2012 BMW X5 Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 BMW X5 review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 X5, and includes BMW X5 safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

This is BMW’s midsize luxury SUV – or SAV, as the company likes to call it (Sports Activity Vehicle). The 2012 X5 competes primarily against the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Infiniti FX, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Porsche Cayenne, and Volvo XC90.

Last year, the BMW X5 received new turbocharged six- and eight-cylinder engines, a new eight-speed automatic transmission, and subtle styling updates. This year, attention turns to the turbo-diesel X5 xDrive35d, which gets new BMW BluePerformance technology for reduced nitrogen oxide emissions. BluePerformance combines a diesel particulate filter with a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) and an AdBlue injection system to meet future diesel emissions standards.

Standard equipment levels are also improved for 2012. The X5 xDrive35i gains a power tailgate, Park Distance Control parking sensors, iPod/USB connectivity, and BMW Assist telematics with a four-year Safety Plan. Heated seats are now included on the xDrive35d, and the xDrive50i gets a standard navigation system. Order the M Sport Package, and the M Sport steering wheel now includes paddle shifters. There’s also a new 20-inch wheel design with this option package.

BMW’s model strategy for the 2012 X5 is a little bit difficult to understand. First, it’s helpful to explain BMW’s naming conventions. The “xDrive” reference pertains to the standard all-wheel-drive system. The “35i,” “35d,” and “50i” references pertain to the type of powertrain installed under the hood. For xDrive35i models, there are individual Premium and Sport Activity trims, but not for the xDrive35d or the xDrive50i. There’s also a hot-rodded BMW X5 M, which we’ll cover in a separate review.

Now that we’ve explained how the X5 lineup is structured, we can talk about standard equipment highlights. The least expensive 2012 X5 is the xDrive35i. This model is equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, and is reasonably well equipped with everything you might want on a luxury SUV except for leather and dark tinted privacy glass. Key features on this model include Bluetooth, dual-zone automatic climate control, leatherette upholstery, 10-way power front seats, driver memory settings, a power tailgate, and front and rear parking sensors. A decent stereo includes an auxiliary audio input jack, a CD/MP3 player, an iPod/USB connection, and HD Radio. Additionally, the X5 is equipped with push-button ignition, a power tailgate, dynamic cruise control, adaptive Xenon headlights with LED corona ring driving lights, rain-sensing wipers, and heated washer jets.

For leather and dark tinted rear privacy glass, you must buy the X5 xDrive35i Premium. This model is also equipped with a panoramic moonroof, heated front seats, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors, and larger 19-inch aluminum wheels. Ambient lighting and Dark Burl Walnut wood trim add warmth to the cabin.

For a sportier drive and appearance, try the X5 xDrive35i Sport Activity. It benefits from 10-way power front sport seats, 20-inch wheels and tires, and an increased top speed. Shadowline exterior trim further separates it from the xDrive35i Premium.

The other two kinds of X5 – the turbo-diesel xDrive35d and the twin-turbo V8-powered xDrive50i – are essentially equipped identically to the xDrive35i Premium model except they come standard with 18- rather than 19-inch wheels, and the xDrive50i includes a standard navigation system.

Many of the X5’s options are grouped into packages, few of which can be added to the standard xDrive35i. A Premium Package for this model supplies a navigation system and rear side window sunshades, while a Convenience Package builds upon it with a panoramic sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors, ambient cabin lighting, and genuine wood interior trim.

Any other BMW X5 is offered with a greater wealth of options. For example, the Convenience Package contains navigation, rear side window sunshades, Comfort Access keyless entry and ignition, four-zone automatic climate control, a universal programmable transmitter, and a rearview camera with a Top View display. Additional packages include the self-explanatory Premium Sound Package, the Cold Weather Package (heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, headlight washers, ski bag), and the Active Ventilated Seat Package (20-way Multi-Contour power front seats with ventilation and perforated leather). A Sport Activity Package is optional on the xDrive35d and xDrive50i (19-inch alloy wheels, 10-way power front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, Shadowline exterior trim) and a Technology Package (Head Up Display, side view cameras, automatic high-beam headlights) can be added exclusively to the xDrive50i model.

For maximum performance, BMW offers the M Sport Package on the xDrive35i Sport Activity, the xDrive35d, and the xDrive50i. The one for the xDrive35i is most robust, equipped with 20-inch Double Spoke aluminum wheels, a sport suspension, an M Sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, 20-way Multi-Contour power front seats, aluminum roof rails, and M-style body modifications. On the xDrive35d, the M Sport Package contains the contents of the Sport Activity Package plus the 20-way Multi-Contour front seats. Add the M Sport Package to the xDrive50i, and you’ll get unique 19-inch wheels, an increased top speed, a self-leveling air suspension, the Multi-Contour front seats, the M Sport steering wheel, aluminum roof rails, M styling upgrades, and Shadowline exterior trim.

In addition to these features, BMW provides a long menu of stand-alone upgrades. Many of the items offered in the packages above are available in a la carte fashion, plus metallic paint, a third-row seat, Nappa leather upholstery with an extended leather cabin treatment, power soft-close doors, and a variety of wood and aluminum interior trim panels. The X5 is also available with Adaptive Drive with Active Roll Stabilization and Dynamic Damping Control, a rear seat entertainment system, BMW Apps with Smartphone integration, Active Cruise Control, and a Lane Departure Warning system.

Loaded with everything, a BMW X5 can run $90,000. Wow.

The X5’s model designations refer to the engine that’s installed under the hood. In the X5 xDrive35i, that means a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine making 300 horsepower between 5,800 and 6,250 rpm and 300 pound-feet of torque between 1,300 and 5,000 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode and Steptronic manual shifting sends the power primarily to the rear wheels. Running on premium fuel, the xDrive35i is rated to get 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

For better fuel economy combined with 425 lb-ft of pure thrust from 1,750 to 2,250 rpm, try the X5 xDrive35d. This model is equipped with a turbo-diesel 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and in addition to that healthy wallop of torque it makes 265 horsepower at 4,200 rpm. The Steptronic six-speed automatic features a Sport mode, and BMW says this engine gets 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Not only that, it’s upgraded for 2012 with BluePerformance technology designed to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from the system.

The X5 xDrive50i is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 400 horsepower. It shares the xDrive35i’s eight-speed automatic transmission, requires premium fuel, and gets 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

The 2012 BMW X5 comes standard with six airbags, traction control, stability control, start-off assistant, and hill descent control, but what’s amazing is the braking system. There are four vented brake discs with this antilock system, which also includes electronic brake-force distribution, dynamic brake control, brake fade compensation, brake drying, brake stand-by, and adaptive brake lights that glow brighter the harder you’re standing on the brake pedal.

The X5 also comes standard with BMW Assist telematics that includes a four-year Safety Plan with Automatic Crash Notification. With Automatic Crash Notification, a live operator tries to get in touch with the X5’s occupants when the airbags deploy. Even if nobody can respond, emergency personnel can be sent to the X5’s location to speed assistance after a crash.

How the X5 protects in a collision is a bit of a mystery. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides only a 4 Star rollover resistance rating for the X5. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provides additional insight, giving the X5 the best rating of Good for frontal-, side-, and rear-impact injury protection.

The reliability picture is not pretty. Consumer Reports thinks the X5 will provide much worse than average dependability over time. J.D. Power and Associates is more optimistic, giving the X5 an average rating in this regard.

If you lease the X5, maybe you won’t care about the reliability issue, especially since the BMW Ultimate Service program provides free scheduled service during the four-year/50,000-mile warranty period.

The xDrive35i and xDrive50i models have a Brake Energy Regeneration system that captures kinetic energy generated during braking and uses it to recharge the X5’s battery.

Fold the BMW X5’s rear seats down and there’s 72.5 cubic-feet of cargo space with which to work.

BMWs are about performance, so despite the fact that the xDrive35i weighs just under 5,000 pounds, it accelerates to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. Get the 5,379-lb. X5 xDrive50i, and 60 mph comes up in 5.3 seconds.

If you think you’ll need to trade acceleration for fuel economy when buying the turbo-diesel xDrive35d, think again. Thanks to its 425 lb-ft of torque, the X5 xDrive35d accelerates to 60 mph in less than seven seconds. Better yet, thanks to the heavy engine, the xDrive35d features a 49/51 front-to-rear weight distribution, the best of any X5.

If there’s a reason for concern here, it pertains to dependability. The X5’s reliability track record is mediocre, though last year’s new turbocharged engines may help in this regard. Otherwise, this is an impressive package. Lease it, enjoy the free maintenance, and give it back before the warranty expires.

-- By Christian Wardlaw