[jad03060]

Inline engines tend to force a longer hood when you add in the crumple zones, so that is part of the reason why the cabin tends to be smaller. Now, a well designed EV can have some amazing room in the cabin without a gas tank or engine involved. For many, the current state of batteries and charging infrastructure has too many issues for me for my long-range vehicle. Better days are coming…battery tech keeps improving.

[aussieintexas]

Originally Posted by jad03060

Renting a larger vehicle for trips can work, but the cost can start to go up. If you have a rear hitch, you might consider a swing-away rear storage box. Lots of companies make them in various sizes and price points. https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo...ima/Y74ZR.html Is one that can hold quite a bit of stuff and is one of the larger ones out there.

A roof-top one likely wouldn’t hold as much, will be a fuel efficiency hit whenever attached, and can add a level of wind noise. I’ve carried stuff behind before, and it does not seem to be a noticeable hit on efficiency. You have to be careful when backing up and it may obstruct the rear camera, so there are some downsides to it.

For sale by the way https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2079895
😉

[SteVTEC]

Chevy Suburban owner checking in, 2018/K2xx gen.

It's neither sexy nor pretty, but with Magnetic ride on 285/45R22 Michelins it handles amazingly well and has shocked more than a few Honda and BMW drivers. It even has a 50/50 weight distribution believe it or not. With the 5.3L and 3.42 gearing (optional) it's quick enough for what it is, and only needs regular grade fuel. 23-24 mpg highway is achievable on road trips.

We were a family of 4 (kids are 15 & 17 now). Our E70 X5 was the biggest vehicle we were ever going to need, but then had to takeover the care of a disabled extended family member, which required a bigger house. Then we got a dog, and then got another dog, so yeah. The disabled family member currently has other living arrangements so not with us at the moment, and are back to being a family of 4 + 2 dogs.

We love it. It's been from the DC area down to Florida and back at least a half dozen times now, and also out to the Midwest a few times as well. Fantastic road trip machine, quiet, comfortable, powerful A/C in the summer, and not inefficient by any means. It drives way smaller than it is, but you definitely need to have good spatial awareness to drive one.

I swear our G05 is smaller than our E70 was. The 2nd row does feel cramped. Never felt that way about our E70, but I think they trimmed it down to make room for the X7 in the lineup. Crazy thing is, even with 4 adult sized humans and 2 dogs, the X7 still isn't big enough for us if we want to go overnight anywhere, because of no cargo space with the 3rd row up. I need room for 3 rows of passengers including canine, but still have room for cargo space for road trips, luggage, gear, dog crates, etc.

If you're in that camp, it's still pretty much only a full-sized SUV or a minivan that will have you covered. These days without our extra family member I could probably get by with the current T1xx Tahoe, but my wife still manages to find ways to pack the Suburban full, so might as well stick with it.

[tooloud10]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

The Edge is just a wonderfully packaged vehicle. Comfortable, spacious, efficient, fun to drive, high quality... Real miss for Ford to get rid of it.

Yeah, overall my Edge wasn’t a bad car and dare I say that it handled better than my (air suspension) 45e?

Probably has something to do with the Edge weighing 1700 lbs (!) less than my 45e.

[TVJ1200]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

This is the (smaller) X3 as reference with the front seat set to my seat I my position, and most importantly not touching the center rear facing car seat.

Unless the usable space is somehow different, I would imagine/hope the X5 should provide more.

bocabimmer Thanks for sharing this picture. I have a carseat in my X5 and my kid loves to kick the back of the front seat. I noticed the cover you put in on the back of your passenger seat. What product did you use?

[Theruleslawyer]

The x5 feels like a very different car than the x3. The x5 I feel like I'm riding on top of the car. A more traditional truck feel. The x3 I felt like I was in the car, more sedan like cockpit. While the x5 handles well for a car of its size, the x3 was noticeably lighter on its feet. The x5 feels substantially bigger both driving and parking. If you go a lot of places with tight parking in the city that might be a consideration.

Ultimately I went x5 for a few reasons- 1) The towing capacity. I need to be able to haul my race car on occasion. The x3 is below the minimum that you can rent a car hauler. 2) The b58 is more obtainable. I really didn't want a 4 cylinder car and the b58 is an amazing engine. There is the m40i of course but they are rarer and I found I had to be way more careful about option packages when looking. 3) The cabin of the x5 is just a nicer place to be. A bit more spacious. A bit more luxurious. Better standard equipment.

[bocabimmer]

Originally Posted by TVJ1200

bocabimmer Thanks for sharing this picture. I have a carseat in my X5 and my kid loves to kick the back of the front seat. I noticed the cover you put in on the back of your passenger seat. What product did you use?

https://a.co/d/7xKopPb

I’ve been using it now for 3 years and it’s still holding up good.

[dwwStL]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

I have three kids in the back of my X3 right now… all in car seats (forward, rear, forward)....

3 kids all in car seats? Vaya Con Dios

If cost is not an issue, I'd think moving to the X5 would be a no brainer.

[bocabimmer]

Originally Posted by dwwStL

3 kids all in car seats? Vaya Con Dios

If cost is not an issue, I'd think moving to the X5 would be a no brainer.

I’m up to 4 now! The X3 has been just fine for 3, but obviously the math isn’t adding up anymore if I want to take everyone. I’m eyeing an X5 w/ 3rd row right now… biggest challenge is selling my car and finding the right X5 used (obviously).

My other car is an Expedition Max so the BMW doesn’t ever have to any of the heavy lifting or dirty work. Do I need the X5? Not necessarily but it is nice in case the Fix Or Repair Daily is in the shop.

[dwwStL]

These things are all very subjective. For me, the only reason to go with an X3 over and X5 is costs. I think the X5 is sized perfectly and I don't have any kids. But some just do not like the larger size. Physically smaller is better, parking, etc. I'm not impressed by the handling argument because the X5 is a joy to drive.

It's a personal decision. If you have something larger, than maybe the X3 remains the right choice for you. There are better things to spend money on than cars, but I like cars