I can admit when I am wrong. I had never driven a BMW before and rented the X5 which you see in the image to the side. I went on a road trip of 1400 miles and I loved driving it.
No I am not trying to get you to buy one. It is an expensive purchase and probably isn’t right for everyone. However my current car is a Lexus RX 350 which is older, and the 16 year difference between this and the Lexus makes the X5 better in every aspect.
Yes there is a downside. Other people seem to drive more irresponsibly when I drove this. I think they figured I was going to be a jerk, which is one of the things I was wrong about. I remember a few BMW/luxury car owners being a jerk, so I didn’t want to own one because I didn’t want to be a jerk.
Now of course that is silly. Why did I rent this car if I felt this way? Since I was driving for several hours and across states I wanted something that was not going to hurt my body like my last car rental did. I wanted a premium/luxury SUV and when I turned down the Mercedes this was in my budget and I thought why not? It can’t be worse than my last rental which was a domestic and cheap US SUV.
The comfort was outstanding. Even though I had rented the cheapest X5, it was quiet and the seats were great. I really was surprised how much I liked this car.
Does that mean I would buy it? No. The Lexus even though it is old, still has life left in it and I don’t want to be trapped paying off another car for several years when I rarely use a car. I need a car less now than I have ever done.
Would I buy it if I won the lottery? Perhaps. I might test drive a Porsche since I saw many reviewers favorably compare the X5 to a Porsche Cayenne. Still it is a compelling vehicle and clearly the best vehicle I have ever had the pleasure to drive and ride in.
Have I become the jerk that I feared BMW drivers are? Perhaps. Or perhaps I just was surprised how much I secretly want a more responsive car.