2007 BMW X5 - First Drive Review - Car and Driver (blog)
BMW didn't have much competition in 2000 when it dropped the sleek, fun X5 into a stodgy SUV market. Never seriously eclipsed were the BMW's looks or dynamic prowess, so the all-new 2007 X5 expands on its strong suits and moves to meet the other challenges with expanded cargo space and a first-ever third row of seats. The X5 is taller than a Jeep Grand Cherokee and weighs nearly as much as a Chevy Tahoe, but BMW buyers still want a vehicle that drives like a BMW. The X5 has always had some of the sprightliest footwork of the luxo-utes, and BMW claims to have stepped it up big time with the new model. The new suspension configuration reads like a spec sheet for a proper sports car: Unequal-length control arms in front, and a multilink independent rear, with optional active damping (Electronic Damping Control) and variable rate roll stiffness... The coordination of Electronic Damping Control and Active Roll Stabilization is handled by AdaptiveDrive, a system that promises superior dynamic control without any penalty in ride. The system works by processing data from numerous sensors to control body motion and magnetically-controlled damper valving. Source: www.caranddriver.com
