use.
There are plenty of standard infotainment features like enhanced USB and Bluetooth with Smartphone integration, navigation with voice command and real-time traffic, BMW Online and BMW Apps, BMW TeleServices, BMW Assist eCall and a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System.
The 2014 BMW X5 xDrive50i also has ample storage with a wide, deep center console that splits down the middle for easy access. Additional bins located on the center console offer storage options for the keyfob that’s really far too big to comfortably fit in a pants pocket.
There’s 23 cubic feet of space behind the second row or you can flatten out the second row and make it 66 cubic feet. The power tailgate features a split with the smaller lower section folding out flat like a pickup’s tailgate making it easier to load.
The influence of other vehicles in the BMW line are visible in the exterior lines of the 2014 BMW X5 XDrive50i. There’s a little bit of X3 in the sides and a little bit of sedan from the front, and it all blends into a striking look for the SUV. The signature kidney-shaped grille is particularly bold and almost menacing in its positioning.
Fuel efficiency has improved a bit this year thanks to an efficient engine and transmission with start/stop and a decrease in the vehicle’s weight. EPA ratings give it 14 city/22 highway for a combined 17 with our test period averaging at 17.9 miles per gallon. This positions it on par with comparable SUVs like the Land Rover Ranger Rover and ahead of the Cadillac Escalade.
On the TFLcar scale of:
- Buy it!
- Lease it!
- Rent it!
- … or Forget it!
I give the 2014 BMW X5 xDrive50i a Buy It!
Check out this everything you ever wanted to know video on the 2014 BMW X5…
Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. Nicole also writes for NerdApproved and GeekMom.
