In-depth reviews

BMW X5 SUV (2014-2018): owner reviews

"The BMW X5 is an SUV that offers real driver involvement – but a host of rivals now match it in this respect"

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2j7 { display: none !important; }

by Richard Ingram

26 Feb 2018

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 26 Feb 2018

Carbuyer Rating

3.8 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.5 out of 5

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

73%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Other (1 case)
Electrics (2 cases)
Brakes (1 case)
Brakes, Electrics, Engine, Suspension, Other (1 case)
Gearbox / clutch (1 case)

Review 1 of 22

Tell us what you think about your car?

Brilliant car. This is the 3rd X5 I've owned moving from 30D to 40D to this. It's been utterly reliable but the tyres can be an issue. I'm now on my third set and now have a 4 wheel tracking session during the first tyre change and since then the tyre wear has been far more acceptable and the transformation is remarkable. I recommend you ditch the standard run flats for better ride & handling.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I use the car mainly for long journeys to France. It's very comfy on the motorway and powerful when required. The suspension feel quite hard on country roads, though.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very poor electrical reliability. Rear Air suspension failure

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent quality and engineering. I've only taken mine from 12 to 18k miles so far, but it's never missed a beat so far. I would buy again but i shall replace 18-inch fun flats with standard XL tyres to improve the ride, although it's acceptable I would prefer softer. I have already purchased a spare wheel from BMW. This is an exceptional car in my opinion. I am now a BMW X5 fan and with stay with the brand. It's very safe, secure and there's a refined feel to it. Highly recommended

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

A great car to drive, with ample power when required. Will do 40+mpg on a long run. A car that I always look forward to driving.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It's refined and practical, a good quality interior and comfortable. The rear seats are more comfortable than a comparative Range Rover Sport. Oodles of power, very competent handling. I particularly like the optional extras fitted i.e. the head-up display, adaptive suspension and panoramic roof.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Electrical issues. Warning lights indicating a problem, that isn't there. Blown air suspension

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Brilliant. Very comfortable and economical, very impressed with the 2.0 diesel setup. You would never know that your in a two tonne 4x4 with a small engine. The sport function works and the car has a split personality.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

An excellent improvement on the model it replaces despite having basically the same chassis. I chose this over a Cayenne for its looks, and a RR Sport for its comfort. I'm 6'6'' and quite large round the middle, horses for courses and all that, this ticked the boxes for me. This model wasn't cheap by any means with a few extras, but the mixture of performance and real life fuel economy is astonishing! 30mpg all day long with lead boots and 36mpg is 'realistic.' (I've seen 40mpg once.) Our 3rd X5 in the family and hopefully the reliability will continue. Hopefully the turbo issues will be sorted now as I hate to think how much 3 of them are in one go! Great car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems that have stopped the car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No reliability problems in three years

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Brilliant car - best combination of luxury, sporty drive and fuel efficiency in its class.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Minor problems only - parking sensors particularly, but dealers appear unable/unwilling to resolve

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

This is my second of the same model. I average 35 k a year and this one at 3 years will be going back at 120,000 miles. It’s never blinked. Oil tyres and service costs. Thats it. The ride is a bit harsh because of the big run-flat tyres and I’m sure if it was in less use the fuel economy would drop like a stone, but I live in mine and it’s never once let me down and neither did the last one. The only fault was a seat bolster cushion in my seat. It had a slight crack after me dragging myself in and out and Stratstone changed it under warranty without a question. If you need a reliable animal. This is it .

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Amazing performance for such a large vehicle. It's rather pricey when you apply a good level specification but well worth the investment. The handling is great considering the size, steering is a little vague for the purist at lower speeds but firms up above 50mph. Interior is still class leading with no rattles or squeaks to report. Sat Nav is the best on the market, especially when configured to BMW Connected drive.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent all rounder, comfort, safety, reliability and reasonable economy, 3 full sized kid seats across the rear.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great drive, comfortable, BIG and generally a nice car BUT... it's been at the BMW garage longer than it's been with me. The first problem cost £2,468, the next £130, then £1,110, then £3,145 and finally £2,600. This car has got to go - it's hilariously unreliable.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I expected body electronics to fail, but a couple of days ago my rear diff just shattered into pieces internally. Housing was good, no leaks or sounds, but it broke internally, no sign of failure, happened when I turned right from stop, was about to accelerate, chattering and griding sound in rear suspension. £3.5K of repairs. Nothing serious. ;)

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Continue reading

Recommended

Best large SUVs

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2my { display: none !important; }

Best cars

17 Jan 2024

Top 10 best large SUVs 2024

Top 10 best hybrid family cars

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2mz { display: none !important; }

Best cars

2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best hybrid family cars 2024

BMW X5 SUV

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2n0 { display: none !important; }

In-depth reviews

19 Oct 2023

BMW X5 SUV review

Most Popular

Engine warning light

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2n1 { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

17 Apr 2024

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light

Carbuyer best new car deals hero

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2n2 { display: none !important; }

Deals

19 Apr 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Mazda CX-80 front quarter

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2n3 { display: none !important; }

News

18 Apr 2024

Mega Mazda! All-new Mazda CX-80 is a flagship 7-seater SUV

Tips & advice

Car dashboard symbols and meanings

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2n4 { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Public EV charge point

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2n5 { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2n6 { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2n7 { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

Peugeot 208 hatchback

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2n8 { display: none !important; }

Best cars

25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

best electric cars

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2n9 { display: none !important; }

Best cars

28 Mar 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

The best cheap-to-run cars 2023

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2na { display: none !important; }

Best cars

2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

Fastest hot hatchbacks hero

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x16lv7uw2nb { display: none !important; }

Best cars

2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024