Cabin : Luxury meets function
Climbing inside the X5 one is greeted by interiors that are so traditionally BMW yet brimming with tech and utterly modern and laced with quality. The intent seems to make you believe that you are driving a tall sedan rather than a crossover or a SUV. Interiors are similar to other products from the stable albeit with a list of features specific to the X5.
The 26cm stand alone display screen stands nestled above the air-con vents on the dash, which resembles a mini tablet PC. A special mention should be made for its resolution which is brilliant especially with the parking assistance cameras switched on. The double bump on the dash is also done away with, making it look less bulky.
The next bit that arrests your attention and senses at the same time is the “Fineline Pure Wood” trim adorning the dash. Unlike the highly polished and lacquered glossy finish we are used to seeing on premium cars, the X5 is a pleasant surprise displaying the real texture of the trim which makes you reach out and feel it at the first sight.
The seats are dressed in BMW`s Canberra Beige Dakota/Ivory white nappa leather. We have regularly spoken highly of the ergonomics offered in BMW cars, and this SAV is no different. While most of the switches and controls fall within easy reach, only the passenger side power window switch requires a tad bit of stretch but isn’t a bother at all.
The array of buttons and switches bear the familiar resemblance once inside a BMW. The iDrive controller which is the epicenter of various functions also incorporates a touchpad on the dial where as the bezel sports the spaced spline surface. The controller itself is slightly bigger in size and sits a bit more flush than the previous versions and exudes a brilliant tactile feel in operation, while being surrounded by the “shortcut” buttons. A quick highlight of the controls through the iDrive which offers access to Multimedia, Radio, Navigation, Telephone, Office, Connected Drive, Vehicle information and other Settings. The screen itself offers an option of split where one can choose what one wishes to view in the partial pane.
Navigation Input:
The X5 comes preinstalled with a Sat Nav which is swift in locating the vehicle`s position. Dialing in alphabets and numbers is way faster thanks to the touchpad over the tedious twirling of dial to select each character. A simple swipe to the left (e.g.: rejecting a phone call on smart phones) and swipe to the right for “space”, while depressing the dial for “enter” or “select” is very logical. The handwriting recognition is quite intuitive as well as fool proof and doesn’t confuse the software as long as one doesn’t test its patience with neo-gothic characters!
The Sat-Nav itself is very quick and responsive while zoom in/out functions are seamless devoid any lag. The system is integrated with various maps views, points of interests, restaurants, fuel bunks, voice guidance etc. The xDrive status is akin to a digital compass which also displays vehicle inclination in all directions, graphically and numerically.
Vehicle Status/Information: Via the controller and endless menu, sub-menu options one can view real time vehicle information. The dip-stick is made virtual (and redundant) by the onboard Engine oil level check, tyre pressure monitors, service intervals etc. Even though BMW supplies the car with a user manual, for the Smartphone/tab savvy generation that we are in, there`s a soft copy available pre-loaded onboard! This can be accessed through “Vehicle Info” which also gives you Onboard info., Trip computers, Vehicle status, Sport Displays and xDrive status, Efficient dynamics(Historical data on drive mode/fuel economy) etc. The Sport Displays remains our much loved toy which depicts the “Power” and “Torque” dials. These are real time readouts and every dab on the throttle show instantaneous peak power produced by the engine, reminding of the GT-R displays.
Vehicle Settings:
The vehicle settings help in virtually customizing various features on the X5. Whether you want to adjust the control display screen brightness or adjust any of time/date, language/units, touchpad settings etc. This also reveals the Ambient lighting settings control which range from cool blue to tangy orange as well preset mish-mash combinations. These profiles can also be copied onto a USB device and carried to other BMW vehicle for quick deployment.
Smartphone pairing:
This is one feature which is increasingly common to most cars, and here it gives full access (depending upon selection) to your Smartphone’s phonebook/music contents once connected via Bluetooth/USB cable. Searching for content is made simple with the touch pad, and the audio tracks display the album art as well! The sound settings for the wonderful Harman Kardon equipped model can be found here and tweaked as per personal preferences. Music can also be copied to the onboard hardrive. Access to the phone also means text messages can be read on the screen.
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