The year 2006 doesn’t seem like it was that long ago, and yet in some ways, it feels like an eternity. The startling passage of time was recently put into perspective when a friend said that people born in the year 2000 are experiencing quarter-life crises. George W. Bush was still the President of the United States in 2006 and Shakira held the top of the charts that summer. MySpace was the most popular social networking website and most people were using flip phones. It was a simpler time.
BMW recently hosted an event where it brought out a veritable treasure trove of models from its three brands, BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce. While most in attendance sprinted to snag the key fobs of the latest and greatest, I immediately gravitated to the oldest vehicle in the parking lot.
The year 2006 was an exciting time for the SUV, or SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle), as BMW called it. Ford couldn’t build enough Explorers in the 1990s until they started blowing tires and flipping over.
Some manufacturers scrambled to build family haulers on light-duty truck chassis, while others designed and built new models from scratch. Today, a number of brands are scaling back production or stopping the sale of cars entirely to exclusively focus on SUVs and crossovers, truly showing how far we’ve come and how much the industry has changed.
The 2006 BMW X5 is still a good looking vehicle. The styling of the first-generation model, known as E53, is distinctive and has held up well over time. It’s equally sporty and rugged. And I may as well just say what we’re all thinking – the kidney shaped grilles were still a reasonable size back then.
A mid-cycle refresh added some subtle styling tweaks, as well as more features and power. Offered in a variety of inline six-cylinder and V8 powerplants, the 4.8is featured a V8 with variable valve timing. Packing a gnarly V8 and outfitted with 20-inch wheels mounted on high-performance rubber, you can think of it as the M equivalent of its day. The fiercest competition at the time would have come from the Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG, Infiniti FX45, and Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
Opening the door of the ’06 X5 is as refreshing as an ocean breeze. Unlike some of its modern counterparts, it has real door handles. Turning the key brings the 4.8L V8 to life, along with a big smile to my face.
The driving experience is pleasingly simple. The early to mid-2000s were a transition period for the automotive industry, during which technologies such as ABS (anti-lock brakes), DSC (dynamic stability control), satellite navigation, and speed-sensitive power steering were offered in the X5. Still in their infancy, they were more basic and conspicuous when activated. There is no backup camera or automatic emergency braking. No pings, dings, bings, or bongs from parking sensors or driver assistance systems. Remember when you used your mirrors and turned your head when parking? Ahh, memories.
The X5 was constructed in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which has built more than 6.5 million vehicles and recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Pulling onto the road, the X5 feels as sturdy as a Sherman tank as I cautiously ascended through the gears of the six-speed transmission. Compared to today's premium SUVs that feel increasingly like a luxury car with a raised ride height, the 2006 X5 feels more truck-like in its approach. This was commonplace at a time when SUVs were coming into their own. It still feels premium despite what we have now come to expect with standard equipment and amenities.
Weighing 2,275 kg (5,016 lb), it made 355 hp at 6,200 rpm and 369 Ib-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. The 4.8is offered more power and less weight than its 4.6is predecessor, allowing it to zip from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. Impressive for the time but quaint by today’s standards. By comparison, its contemporary counterpart, the X5 M, now packs a twin-turbocharged V8 paired with a mild-hybrid system that helps it churn out 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to hustle from naught to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. The original X5 would likely be a better all-around family hauler and grocery-getter since the new model is far more aggressive in its approach and demeanour.
The 2025 X5 M features a head-up display and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster along with an iDrive 8 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility through its 14.9-inch infotainment screen, which can be operated by hand, voice, or rotary controller.
None of this technology existed in the early aughts. I rejoiced once again when I discovered that the ’06 X5’s stereo and climate controls could be adjusted by, wait for it – real physical knobs. Controls simple enough that they can be operated in the dark with gloves on while driving are like an aphrodisiac for Canadians. I had goosebumps. Comfortable 12-way power-adjustable seats were offered, along with dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a heated steering wheel – all controls are easy to find and simple to operate. The interior feels minimalist but practical; everything is easily within reach and located where you expect it to be.
Shifts are relatively smooth when throttle inputs are soft, and the transmission rises to the occasion when the pedal is more briskly depressed towards the firewall, a sensation that increases with the selection of Sport mode. BMW was kind enough to include a selection of time-period-correct compact discs for the CD player, but I preferred the subtle rumble of the 4.8L V8 emanating from the rear tailpipes. BMW’s new sound system options are far superior, having honed in the technology to create an exceptional experience. Without the distraction of screens and smartphone connectivity, I found myself taking in my surroundings and becoming more immersed in the driving experience.
Exploring the highways and byways around the Spartanburg plant, the X5 clings to the winding South Carolina roads. Brake pedal responsiveness and feel are other areas where the modern counterpart shines, welcomed advancements, especially when there’s this much power on tap. Steering feels robust yet precise. Nary a rattle, creak, or perceivable imperfection can be found in the nearly two-decade-old SUV. It feels solid, sturdy, and capable. With just over 2,400 miles on the odometer, this is a very low-mileage and pristinely-kept example of an early X5 from a time when the nameplate was starting to push its boundaries into the performance SUV realm.
The only disappointing part of the drive was that it had to end. Reluctantly returning the vehicle, I was sad to turn off the eager and invigorating engine. The experience provided a gratifying glimpse into a formative time for the X5 and the SUV market as a whole. Who could have predicted the great heights the segment would reach today and how advanced the vehicles would become?
With everything we have gained, some things have been lost. While we are, in theory, more intrinsically linked to our vehicles than ever through infotainment, comfort features, and smartphone connectivity, we are also somehow less in tune with the simple act of visceral driving enjoyment. The fact that vehicles like this one have been preserved lets us go back to enjoy a less sophisticated but simpler time.
