BMW X5 SUV - Interior & comfort

Existing X5 owners looking for an upgrade or anyone shopping in the luxury SUV class generally should find the new interior one of the new car’s biggest selling points. It's beautifully crafted and the 12.3-inch touchscreen serves up pin-sharp graphics, backed up by the intuitive iDrive interface that's good to use.

BMW X5 dashboard

Another 12.3-inch screen sits beneath the instrument binnacle, replacing BMW's traditional gauges, and working in conjunction with iDrive - although it's not quite as customisable as Audi's Virtual Cockpit setup.

Equipment

There are just two trims at launch, and even xLine models get standard leather upholstery, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and wireless phone charging. The front seats are heated too, there are automatic wipers and Apple CarPlay compatibility is now standard - although Android Auto is expected to arrive later in 2020.

The M Sport trim is expected to mop up the most UK sales, though, despite costing around £3,500 more. It adds 20-inch wheels, a sporty body kit and an interior makeover with an anthracite headliner, sports steering wheel and metal pedals.

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Buy a BMW X5 M and it's effectively its own trim level, with 21- or 22-inch alloy wheels and features including adaptive LED headlights, an M head-up display, M Sport exhaust and a Harman Kardon sound system.

Options

There are plenty of ways to boost the X5's spec, with new features like laser headlights that can shine up to 500 metres ahead of the car. There's even a Sky Lounge option for the panoramic sunroof that uses LED illumination to generate 15,000 patterns that mimic a starlit sky. Music lovers can choose a Bowers & Wilkins stereo system with 20 speakers and a 1,500-watt output, while 'thermo cup-holders' can help keep your drinks warm or cool.