BMW lays claim to inventing the Sports Activity Vehicle when it launched the first X5 back in 1999 and with sales topping the 1.3 million mark the Bavarian car maker has just introduced a third generation.
It wanted to develop a car with all-road, all-weather capabilities along with the space and versatility of an SUV plus all the driving dynamics of a BMW saloon. And so the X5 was born.
The latest model, which goes on sale on November 16, delivers advances in comfort, luxury, versatility, design, efficiency, safety, connectivity and even driving pleasure.
It will be available with five TwinPower Turbo engines - four diesels and one petrol - with prices starting from £42,590 and rising to £63,920.
All X5 models feature an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the choice of two or four-wheel-drive (sDrive or xDrive). There are just two trim levels - SE and M Sport - but for the first time two special packages are available.
The first is called Design Pure Experience which helps to emphasise the X5's sporting robustness and features brushed stainless steel underbody protection, kidney grille and air intake bars plus a titanium effect rear trim strip.
There is more high gloss black and chrome on show and even the tailpipes have a matt chrome finish. Inside there is Nappa leather with contrast stitching, black leather on the instrument panel and other distinctive features. This package adds £1,760 to the asking price.
The second package is called Design Pure Excellence which emphasises the X5's elegance. The underbody protection and wheel arch surrounds are in body colour while the kidney grille bars are black with high gloss chrome fronts.
The interior features brighter ivory white leather trim which contrasts neatly with the Atlas grey leather instrument panel and door panel coverings. This package adds £1,160 to the price-tag.
The new model is also more efficient thanks to a reduction in weight along with a number of fuel-saving features, including an ECO PRO driving mode, auto start-stop, brake energy regeneration and low-rolling resistance tyres
Exterior design changes are fairly minimal but include a larger grille, raised bonnet, four large air intakes, full LED rear lights and a wider-looking rear stance.
The interior boasts newly designed seats, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats as standard, increased storage of 650 litres or 1,870 with the rear seats folded flat. And on the new X5 the split tailgate is opened and closed automatically. There is a three-stage dashboard layout along with ambient lighting.
We tried out the all-singing, all-dancing M50d with its powerful 3.0-litre engine priced at £63,715. The optional extras added a further £13,115 to the price tag.
Boasting all the M Sport design spec plus a few extras, this X5 can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in just 5.3 seconds and tops out at an electronically limited 155mph.
The performance is certainly dynamic and road-holding flawless even when tackling tight bends at pace. There is virtually no engine or road surface noise to speak of and comfort levels are excellent for all occupants.
There are four driving modes to choose from - the ECO PRO setting, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ - and although the latter is possibly the most fun, the Comfort set up is the most refined for everyday use.
Features of real note are the iDrive system which offers access to most of the car's infotainment systems in a simplistic, yet really effective way, a brilliant head-up display, plus an easy-to-operate sat nav system with 10.2-inch free-standing colour display screen. To be fair, there are touches of luxury and sophistication at every glance.
According to BMW the model we drove can achieve combined fuel economy of 42.2mpg with carbon emissions of 177g/km. However on a 100-mile route incorporating busy towns, country lanes and dual carriageways we only managed to see 29.4mpg.
We also took the vehicle off road where it coped admirably with steep ascents and descents along with muddy wooded trails.
The hill descent eased through the challenges put in its path and you can even watch how the traction is being distributed between the wheels on the colour screen. Camera options also allow you to see the path ahead in beautiful colour and high definition clarity.
The X5 has a whole host of safety features. As well as the more instantly recognisable systems there is also a glare-free high beam assistant which automatically masks a section of the light when oncoming traffic is detected.
BMW night vision detects pedestrians and animals and includes a dynamic light spot to illuminate anything that is heat-radiating outside the headlight beam.
These are just a handful of the innovative new systems that BMW has introduced to make its latest generation X5 model an attractive option to buyers and one that will keep the brand in the forefront of the market.