BMW’s top seller SAV, the X5, went through an extensive review with the folks over at MotorTrend. As we reported in our own test drive back in April, the new X5 received a mild facelift for 2011.



The exterior changes are subtle to the “regular eye”. The 2011 X5 features full LED corona rings that serves as daylight runners as well. Subtle, but still noticeable is the new position of the fog lamps that have now been placed higher on the bumper to allow better light emitting when off-roading, or in darker conditions. And to continue following the lead of all new BMWs, the rear taillights are now available with two banks of LEDs, L-Shaped as seen in the other models.

The most important changes though can be found under the hood where the engines from the X6 SAC make a lateral move onto the X5 family. The times of naturally aspirated gasoline engines are long gone and turbocharged powerplants are back in business. The X5 comes to the North American market with two offerings, a choice between the 300 horsepower twin-scroll turbocharged model or a 400 horsepower twin-turbo V8.



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