The BMW E70 is the second-generation BMW X5 mid-size luxury SUV. It replaced the BMW X5 (E53) in July 2006. It was manufactured alongside the BMW X6 at BMW's Greer, South Carolina plant in the U.S. and BMW's facility in Toluca, Mexico.

The E70 BMW X5 was 60 mm (2.4 in) wider, 165 mm (6.5 in) longer; with a 110 mm (4.3 in) longer wheelbase, but remains at the height of the E53 X5 at 1,766 mm (69.5 in).

The xDrive AWD system updates previewed in the facelifted X5 have continued with further detail improvements for the E70. It uses a double wishbone suspension at the front.^[3] The manual transmission is entirely dropped, leaving only the automatic transmission.

The E70 features many new technological advancements for this class as standard equipment including BMW's iDrive system, electronic 'joystick' gearshift (no mechanical connection to the gearbox to save space in the console), LED taillamps, the first ever all-polypropylene single module fender module,^[4] and options such as heads-up display (HUD), active steering, active damping, and Dynamic Drive which uses active anti-roll bars employing a hydraulic servo in the middle to actively counteract body roll.^[3] The X5 has a rollover risk of 17.4%.^[5]

The interior of the X5 is completely new. It has a large center-mounted display screen and the simplified iDrive, a man-machine interface system also found in the rest of the BMW model range. The E70 further incorporates many comfort options such as a glass panorama-roof, and, for the first time in a BMW, an optional third row seat which has increased the seating capacity in E70 to 7 passengers, addressing criticism of the E53 model which had been regarded as being slightly too small for this market segment.

The E70 is also the first production vehicle to use FlexRay, a new extremely fast electrical bus system; it is only used for the control of the chassis damping system. The new 'joy-stick'-style electronic space-saving shifter has since been adopted in the new 2007 BMW 5 Series.

For the 2010 model year the X5 received the new iDrive system and the BMW individual audio system along with various other minor updates.

Technical features which other BMW models use also:

• Active steering- changes the steering ratio depending on the speed and driving style
• Adaptive Drive with Active Roll Stabilization and adaptive shock absorbers
• Head-up display - critical information projected onto the windshield
• Comfort Access - keyless access and engine start
• Daytime running lights on the "Corona Rings" around the main headlight units
• Four-zone climate control

New is the Park Distance system that can be integrated into the image of the optional rearview camera.

During the Volkswagen emissions violations, an X5 diesel was used as an example of a compliant vehicle.^[6][7][8][9]

The BMW X5 M is a high-performance derivative of the X5. It was introduced to the press at the New York Auto Show in April 2009 and started appearing in BMW dealerships in September 2009, for the 2010 model year. It competes with cars such as the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. At the time of its launch, it was the most powerful car in its class.^{[citation needed]}

The BMW X5 M is the first xDrive all-wheel-drive vehicle from M GmbH along with the X6 M. The M offers the same utility as the regular X5, with the addition of the V8 M TwinPower Turbo, a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 delivering 547 bhp (408 kW; 555 PS) at 5,750 rpm and peak torque of 501.2 lb⋅ft (680 N⋅m), available between 1,500 and 5,650 rpm. The S63 engine is a high output variation of the N63 power unit.

The X5 M can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.0 seconds, and a quarter-mile (402 m) time of 12.5 seconds with a trap speed of 112 mph (180.2 km/h) was recorded by Car and Driver magazine.^[10] In the same test, the X5 M bested the 0–60 mph (97 km/h) and quarter-mile times of the 2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, and the 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged. In wet conditions, the X5 M went around the Top Gear Test Track in 1:28.2, 5.1 seconds faster than the Audi Q7 V12 TDI.^{[citation needed]}

Coupled with special suspension specifically optimized for M that features Adaptive Drive and the newly developed M Servotronic power steering, the performance Sport Activity Vehicle promises very competent handling. Other high-tech features include launch control for maximum acceleration and a six-speed M Sport automatic transmission optimized for performance. Drivers can manually select gears using either paddles or an electronic gear selector lever. Electronically controlled, variable power distribution to the front and rear axle prevents the tendency to oversteer or understeer, before DSC Dynamic Stability Control is required to cut in.

The BMW X5 M features the biggest brakes on a BMW production vehicle, with 15.55" (395x36mm) rotors up front clamped by four-piston calipers, and 15.2" (385x24mm) rotors at the rear with single-piston calipers. Although traction control is standard, the M Dynamic Mode (MDM) reduces the effect of the system, allowing some wheelspin and drift-type cornering.

For the 2013 model lineup, BMW introduced the M Performance Package available for the xDrive35i and xDrive50i. The M Performance Package models have nearly identical features to the X5 M (sport suspension, wider fenders, staggered wheels, etc.) excluding the quad-tip exhaust, headlights, and engines. The M Performance Package also bumped up the engine output for both models - an additional 15 hp (11 kW) for the xDrive35i and 40 hp (30 kW) for the xDrive50i (torque was also increased by 30 lb-ft for both).^[11][12]

M Performance Parts were available for the X5 M. These include black kidney grilles, steel pedals, a sport steering wheel and M rims.

In 2010 the X5 underwent a "Life Cycle Impulse" (LCI) update, debuted at the New York Auto Show in April 2010 and introduced as 2011 models in BMW North America markets. The changes included revised styling, primarily of the front and rear bumpers, air intakes, headlights, and taillights as well as new exterior and interior colors and new options combination. It also included BMW Group's latest infotainment system. HD Radio, previously an option, was now standard on all X5 models in North America.

More significantly, a new range of engines, all turbocharged and with direct injection was introduced. In the North American market, available gasoline power trains are the xDrive 35i twin-scroll turbo six-cylinder and the xDrive50i twin turbo V8, both coupled to an eight-speed automatic Steptronic transmission. These petrol engines are more powerful than their predecessors, with the 35i also providing improved fuel mileage and reduced emissions. The xDrive 35d turbodiesel carries over in the NA market with the six-speed transmission unchanged from the previous model year. The xDrive40d was also introduced along with a revised xDrive30d, but neither was available in the North American market.^[19]

The X5M engine and transmission remains the same.

• Pre-facelift styling
• Front (4.8i)
• Rear (3.0d)

• Post-facelift styling
• Front (xDrive35i M Sport)
• Rear (xDrive30d)

It is a variant with safety glass, heavy-duty material and ballistics-resistant steel modifications. It comes with a 4.8l engine with Steptronic automatic transmission.^{[citation needed]} Armour is rated to safety class VR4 and is configured to carry a roof mounted 7.62mm, AK-47 assault rifle.^[20] The vehicle sells for approximately $220,000.

It is a hybrid electric vehicle model featuring 2.0 L four-cylinder variable twin-turbo diesel engine rated 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) and 400 N⋅m (295 lbf⋅ft) at 2,000–2,250 rpm, a 15-kilowatt electric motor driven by a lithium ion battery pack, eight-speed transmission developed by BMW and ZF, roof-mounted solar panels, 19-inch light alloy wheels with reduced ventilation.^[21] It was unveiled in 2008 at the Geneva Auto Show.^[22][23][24]