"Our friends think you're nuts to drive in Europe," said my wife. "How are we going to find our way around, especially on those narrow city streets? We don't speak the language and they drive fast."
Mercifully it was too late to change our 10-day circular driving tour through southern Germany and northern Italy, passing through Switzerland and Austria.
There was actually less ground to cover than all those countries would suggest, borders were almost nonexistent, the highway system is absolutely brilliant . . . and we were driving a BMW (with navigation!).
The X5 xDrive35i proved an excellent touring vehicle, or as BMW calls it "Sport Activity Vehicle," that was perfect for our little party of four.
Good driving dynamics are a must for any vehicle with a BMW emblem on the hood, even a utility type vehicle like the X5. It drives like a tall version of the 5 Series wagon with a higher seating position, more cargo space in the rear and xDrive allwheel-drive.
BMW tunes its xDrive system to make the X5 handle with the steering precision of a rear-wheel drive vehicle. In normal driving situations most motive power is sent to the rear wheels. And it cleverly sends even more drive to the rear when it senses the X5 is going around a corner.
THE SCORE
A utility vehicle worthy of the BMW badge, X5 xDrive35i is the fun-todrive sporty alternative.
THE SPECS
2011 BMW X5 XDRIVE35I
Trim levels: xDrive35i, xDrive50i, xDrive35d & M Sticker Price: $59,990 to $97,900
Power (xDrive35i): 3.0-litre twin-turbo I6, 300 horsepower. Transmission: 8-speed automatic Fuel consumption (SHO): 13.0/8.5 L/100 km (city/highway)
Basic Warranty: 4 years / 80,000 km
Powertrain Warranty: 4 years / 80,000 km
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited km
THE COMPETITION
Acura MDX: $52,690 - $62,690
Audi Q7: $53,900 - $69,200
Infiniti QX56: $73,000
Land Rover LR4: $59,990 to $70,790
Lincoln Navigator: $73,100 - $76,100
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: $70,500 - $88,900
Porsche Cayenne: $55,900 - $120,000
Volvo XC90: $51,995 - $59,995
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