Test Drive: 2011 BMW X5 xDrive35d

2011 BMW X5 xDrive35d Review and First Drive
By Jonathan Spira

The BMW X5, which first appeared in 1999 as a 2000 model, was completely redesigned for the 2007 model year. In 2009, BMW of North America introduced the diesel-powered X5 xDrive35d alongside the BMW 335d. In many respects, the X5 diesel competes against the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec ,the Audi Q7 TDI, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI although each has unique qualities. The four are the only diesel-powered SUVs available in the U.S. at the present time.

We last looked at the BMW X5 diesel at the beginning of 2010 and the car we liked then has gotten even better. In the first two quarters of 2011, 24.5% of BMW X5 drivers chose the diesel mode as opposed to the comparable petrol variant, down from 29% in the first half of 2010.
For 2011, the X5 got a new front bumper and air intakes, a new rear apron as well as numerous minor cosmetic changes.
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