BMW was in no big hurry to get into the sport-utility game, especially after it bought Rover, whose products included the upmarket and highly capable Range Rover. There was also the challenge, and potential pitfalls, involved in reconciling a big, plodding rock hopper and BMW's sporting image. On the other hand, there was the dealer unhappiness triggered by BMW sales lost to someone else's sport-utes. Since this means there is definitely a demand for a vehicle fitting into this gap, we found it appropriate to offer an answer typical of BMW, taking the opportunity to create a new and fascinating vehicle full of character. And full of window sticker, we might add.
Hybrids have a carlike unitized body and independent suspension.
Traditional, truck-based utes, such as the Ford Explorer and Toyota 4Runner, have a true frame and usually a nonindependent, live rear axle. As a result, the hybrid is usually at its best providing traction advantages on a slippery street, not a slippery trail. The vehicle seemed to do pretty well off-road, although it was hard to tell on the course BMW had laid out. The off-roading also demonstrated that the handsome, muscular X5 is as strong as it looks. No creaks and squeaks in this critter.