SQ8/SQ7/GLE 53/GLE 580? Yes, you may obviously be cross shopping them with the X5 M50i, but the rather unexpected bump in performance for the M50i means that all of them are notably slower 0-60. The GLE 53 is 1.3 seconds slower to 60, the SQ7 3/10ths slower. The SQ7 is a big and rather front heavy 3-row CUV that Audi thinks is more of an X7 M50i competitor and I'd agree with that. The RSQ8 and GLE 63 are bat-*-craxy for sure, but they are X5M competition.
ALEX - the TESLA model X is the ULTIMATE SUV at any Price. its the SAFEST SUV ever made and the Fastest on the Road today, it can SMOKE American Muscle cars and Supercars.
Great review, thank you! I took delivery of a custom-built 2021 X5 M50i in October with all the bells and whistles and absolutely love it. It is a perfect mix of luxury and sports vehicles, so much fun to drive without being stuck in the always ”on” stiffer M version. I've been a fan of the X5, having had the V8 version of the 2008, 2011, 2015, 2018, and now the 2021 M50i. Even after test driving the Audi, Mercedes, Porche, and Range Rover, I keep returning to the X5.
Hey Alex. Great review. I actually own an M50i but have the air suspension option, 4wheel steering , luggage trunk and bowers and Wilkins diamond surround. I can honestly say that a better combination of comfort and performance cannot be found. I drove them all prior to my choice. Good review.
I'd probably lease one, but wouldn't want to own it after the warranty. I have a family member that has one that has aged out of warranty but well under milage.(16,000 miles) She just spent $1500.00 on an airbag. It may have dry rot just from sitting in the garage. Also I'd get the maintenance package to be included if they have one. Aside from that, for a large vehicle it's a blast to drive.
We drove several of the same competitors (base powertrains) and ended up with the X5 40i. It felt like a more special vehicle from interior quality to the powertrain, the I6 turbo is magnificent. The X5 also has a tendency to feel smaller and lighter than it is when you start driving it.
Same here. The X40i is the best value proposition out of the German luxury brands. The GLE and Q7 both have embarrassing 4-cylinder as base engines (albeit for a few grand less). I don't get why they push those engines into these giant vehicles. If you look at Q7 fuel economy numbers it's a total joke to even have the 4-cylinder. The GLE is the same case... a $60K performance-oriented German brand has a 7 second 0-60, that's slower than a V6 camry. I'm not suggesting we all need these V8s but I'd expect SOME standards. AMG models are hot and I fully respect them but the GLE 350 is pretty lame.
J T your wife’s palisade also doesn’t drive like this.... and guess what your palisade also has a few options that are not standard on some Rolls or Bentleys but you’re not going to be comparing it to those 2 anytime soon... there’s levels and costs to luxury and feel and it doesn’t always show on the options list
Jonathan Hidalgo it drives just fine for my wife. And me too. It’s a great highway vehicle. It’s really an astonishing design, build and engineering. My hat is off to the South Koreans. The Genesis GV80 is quite a build also. But we are completely satisfied with the Palisade and I’d compare it to any automobile no matter who the manufacturer is. They’re all just cars and all have there own issues at times.
In terms of the M50i vs. the base engine (s/x40i), the issue is not when you are driving around by yourself with no passengers or cargo. Its when you have 4 adults + heavy cargo in the x40i that it really starts to feel anemic and under-powered. Thats what lead me to choose the M50i.
But it's not underpowered if you drive normal... why do you want to have 4 adults + heavy cargo and go fast? I mean yea the V8 is really nice but 4 second is not necessary, by any objective standards. In fact I think for most cars 5-6 second is a sweet spot.
I own the 2020 X5 M50i. Like you said a few times in this video, it is the best SUV for the price, hands down, no question!!!! I absolutely enjoy every time I drive this thing. 1 mile, 10 miles, 50 miles, every time is just awesome. There is NO other vehicle like the X5 M50i for the price. Good Video man!
I appreciate Alex because he spends time critiquing the ride. What I want to know is how firm is firm. For instance, I hate the ride on my 2020 Honda Accord, it rides rough as hell and crashes into bumps. The suspension is very unsophisticated.
The m50i is currently the best blend of size, practicality, power, and comfort. However, I am surprised how few SQ7 reviews have been published considering the first one was at my dealer back in June. According to the latest tests, the 500HP SQ7 has a 0-60mph time of 4.3 sec or quicker (Motortrend). The SQ7 might be closer to the m50i than originally asserted. Would be nice to get to the bottom of it. Price wise they are direct competitors.
I like the little tailgate. The wife always says object may have shifted during the flight before she opens the hatch. Then the groceries fall out as the gate opens. She categorized as a "spirited" driver.
I’d probably go Jeep track hawk. For the bmw, it’s expected to be fast and that’s kind of deja vu if I’m honest. But to see a Jeep suv that’s not even luxury, be way faster than any European suv in existence, that is surprising
It's similar to a corvette. Luxury... think about a Royce Rolls or a Bentley, even with massive V-12 engines they are not as fast because to make it quiet you have to add more sound deadening material which increases the weight. It's actually common sense if you think about it.
This car is soo good I was thinking about it these last days about how good it’s quality is compared to its competitors idk wether the GLE or X5 is better but I can already say hands down on other rivals this SUV is the best
Another fantastic review Alex. Don’t forget that the Lincoln Nautilus also has that same available 400 HP TT V6 as the Aviator and handles sharper than the Aviator. It just seems like a closer competitor, given that it is a 2 row luxury crossover.. I know the X5 would be more vault-like and will likely drive better, but it seems like a more direct competitor.
I wish you would flash a picture of the other models (M5, ect.) when you bring them up and compare. I know it's more editing, but it would pay dividends to the quality of absorbing the information. I keep having to pause and look up the other models that you speak of. Not so fluid.
@@ivanlowjones That's a fair point. The 7 series is the equivalent of an anvil when it comes to depreciation. The X5, by being an SUV, probably depreciates at a slightly slower clip.
@@ivanlowjones caredge.com/bmw/x5/depreciation The X5 depreciates pretty fast, especially in the first 3 years. Should expect 26% depreciation in the first year, another 24% the second year, and 19% the third year. The national average for car depreciation is 19% for the first year, 15% for the second and third years. "The BMX X5 ranks 56th out of 70 luxury models for depreciation after five years, and will lose over 60% of its original value."
I don’t know why the Tach is on the right side and not the left and the Speedo on the right instead. It looks dumb going backwards counter clockwise. I prefer the Star Trek Gauges
I love your reviews. I wish you have reviewed previous gen Cayenne, eg. 2016. Is there a reason there are no Porsche on this channel? I'm in a market for a 5 year old SUV and cars as different as XC90, Q7, X5, Cayenne made it to the list, and I was hoping I can compare those using your reviews. Sadly, Cayenne is left off.
As I say in the video, the RSQ8 is an X5M competitor, and as such is is much, much, much more expensive and the SQ8, like the GLE 580 is notably slower. .
@@AAutoBuyersGuide SQ8 starts at 89k and has 500 HP. Then there's the RSQ8 which starts at $115k and has 590 HP. So the Audi's have slightly higher base prices but pretty close on HP
HP does not equal similar performance, because for crazy reasons BMW always lies about their HP numbers and the engine is likely in the 560 HP range at sea level.
@@AAutoBuyersGuide I'll concede that the BMW is very likely faster, but not by much (1/2 second to 60?) and that the Q8s are more akin to X6 competitors and less practical BUT, on paper at least, M50i & SQ8 are close in HP, price, dimensions, weight, etc. AND they are both aligned as middle-pack offerings with 5 seats and V8 engines but are not the full bore M or RS. Alright I'm done. Keep up the good work!
Great review, as usual. I would love to see you review the x5 xdrive45e. I've never given the X5 serious consideration as my next vehicle, but the all-electric range, power, and tow rating in the 45e may just change my mind. Cheers!
You say that Audi does not have a middle ground between the Q8 and the RSQ8 so no direct competitor to the M50i. But that middle vehicle is the SQ8. Both have near identical 0 to 60 times, horsepower, torque and price point. Your thoughts?
just wondering - you were quite impressed with X5 M50I handling ... but did your test car have the active anti-roll system? That makes it even better, I've heard.
T8 is a very complex powertrain... a supercharger and a turbocharger AND hybrid. Also Volvo is not as good of a brand to most people. They were crappy for a while (but yes I do think current gen is good objectively speaking)
Id absolutely chose this M50i. My only gripe is yea i wish it had the MBUX but the rear seats not reclining is a deal breaker. Im actually planning a cross country adventure next year and wanna take a super cruiser. Im thinking the new S class or the GLS 580... i seriously cant decide. I love the idea of the GLE being up high but then the newest and greatest is in the S class and who wouldn't wanna go cross country in a S class?
Alex has a spine of steel. To me the regular X5 felt like an ironing board, don't even want to try one with stiffer suspension, at least not on California roads.
As I say in the video, the GLE 53 and GLE 580 are notably slower and the AQ7 is a bigger 3-row vehicle that is more X7 than X5 sized, and its still about 1/2 a second slower.
The SQ7 is bigger and a 3-row vehicle that's about 1/2 a second slower and the RSQ8 is an X5M competitor. The SQ8 is also about 1/2 a second slower which is a big margin here.
Other than the standard white or black paint, the only other standard item for BMWs are their glass jaws. The X5's reputation for electronic and mechanical breakdowns is legendary. BMW acknowledged this by shortening their CPO warranty from 2 yrs to 1 yr. Apparently too many X5 buyers had problems in that 2nd year, costing BMW big time. Now, they hand that sizable repair bill to you, the lucky owner.
,the bmw shown here carries a nj plate. Does it mean Alex is in tri state area? But I believe I saw some videos and Alex was evaluating vehicle in Vancouver .
I love the exterior styling of current BMW. The vehicles look muscular but not too flashy. What kills it for me is the gauge cluster. It looks ugly and does not not have the customizability that Mercedes and Audi offer. It is just the worst of both worlds.
To match/beat the X5 M50i you would need a Cayenne Turbo which is priced more like the X5M. The Turbo *starts over $45,000 more. The GTS will be more expensive and a 1/2 second slower.
Now that all the safety systems are standard in most Kia, Hyundai, Ford, Honda, etc models, this game of option package fleecing is becoming a bit too obvious for me.
Luki My Not really. At the time, there were no BMW factory incentives or special financing. The dealer did discount about 6.2% from msrp (78,245), about $4,855. I put a 35% cash deposit down and that helped me get 2.69% financing for the balance through BMW. I shopped ten dealers in western PA and eastern OH and only two of them were willing to do better than a 2% discount.
Mark Nixon thanks for your reply. 6% is not bad I guess. You also qualify for $7.5k tax credit, it sure if PA has any additional incentives. I hope the car will be problems free for you. I currently drive 330e and love it but wished the battery was bigger. What is your electric only range?
Luki My Thank you. Electric range is 38-40 miles usually, but I drive like a putz and mostly rural roads. The traffic on my morning commute to work is mostly Amish buggies fwiw. lol
How about the Macan GTS or Turbo? (i'm thinking you very rarely review Porsche, eh?) also, since when does 69db cabin noise rate only a B? Is there a quieter SUV with similar performance?
Macan is much smaller (It's like Q3 almost), but that's a hell of a car. Most people (including BMW owners) agree Macan handles better than all the other German brands in the segment (GLC, X3, etc).
23:57 "... absolutely crazy AMG versions of the GLE ..." Actually, the GLE53 AMG has a six-cylinder engine with 429 HP and 384 lb-ft torque. It's kind of a snooze, at least according to many reviewers -- 0-60 is 5.2 versus 4.9 for the GLE580.
That's where these generic horsepower figures lie to you. The x40i has 335hp on paper, but does 0-60 in 5 second flat... so you tell me how that's possible when the GLE53 has almost 100 more hp.
@@dailyrant4068 This is a complex issue -- 0-60 times depend on a lot more than just horsepower. There's weight, transmission, smoothness of the torque curve. The BMW 40-series straight six is known to be underrated by the factory. They have been making that engine for a long time. The Mercedes straight six is their first one since the 1990s. I think they could have made the performance a bit better than they did. In any case, 0.2 seconds really isn't very much.
@Andrew Mai 0.2 second is a lot when you are talking about 100 extra hp on the slower vehicle. Yes, anyone who pays attention to German brands know BMW underrates and usually their quoted figure is like the wheel horsepower and not at the crank. Also everyone knows there are more factor than just HP. However your argument doesn't stand because 1) when comparing MB and BMW, their weights and overall size of their vehicles are usually close in range (makes sense because they are literally the most direct competitors with each other). 2) To argue that MB hasn't built inline-six so it's "weaker" is just non sense. Overall, my point stands that generic horsepower numbers don't tell the truth.
