Test drive BMW X5 E53 2003 - 2007 SUV

All photos of the BMW X5 E53 2003 - 2007

Weightlifting

He crushed me! It was lucky that only morally, first by the view, the first associations with a combat elephant or whale. A huge, with a long nose, Audi-Q7 turned the A6 sedan standing nearby into a short car, flattened along the asphalt.

However, getting used to the dimensions even in a dense, chaotic Moscow stream was not difficult. Review forward and not to the side is not bad, excellent in giant mirrors. In addition, black limous-sedorist clearly suppresses not only me
I go calmly and confidently. But now I feel like a pensioner who first saw a computer. Buttons, light bulbs, wheels, on the screen of the main display one information, between the speedometer and the tachometer another. Uf! Will it be possible to get rid of two and a half tons of steel and alloys, skin, microcircuits and wires?
There are no many cars

At least this is believed by the creators of large all -wheel drives. But even the BMW X5 is a certain standard in the class of all -terrain cruisers, the close analogue of the Audi Q7 in terms of characteristics and price, looks small against its background.
However, from here, from the depths of the front chair, you will not say that the audi is noticeably larger. A few extra millimeters of the width are almost not noticeable. The cars have more in common: a rather dense landing, limited by a powerful tunnel in the middle and bloated doors on the sides. Perhaps the only, but annoying drawback of BMW ergonomics hidden under the handle of the door of the windows key. He lowered the rear window several times. Then the word, but did not accept.
Sitting in the audi is more difficult for a massive front stand is more inclined. But inside, against the backdrop of a light, elegant, wealthy Q7 salon, the backwood looks modest, if not a simple one. True, all pens and buttons in X5 are located logically and conveniently. There are simply a lot of them, therefore, it will not be possible to get used to this or another car in five minutes.

I master the creations of Bavarian computer builders. The general principles are similar: you enter the main menu, then into the submenu. Management of this economy in Audi is still simpler (apparently, the youth of the model affects). I choose a large twist on the tunnel, by pressing it, I confirm my decision. In BMW, everything seems to be, only a little steeple regulates the sound of a radio and TV. Yes, and the menu in X5 is a little wisdom. But, on the heart: how many functions will you use often? I think, two or three, no more.

The desire to mechanize everything and everything sometimes leads to interruption. I regard the duffel box Audi, opened by the button in the neighborhood, and covered with my hand, like a certain curiosity. But the rear view camera translating the color image to the central display pleased. The line bending when turning the steering wheel indicates the trajectory of the car. With such dimensions, the option is not superfluous!
At the back in the BMW, I thought perfectly until I sat in Audi. In terms of space, if he does not furnish the long -busy representative sedans, he will not lag behind them. If you move the seat forward, it’s still not bad. But there, from behind two more chairs! True, they are designed for passengers no higher than 160 cm, and only children will like to climb there. And certainly not a lady in a skirt. Even if the lady is miniature, and the skirt is flared up.
But in terms of the volume of the trunk, Audi is in a five -seater version (however, with the most moved back by the average seats), BMW did not beat so much. Paul in Q7 above. Nevertheless, the scope in this bus is such that without companions here is somehow lonely.
How much is 200 grams?

According to the factory characteristics, the Audi engine, losing the BMW motor 200 cubes of the working volume, is 30 hp more powerful. Do not forget, Q7 is noticeably heavier, so the winning X5 is logical in dynamics. Low BMW maximum speed is due to a programmed restriction for tires with index N (the maximum permissible speed of 210 km/h).
But the point is not only in numbers. In a dense city stream to Audi, you need to get used to it. You press the pedal: nothing happens, you squeeze a jerk. According to the subjective sensations of BMW, it is not just more freaks, it is more convenient to control the traction on it, the review on the pedal is clear and immediately understandable. On the highway, Audi responds to Kick Dawn noticeably later, so it is not easy to maintain the BMW rhythm on overtaking.

In the sport gearbox mode, the differences are minimal: according to measurements, cars won by themselves almost 0.1 s (in the table the results in the Drive position). Manual mode? Once again I was convinced: in my opinion, this is from the evil one, especially when the power of the motor is over 300 forces. Sometimes the machine reacts to pressing the pedal to the floor faster than the same operation with a preliminary transition manually a couple of steps lower.
Such machines are more important than not manual mode of the brake box! At Audi they are at an unattainable height. I did not even expect that nearly a 2.5-ton weightlifter would slow down so intense and stable. BMW slows down above average, but with an increase in the number of emergency braking, the braking distance increased slightly. The reason, perhaps, is not even in the brakes, but in the tires of M+S.
In one team

A modern high -speed all -around is always a kind of contradiction. Say, not about high cross -country ability, in its classical understanding, to reason, looking at these cars. Yes, in the position of the Lift pneumatic lighting, the Audi road clearance is very solid (from Lift the car independently drops into Offroad at a speed of about 30 km/h, then, 100 km/h in Comfort; only the driver can establish a risky position on noticeable irregularities). But take a look at the front overhang, a long base, the lowest point inside of which also falls on the gas tank. BMW geometry from the point of view of patency is a little better but only a little. Let us also recall that in the transmission of cars there is no lowering gear. Well, who will rise in a hand to drive such cars into the mud to the waist? Their element of the road, albeit not very smooth, dirty or snowy, but hard.

Audi Q7 will even pass noticeable irregularities with dismissive ease, passengers sometimes do not know about them. The car has a very sharp steering wheel: the turns I want to go faster. But a huge, high bus is noticeably rolled, in addition, the driver slides out of a rich leather chair. On the straight line, longitudinal waves are documented. In the ruts, a thoroughbred station wagon scours, sometimes quite strong. As if looking for a more decent road. But there are few such non -ruling in Russia, especially in the spring.
The BMW X5 steering wheel is slightly more. On a direct alternate, he behaves more calmly, and in turns a less bulky car perfectly holds the trajectory, almost does not roll. A sporty, rope horse harnessed BMW? Yes, but with predictable consequences: the X5 reacts to irregularities with indignation. After the next bukh, I thought: on a long journey with fellow travelers, I would have to wave to Audi, and to smash along the metropolis and its environs, in my opinion, more pleasant on the BMW.
The weight of the arguments

Equal assessments of the cars did not surprise us. Audi Q7 captivates with novelty, here is luxurious, with fiction finishes, space, comfort. BMW X5, although much older than the model year, liked the verified handling, excellent dynamics. The latter was paid by an impressive fuel consumption: 20 l/100 km per trip, a frequent indicator of the on -board computer. Audi is more economical, which was also confirmed by the frequency of refueling during the test. I think this factor will take into account at least part of the buyers
BMW X5 has already acquired hot fans of the Audi Q7, I am sure that he will also find them. These people who are overcome by the characters, the composition of the family, and the way of life are finally just taste, will have their own significant arguments. Say, I have already made my choice (though, alas, virtual)
Audi Q7
The all -wheel drive car made his debut at the Frankfurt car dealership in the fall of 2005. Sales in Russia since the spring of 2006.
Engines: gasoline 4.2 l (350 hp) and diesel 3.0 l (233 hp).
Gearbox: automatic
6-speed.
Configurations: individual.
The price of basic versions: $ 76 965 107 673.

BMW x5
The all-terrain vehicle has been produced since 1999, in 2004 the car was modernized.
Engines: gasoline 3.04.8 liters (231360 hp), diesel 3 l (218 hp).
Gearboxes: 5- or 6-speed automatic (3.0 liters of gasoline and diesel engine), 6-speed automatic (4.4 and 4.8 l).
Complete: basic and packages of additional equipment Special, Business, Luxury, Dynamic.
Price: є69 90093 400 ($ 87 000117 000).

Audi Q7 spacious, comfortable liner for long travel.
General assessment 8.7
+ A huge interior, roomy trunk, excellent brakes, rich equipment.
- too sharp for such a massive car, the steering wheel, uncomfortable traction control, long front overhang.

BMW X5 is still the best car in its class, high-speed all-wheel drive provocateur.
General assessment 8.7
+ Excellent accelerated dynamics, excellent handling.
- Boring interior decoration, a large fuel consumption.