A Lot to Like and Dislike About BMW X5 xDrive35d

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d

model as tested $65,620

Test Drove 3/30/09 – 4/13/09
reviewed by Courtney Messenbaugh

The 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d — or X5 diesel for those not in the know — and I ended our two weeks together with mixed feelings toward each other. Put another way, I developed what can only be described as a love/hate relationship with this car. 

I loved its power, its looks and its gas mileage. The X5 diesel gets an EPA-estimated 19/26 mpg city/highway. The X5 diesel debunks any theories about diesel-powered cars being smelly and loud; it’s neither. While the engine did have a little extra purr to it, the cabin is so well-insulated I almost couldn’t hear it. This all-wheel-drive car drives like the luxury SUV it’s supposed to be. 

Because it’s a diesel, the X5 xDrive35d qualifies for a federal-income tax credit of $1,800. Who doesn’t like to save a little money when buying a car? I’m comfortable enough with myself to tell you that I also liked that the X5 diesel is a BMW; I felt like a fancier version of myself driving a luxury brand. To that point, I liked the luxurious touches it offered me: heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel (loved this), power liftgate, plenty of backseat legroom, a kickin’ stereo with an MP3 adapter and easy-to-access Latch connectors, plus unnecessary, but totally cool, extras like a bag for my skis. 

However, there were things about this car that ruffled my feathers. I spent 20 minutes searching for the glove box, only to discover a black button hidden underneath the front air vents that opened the smallest glove box I’ve ever seen. Don’t even get me started on how long it took me to figure out the iDrive system, with its inconveniently located knob and misleading cues. I would have needed at least a couple more weeks in this car to be able to master it. 

The X5 xDrive35d left me seriously conflicted. I defended it to my husband when he complained about its user unfriendliness, but I cursed it when he wasn’t around to listen. 

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