2020 BMW X5 M Competition Review - Gear Patrol

What We Like

I’ll just come out and say it: the X5 M is easier to live with the M5. Sure, some people buy SUVs and trucks simply because of the self-esteem boost that comes with riding higher, but few of us make car buying decisions wholly based on emotion; SUVs and trucks, simply speaking, offer more capability and more usability than sedans, coupes and so forth.

Being taller means the X5 M can hop bigger obstacles — curbs, potholes, ditches, etc. — so while it’ll never likely go off-roading, it can still go plenty of places the M5 can’t. Sitting up higher gives you a better view of the road ahead (which lets you see further ahead, a key advantage in driving); it makes it easier to to load heavy objects in and out of the vehicle, as you don’t have to bend down so far; and it makes climbing in and out of the vehicle easier, especially for anyone past the age of maximum flexibility.

The X5 M has more room, too. The two-box body means there’s more room for cargo, especially if you don’t mind blocking your view. And the more upright stance and big moonroof mean the second row feels like a slightly better place to sit than the sedan, especially the M8 Gran Coupe Competition. Plus, outfitted with the top-shelf Ivory White /Night Blue Merino leather trim, the X5 M’s interior is an utterly gorgeous place to while away a few hours of driving time. BMW has solidly upped its cabin game in recent years, and the X5 shows that a Bimmer can be every bit as nice as a Mercedes-Benz or Audi.

Also, duh: it’s really freaking fast. Like, redefine-what-you-think-an-SUV-can-do fast in a straight line. Launch it from a stop, and you’ll be past 60 mph in what feels like a thought but actually works out to a claimed 3.7 seconds. (I’m guessing independent testing will do better.) Or hammer the throttle at a roll, and watch the speed rise and rise with unnatural fury even well past the legal limit of any road in America. It feels like being strapped to the front of a bullet train. It’s delightful.