The BMW X5 is a midsize luxury CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) (J-segment in Europe) produced by BMW. The first generation of the X5, with the chassis code E53, made its debut in 1999. It was BMW's first SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), also known as "Four-by-Four" (4x4) in the UK, which featured 4WD all-wheel drive and was available with either manual or automatic transmission. In 2006 the second generation X5 was launched, known internally as the E70, featuring the torque-split capable xDrive all-wheel drive system mated to an automatic transmission, and in 2009 the X5 M performance variant was released as a 2010 model.
BMW branded the X5 as a Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) rather than an SUV, to emphasize its on-road ability despite its size. Like the Lexus RX 300, the X5 heralded the shift from light truck-based body-on-frame SUVs to crossovers underpinned by unibody car platforms that would come to fruition in the late 2000s. Among German luxury automakers, while the Mercedes-Benz M-Class had beaten the X5 to the market by a year, the X5 was the first to use a unibody chassis whereas the M-Class used a light truck platform until its second generation. While the Lexus RX is based on the Toyota Camry mass market sedan, the X5 shares its underpinnings with the BMW 5 Series performance luxury sedan.[1][2]
X5s are manufactured in Greer, South Carolina at the Spartanburg BMW plant and in Mexico at the BMW de México Toluca plant.[3] Since July 2009, some assembly operations are also performed in Kaliningrad, Russia by Avtotor.
Starting with the X5, BMW's Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) series has since expanded to be derivatives of other BMW number-series models, first in 2003 with the BMW X3 compact luxury crossover, and then in 2008 with the BMW X6 midsize coupe luxury crossover.

The BMW E70 is the second generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). It replaced the BMW X5 (E53) in November 2006. The second generation X5 features many new technological advancements including BMW's iDrive system as standard equipment and, for the first time in a BMW, an optional third row seat raising passenger capacity to seven. This generation incorporates safety innovations for the crossover segment, such as a unique rear framing section to protect 3rd row occupants from injury due to an impact.[citation needed]
The branding for the X5 from late 2008 onwards follows the new BMW nomenclature scheme, for example the X5 3.0i is now called the X5 xDrive30i, and the X5 4.8i is called the X5 xDrive48i.
In 2009, the xDrive35d diesel engine variant of the X5 was made available for sale in Canada and the United States, along with the BMW 335d sedan.[8]
The BMW X5 M high performance variant was introduced to the press at the New York Auto Show in April 2009, and started appearing in BMW dealerships in September 2009 as a 2010 model. Sharing the same powertrain as the BMW X6 M, the X5 M features the first M Power V-8 Turbo, 555 hp (414 kW) and 500 lb·ft (680 N·m) of torque, and comes with M Dynamic Performance Control for impressive handling.
The X5 received a mid-generational refresh for the 2011 model year featuring new front bumper and air intakes as well as a variety of minor cosmetic changes. For the gasoline-powered X5 models, the naturally aspirated engines in the xDrive30i and xDrive48i (N52 straight-6 and N62 V8) were replaced by turbocharged engines (N55 single-turbo straight-6, N63 twin-turbo V8) and which will also be mated to 8-speed automatic transmissions,[9] being rebadged as the xDrive35i and xDrive50i, respectively. The xDrive35i is almost as fast as the xDrive48i in a straight-line acceleration test.[10] The xDrive35d received the same exterior changes as the rest of the lineup but otherwise no other updates.[11]
On August 31, 2011, BMW recalled 2,120 units due to a defective fuel filter heater that can cause fire and battery drainage, even while the vehicle is non operational.[12]