Towards the end of last year, BMW introduced the third generation of its X5 M mid-size super SUV and with it, an even finer tuned and more powerful Competition model with both having arrived at U.S. dealers this spring.
Priced from $114,100 plus $995 for delivery, the X5 M Competition sits at the top of the range boasting no less than 617 HP (625 PS / 460 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque from the 4.4-liter V8, with dual turbochargers. Nought to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) takes only 3.8 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h), or 180 mph (290 km/h) with the M Driver’s Package.
Beyond the headline numbers, though, what’s it like to drive and live with? Highlighting some of its strong and weak points was CNET’s RoadShow, which got its hands on the X5 M Competition.
In Comfort mode, it’s surprisingly civilized. The ride is on the soft side and the sound deadening keeps occupants cocooned from the exterior, but put it into Sport and all hell breaks loose.
Watch Also: Would You Rather Have The BMW X5 M Competition Or X6 M Competition?
Compared to the regular $105,100 (plus for $995 delivery) and 592 hp (600 PS) X5 M, the Competition has 25 extra horses and is 0.1 seconds quicker to 62 mph. It also features staggered 21-inch front and 22-inch rear wheels, black trim on the grille surround, side mirror caps and badges, and a few other extras. These bump the MSRP to $114,100, $9,000 more than the standard X5 M, which makes us wonder whether it is worth the premium.
While it’s plenty fast in a straight line, the steering doesn’t provide that much feedback. The back seat is kind of cramped and ingress and egress isn’t that good either due to the rear doors that do not open that much, according to the reviewer. Elsewhere, the cockpit is a tech-festooned extravaganza wrapped in fine-leather upholstery and carbon fiber trim.
So, if you had around $100k to blow on a fun car, would the X5 M / X5 M Competition be on your shopping list? There are more than a few vehicles out there within this price range, so we’d really sleep on it, you know, if we were spoiled for choice.