[Josh (PA)]

We've had the car for a couple of weeks now and been able to identify its pros and cons. It isn't a bad platform, but the hatchback takes away so much utility that it isn't a viable option to replace the x5. It's really a shame that BMW didn't use this platform and engine for the 3 wagon, that car would have been really good.

Pros:
The engine with the PPK is excellent and the car is very, very quick.

When the comfort/sport button is in sport and the transmission is in regular drive (not sport drive) the car launches smoothly without any of the delay or harsh over throttle of the x5. In the other modes it is either too jumpy or too mushy, but at least there is a configuration that i can drive smoothly in. I still hate driving the X5 because I can never get a smooth launch.

It rides well even with run-flats and is plenty capable for a daily driver.

The back seat is great for 2 adults. Excellent leg room and head room. The car is noticeably less wide than the X5, so I think three across would be snug, but the added legroom over the regular three is noticeable.

The interior layout is good and the front seats (M-Sport) are very comfortable and BMW familiar. It has a lot of new tech over the 2013 car, most of which is well configured, easy to use and convenient.

Cons:
The hatchback is stupid...stupid, stupid, stupid. It does nothing better than a wagon back end and gains very little over the sedan. Last weekend we had the dog and two kids going up to the lake and there was no choice but to take the X5. I personally think the sloping rear end looks worse than either the sedan or wagon variants as well.

The electric steering is light, but still very quick off center. It is much more susceptible to minor twitches compared to all my 'old' BMWs where the steering weight required more intentional inputs. It doesn't have much feedback. I didn't miss that too much at first because the chassis still communicates well, but the more I drive the more I sense the numbness.

Overall:
My wife is enjoying it as a daily driver and likes it much more than the X5. She is still getting used to the sight lines and thinks it has much worse blindspots, but I haven't had an issue getting mirrors adjusted properly. If the lease turn in goes well, it will have been a good deal for us.

I was hoping it would do 'wagon duty' and give us an option to dump the x5 and keep this at the end of term, but that's just not going to happen.

* And just for the record, the M badge was removed immediately upon getting it home.