Luxurious SUV offers great gas mileage

Don't let the two-ton weight and generous length of the BMW X5 fool you.

BMW's largest, most luxurious sport utility vehicle now rivals the 2009 Toyota RAV4 in fuel economy ratings.

Both vehicles, with all-wheel drive, are rated at an impressive 19 miles a gallon in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway by the Environmental Protection Agency. Only SUVs with four-cylinder engines and gas-electric hybrid powerplants have higher government mileage ratings for 2009.

The RAV4's strong mileage numbers stem in part from careful tuning of a gasoline-powered V-6. The Toyota vehicle also is smaller and more than 1,650 pounds lighter than the 5,225-pound X5.

The X5 retains the heavy, grounded character that BMWs are known for and still gets great mileage because of the fuel efficiency of a high-tech, diesel-powered, six-cylinder engine.

In fact, the X5 with award-winning 3-liter, double overhead cam, turbocharged diesel, inline 6-cylinder can travel more than 580 miles on a single tank of fuel. The RAV4 doesn't have that kind of travel range.

BMW's new engine also delivers eye-popping torque, or oomph, of 425 foot-pounds, starting at 1,750 rpm. This is better than that of a gasoline V-8 in the X5.

Best of all, the new-for-2009 BMW X5 xDrive 35d – the final "d'' is for diesel – is clean enough in its emissions that it can be sold in all 50 states. California and some Northeast states that have restricted diesel-powered vehicle sales in recent years because of emissions find the diesel X5 doesn't violate their emission standards.

Only problem is, the newest X5 is pricey. Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, is $52,025. This includes standard all-wheel drive, plentiful safety features, automatic transmission, burl walnut trim inside and panoramic moonroof.

The diesel model price is $3,700 more than a base X5 with gasoline-powered, 6-cylinder engine that's rated at just 15/21 mpg.

Competitors include the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class with diesel 6-cylinder engine and $48,125 starting retail price tag and the 2009 Porsche Cayenne SUV, with a starting retail price of $44,295 with gasoline V-6. Mercedes' diesel-fueled ML320 Bluetec is rated at 18/24 mpg by the federal government, while the best mileage for a 2009 Cayenne is 14/20 mpg, according to the EPA.

The X5 has been around for 10 years and grew to 16 feet long as a second-generation vehicle that debuted in fall 2006.

Built at BMW's assembly plant in Spartanburg, S.C., which exports the mid-size SUV to markets around the world, the X5 comes standard with five seats but offers an optional third row for a capacity of seven passengers. No matter how many people are inside, it's an SUV that successfully marries BMW styling and sporty handling with a tall-riding body.

The twin kidney-shaped grille and four headlamps outlined by illuminated rings at the front of the X5 are trademark BMW. They look as good on the X5 as they do on BMW sedans.

But this 5-foot-8 tall BMW provides passengers with great views out on the road and at traffic ahead.

Thick metal pillars around the windshield, plus the solid sound of the X5 doors closing, convey a feeling of safety and security. So, too, do the onboard stability control system, strong brakes, head protection air bag system and other standard features.

At startup, I heard the diesel engine racket immediately, bouncing off the walls of my garage at home.

BMW doesn't cover over and muffle engine sounds like Mercedes does with its diesel. While the telltale diesel noise wasn't obtrusive during driving the X5 as noise from the optional 19-inch tires added in, it was noticeable in confined places, including the drive-through Starbucks line.

But the sounds are a small price to pay for the kind of quick power the diesel offers.

I pushed just a bit on the accelerator, and the X5 moved forcefully out the garage and to the street. Diesel engines have strong torque at low engine rpm, and the 6-cylinder in the X5 is no exception, especially since it's turbocharged.

By a mere 1,500 rpm, which is reached almost without thinking early in acceleration, the X5's diesel has generated a hearty 390 foot-pounds of torque. Peak torque comes by 1,750 rpm and remains to 2,250 rpm.

So, quick merges into city traffic are easy. Don't worry about going too fast and having to ride the brakes to slow down. The X5 accelerator pedal is very sensitive to pressure changes and readily helps modulates power to the wheels.

The test car was a breeze on a three-hour highway trip, too, where I averaged 27 mpg — 1 mpg more than the government rating — because part of the travel was downhill.

Filling up the 22.5-gallon tank cost nearly $50.

All-wheel drive is on full-time and has a normal, 60 percent to the rear and 40 percent to the front bias.

Power automatically shifts from rear wheels to the front when needed — no driver input required.

Side seat bolsters were a bit of an obstacle for entry to the tester's front seats. And power windows and the rear tailgate went up and down more quickly than in some other vehicles.

The X5 rolled over most road bumps with a firm demeanor but with a surprising lack of vibration. The SUV felt a bit top heavy, but the suspension kept everything so tightly controlled, there was no unnerving body motion or lean, even in spirited driving.

The diesel X5 qualifies for a federal tax credit of up to $1,800.