There's no question who builds this vehicle. X5 is immediately recognizable as a BMW. It looks like a 5 Series wagon on steroids, and is remarkably close to the wagon in overall size. From its kidney-shaped grille to its multi-segmented tail lights, the curvy X5 is all BMW. The slope of the tailgate looks almost identical to that of the 5 Series wagon. The major difference is that the X5 is 10 inches taller than the 5 Series wagon, this taller stance being key to its sport-utility character. Large-diameter wheels with low-profile tires enhance its aggressive appearance.Surprisingly, the X5 is classed as a light-duty truck by the U.S. government. Most truck-based SUVs, including the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, are built with a separate body bolted onto a frame. X5, however, uses a monocoque body shell like that of a regular sedan. This unit-body construction provides a much stiffer structure, which improves handling, reduces noise and allows better fit and finish. The X5 is not the first monocoque SUV; Jeep pioneered the concept two decades ago with its Cherokee, a concept carried forward with the current Grand Cherokee. Lexus RX 330, Nissan Pathfinder, and the 2003 Range Rover, which BMW helped develop, all use a unit-body design as well. Because of the unit-body construction they share, the Lexus RX is the X5's closest competitor in terms of ride comfort and handling.
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