• Not yet rated by Euro NCAP
• Host of standard and optional safety kit
• Security of xDrive on almost all X5s

With the previous-generation BMW X5 safety record of five Euro NCAP stars we’d expect this model to match this rating, and better it in terms of individual achievements – if the organisation decides to crash test it, that is.

Ignore the host of airbags and impact resistant structures – equipment that is commonplace across the whole car industry – for a moment and you’ll realise the BMW X5 is packing plenty of clever safety kit.

The main focus is Driving Assistant Plus, which incorporates Lane Departure Warning to keep you in between a lane’s white lines, Forward Collision Warning and City Collision Mitigation to reduce the chance of rear-ending a slower moving or stationary car, and adaptive cruise control with a stop/start function.

As standard you’ll find xenon lights to improve the driver’s vision in the dark while the rain and light sensors will turn the wipers and headlights on automatically when required.

Should the worst happen, in the event of an accident the BMW Emergency Call system will automatically alert the relevant services to your location. For less serious incidents the system can be manually operated via a button in the overhead console.

Optionally owners can specify Adaptive LED headlights, Night Vision with animal and pedestrian recognition, a full colour head-up display (HUD), glare-free automatic main-beam that bends light around other road users rather than directly into their field of vision, and Surround View cameras offer a wider viewpoint around the vehicle than before.

And while other Park Assist programs often require the driver to operate the pedals, the X5 offers a fully automated service that will park the car for you without any occupant input into the pedals or steering wheel.

How many Isofix car seats can I fit in a BMW X5 SUV?

You’ll be able to install two Isofix child seats in the X5 – one on each of the outer rear seats. There’s no option to add one to the front passenger seat or the extra-pair of chairs in the seven-seater version.

• Lots of space for five occupants
• Pair of additional seats optionally available
• Boot space is generous and flexible

As standard the BMW X5 comes with five seats, but practicality can be boosted with the addition of an extra pair in the boot, turning it into a seven-seater.

Access to the rearmost row is improved with the Easy Entry function that sees the middle seats tumble forward, while the handgrip on the pillar allows occupants to pull themselves into the car.

It’s a big car so it’s no surprise that occupant space is on the generous side – both up front and for those sitting behind a tall driver – and there’s plenty of head-, shoulder- and legroom available.

There’s also plenty of storage with doorbins of a decent size, a deep cubby under the front armrest, a pair of cupholders at the base of the centre console and usefully sized glovebox.

With the seats in place the boot is understandably small, but when the seats are not in use they slide neatly into the floor and out of sight. Order your X5 without the extra pair of seats and boot space is 650 litres with the middle row in place and 1,870 litres when folded.

That’s an increase of 30 and 120 litres respectively over the previous-generation car, and the middle bench splits in a 40/20/40 configuration for maximum flexibility.

Anything different with the xDrive40e plug-in hybrid?

The plug-in hybrid X5 has a smaller boot to make way for its batteries, with the space on offer dropping by 150 litres regardless of whether the rear seats are folded or up.

By picking the plug-in you also eschew the option of that final row of seats – the BMW X5 xDrive40e is five-seat only.