Eric's Autos: Reviewing the 2015 BMW X5 M
Plus true dual exhaust ending in quad splitters out back, an M-specific gauge cluster with a 200 MPH speedo (you'll need it) and subtle tweaks to the bodywork such as functional front fender air vents to put some visual distance between it and run-of-the-mill X5s.
WHAT'S GOOD
911 acceleration - with foor doors and room for five. Costs $10-$13k less than not-as-quick Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Range Rover Sport SVR. Discreet like an Ashley Madison hook-up. No one needs to know.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD
Hasn't got the Cayenne's ability to turn heads. Not as potentially off-road-adroit as the Range Rover, which offers more ground clearance, 4WD Low range gearing and a higher tow rating (6,600 vs. 6,000 pounds.) Tighter back seats (and less cargo capacity) than the Benz ML63 AMG. Frequent stops for fill -'em ups.
UNDER THE HOOD
There may indeed be a replacement for displacement. Despite having the smallest V8 of the bunch - 4.4 liters vs. the ML63 AMG's hunky 5.5 liter, the Range Rover' SVR's 5.0 and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo's 4.8 - the X5 M's is the strongest: 567 hp (and 553 ft.-lbs. of torque) vs. a somewhat puny 518 (and 516 ft.-lbs.) for the Mercedes, the RR's 550 (and 502 ft.-lbs.) and 520 (and 553 ft.-lbs.) for the turbo Porsche.
The BMW is - not surprisingly - the quickest, too. Zero to 60 in four seconds flat - vs. the second-place Cayenne (4.2 seconds), third place Range Rover (4.4 seconds) and - way back there in fourth - the almost slow-pokey 4.8 second to 60 Mercedes ML63 AMG.
Benz does offer a little blue pill in the form of an optional $6,550 AMG Performance Package (on top of all the AMG stuff you already bought) that tightens up the race, increasing the 5.5 V8's output to 550 hp and 560 ft.-lbs. of torque - but even with the additional AMG Viagra, the Benz's acceleration (4.5 seconds to 60) still doesn't quite match the BMW's.
It must be reiterated that the X5 delivers these goods for many thousands of dollars less than all three of its rivals. BMW is not usually the, uh, "value" choice. But in this case, you get really do get more for less.
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