2014 BMW X5 xDrive50i

The 2014 X5 is BMW's mid-size luxury SUV, the one most people cross-shop with the Mercedes-Benz ML and Audi Q7. It's a heavy SUV that hides its weight well, feeling planted and stable at highway speeds. The cabin is comfortable and upscale, with plenty of rear legroom, though the optional third row is best left to small kids. Some owners have dealt with air conditioning and electrical gremlins, and the run-flat tires are a recurring expense. The xDrive50i is the one to get if you want the X5's biggest engine and don't mind the fuel bill; the xDrive35i is the sensible choice. Its 4.4L V8 makes 445 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, paired with a eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive that gets it to 60 mph in the low four-second range. Fuel economy comes in at 17 mpg combined, which is the trade for having this much power on tap.