The 2014 X5 arrives in three configurations; the X5 sDrive35i and X5 xDrive35i, powered by BMW's twin-turbo, 300-hp inline six, and one motivated by the thumping 445-hp twin-turbo V-8. The sDrive35i offers only rear-wheel-drive, a way for BMW to extend the X5's market to sunnier climes and lighter wallets. A few months after those models arrive this fall, a diesel-powered X5 xDrive35d will follow in early 2014 — all using BMW's eight-speed automatic, all expected to be somewhat more efficient than the outgoing model.

  On top of those models, the X5 can be further customized with various luxury trims or the M Sport packages, which add some of the visual aggression of a true M-variety BMW without the actual power.