If you happen to be waiting in the car, you can do the environmentally correct thing and turn off your engine without sacrificing comfort. BMW's automatic climate control system incorporates a "REST" feature that circulates air throughout the cabin while the engine is off, keeping you warm in winter and cool in the summer. If you turn off your engine while parked, you'll be reducing hydrocarbons that foul up the outside air. As for the air inside, a charcoal micro-filter should remove any allergy inducing pollens and harmful toxins caused by less environmentally conscious motorists.
While only reasonable off-road, the X5 performs gymnastics on pavement. Its agility is on par with only the most capable sport sedans. Statistics don't tell the entire story, but nonetheless they are extremely good. With lateral acceleration of .82g's and the ability to weave around the cones in a class leading 100.7 km/h (62.6 mph), you can take your sweet time on the gravel road and still get the best campsite. To put that slalom speed into perspective, the 540i Sport Wagon manages this feat at only 99.1 km/h (61.2 mph), while the 'best-in-its-class' M5 performs this task at 105.6 km/h (65.6 mph), just 4.8 km/h (3 mph) faster than the X5.
New for 2001, BMW's all-new 3-litre inline 6-cylinder engine is standard, reducing the X5's entry price point substantially. It is mated to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed Steptronic transmission. While this is a very capable engine, the 282-hp 4.4 liter V8 moves the hefty 2175 kg (4795 lb) 'ute' to 100 km/h in much quicker 7.5 seconds. But like I mentioned previously, mere statistics only tell part of the story. The X5 absolutely excels in driver feedback, a common character flaw among truck based SUVs. The traditional 4x4's harsh ride, vibrating steering wheel and numb handling are simply not factors in the X5 experience.