Complaints? The rear TV screen can interfere with the drivers elbow, and the busy ride can become tiresome on undulating pavement. Mileage is reasonably good during cruising, though the twin-turbo V8 burns fuel faster than a refinery fire if you can’t stay out of the sauce.
Bragging rights
Of course, the world doesn’t need a 555 horsepower SUV, but folks who want sport-ute bragging rights and have a hundred grand to burn sure do.
To most, the X5 M is little more than a shock and awe display of excessive German firepower. However, if you’re after a year-round ‘M’ car experience and want to own the world’s most powerful SUV, $97,900 is the price of admission.
At some $52,000 cheaper than a Cayenne Turbo S, it’s almost a steal if you’re after the most badass SUV on the road.
Post-script
Unfortunately, your writer got to test the strength of the X5 M’s windshield. My test-drive was cut short by some ice that became dislodged from the roof of an oncoming transport on the highway. Smaller ice chunks took out a side mirror, grille and part of the hood. A larger, torso sized chunk instantly destroyed the windshield-- directly in front of my face.
The wind-screen was damaged so badly that a fine glass powder wound up covering most of the cabin-- though it somehow stayed together despite an approximately 220 km/h combined impact speed.
Had the windshield not deflected the ice, I probably wouldn’t be around to tell this story.
photo:Justin Pritchard
Bragging rights
Of course, the world doesn’t need a 555 horsepower SUV, but folks who want sport-ute bragging rights and have a hundred grand to burn sure do.
To most, the X5 M is little more than a shock and awe display of excessive German firepower. However, if you’re after a year-round ‘M’ car experience and want to own the world’s most powerful SUV, $97,900 is the price of admission.
At some $52,000 cheaper than a Cayenne Turbo S, it’s almost a steal if you’re after the most badass SUV on the road.
 |
| The wind-screen stayed together despite an approximately 220 km/h combined impact speed. (photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
Post-script
Unfortunately, your writer got to test the strength of the X5 M’s windshield. My test-drive was cut short by some ice that became dislodged from the roof of an oncoming transport on the highway. Smaller ice chunks took out a side mirror, grille and part of the hood. A larger, torso sized chunk instantly destroyed the windshield-- directly in front of my face.
The wind-screen was damaged so badly that a fine glass powder wound up covering most of the cabin-- though it somehow stayed together despite an approximately 220 km/h combined impact speed.
Had the windshield not deflected the ice, I probably wouldn’t be around to tell this story.
photo:Justin Pritchard
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