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With an options list longer than a giraffe, you can easily double the price of an X5 before you even realise given the price of most of the extras. But there are a couple of options that are essential to ensuring a practical and comfortable X5. Firstly the Executive Package, which includes the aforementioned satellite navigation and reversing camera as well as a few other things for a lot loss than having them all fitted individually. And secondly the aluminium running boards. Anyone shorter than Yao Ming has to spend the extra $700 for these or every time you exit the vehicle you'll look ridiculous as you leap for the ground like a 4-year-old.

Now I would like to offer some consumer advice that most car reviewers can't because they haven't actually gone into a dealer and bought the car.

Here's what they don't tell you in the sales brochure: once you've signed your name on the dotted line agreeing to take the car or be shot by the head of BMW for wasting his time, a nice lady comes over to talk to you. In short, what she says to you is this:

"Congratulations on your new BMW sir/madam. By the way would like the windows tinted as well? You would. I'll just put you down for another $650 then. Oh, we also over a special coating that makes cleaning the vehicle much simpler, how about that as well? Excellent. Now for that well just need another two-and-a-half grand of your hard earned thank you sir/madam."

And just when you think that's where it ends, it doesn't.

The nice lady leaves, and the dealer who has been serving you returns.

"One more thing, do you intend on listening to an iPod in the car?”

“Yes.”

“Ok, because the iPod dock that's fitted is essentially useless unless you buy the adapter cable that only BMW makes for an extra $154".

However if you’re lucky and get a nice salesperson you may get it thrown in for free, so look for a dealer that appears friendly.

Despite its flaws, which can mostly be fixed if you willing to part with more money, the base model 2010 X5 is quite possibly the ultimate luxury SUV. With an unmatched combination of performance, handling and value-for-money, it would be very difficult to argue a case for choosing any of the competing vehicles in this price range.

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Pros - Excellent fuel economy, swift acceleration, glorious handling, better looking than alternative drives

Cons - It's a diesel so it still sounds like a tractor, long list of expensive non-standard equipment, lacking in off-road equipment