Now I should be honest here right from the start, and admit that I’ve never really warmed to the BMW X5. Perhaps I should expand on that a little...I drove the very first X5 and initially was not overly impressed with the vehicle. I actually viewed it as a foolish departure from what the company did best, making fun-to-drive automobiles, which is possibly why I’ve never booked one to review. Naturally, I’ve driven them on odd occasions at events like the AJAC and IMPA Test Days, and even I would admit that the vehicle has improved somewhat over the years, but it wasn’t until they mentioned the D, as in Diesel, that I actually got excited enough to ask for a week-long tester.

Now don’t get me wrong, I really like BMW products. In fact, last year whilst reviewing the companies wonderful M5, for a fleeting moment I even considered having the M logo tattooed on my torso. The idea jumped into my brain for just a fraction of a second after experiencing that little M button which the company had thoughtfully placed on the vehicle’s steering wheel. That would be the one which I immediately nicknamed, “The Maniac Button”.

Anyway, enough of my happy M...memories, back to reality, and the 2009 BMW X5d.

Now I’m a transplanted European so the word diesel makes my ears stand to attention whenever it’s mentioned, and when you add that word to one of my other great loves, the SUV, it’s like Beethoven’s 5^th symphony has started playing in my head at full volume.

Of course, diesel SUV’s are about as rare as hen’s teeth here in North America, and although I’ve enjoyed the Jeep Cherokee diesel in the past, something told me that the BMW X5 was going to be noticeably better.

On hindsight, better is probably not the right word there. The Cherokee diesel is a great vehicle for the money and I wouldn’t take anything away from it, but the X5d is simply in another league entirely. Kind of like the Toronto Blue Jays inviting me down for a quick game of ball, and I’m a Brit so I tackle that with the bat facing downwards!

In my opinion, the original X5 was a tad ordinary in styling, and in many ways, that’s what put me off, but the recent redesign has changed all that. In fact, I’d term it one of the best makeovers I’ve ever witnessed, and the design team should relish the fact that they have now turned an old skeptic like me into an X5 fan. To me, the vehicle now appears considerably more aggressive looking and consequently, I view it as a much better fit for the BMW lineup.

When climbing into the vehicle, an old British expression immediately jumps to mind, “It’s the business”! By that, I mean that it has everything you’d ever want, it’s all dressed up for a night out on the town, but it’s not overdone, if you know what I mean. It’s like walking into Harry Rosen’s for a nice pinstripe business suit. You simply know that you’re going to look sharp in it, yet because of the cut and shape of the cloth, there’s no need to dress it up further with fancy jewelry and accessories.

Obviously, with a vehicle priced around $75k ($62,200 base, $74,525 as tested) you’re not going to be left wanting for much. My tester came loaded with the optional Activity package, Technology package (Sat-Nav, Rear Camera, Park Distance Control etc), Premium package (Panorama Sunroof, Electronic Tilt/Telescopic Steering, Nevada leather Upholstery), Comfort package (Comfort Seats with Lumbar Support, Comfort Access, Automatic Tailgate), and it also boasted USB Audio Integration, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and something called Dark Bamboo Wood Trim. Now to be perfectly honest with you, I’d actually forgo that last one as I wasn’t overly impressed with its look. For some reason, most German car companies seem to have a problem with wood trim. They either make it look too woody, or it’s excessively overlaid with clear lacquer. Also, is it just me or does Bamboo sound like a strange choice of wood for a German car company to use? 

Also, I’ve still not entirely come to terms with the BMW I-Drive system. Yes, I know that it simplifies everything and removes numerous dials and buttons from the dashboard, but somehow, I still find myself glancing away from the road when I need to change radio stations. Maybe I simply need to drive a few more BMW’s to fully acclimatize myself to the system. I’m thinking...the M3, maybe the M5 again, and of course, anything at all with the Alpina logo on it!

I was also a little surprised by the way the X5d’s fronts seat bolsters electronically adjusted to hug your body upon startup, something like those in the M5. Now if you’ve ever had the pleasure of piloting (and that’s a good word for it) an M5, you’d understand why this is needed on that vehicle, but on an SUV?