There are many things to like about the X5 such as its exterior design, size and handling. There are a couple of things to love about the X5 such as its stonking V8 power. And there is at least one thing to hate about the X5: Its standard pant-dirtying rocker panels.
For whatever reason, BMW grafted onto the SAV's rockers a gray plastic shelf that is exceptionally good at collecting dirt, slush and mud and then delivering them to your left pant-leg as you try to exit the vehicle. In this way, the X5 is the anti-Ford Flex, which not only doesn't force you to leap out of the vehicle but keeps any potential contact area clean.
Not a deal breaker, I suppose. Still, a guy likes clean pants.
--Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit at 25,087 miles
firstwagon says:
12:28 PM, 01/20/09
I've always hated running boards for the same reason.
omfg says:
12:30 PM, 01/20/09
Needs more Ford Flex
canadaphant says:
12:36 PM, 01/20/09
With that headline, I expected a much different blog entry.
zcalvert says:
01:13 PM, 01/20/09
Perfectly valid point.
However, I'd point out that on a tall vehicle like this, the doors that wrap underneath the body add visual height to the car (see Mazda CX-9). The visual trade-off isn't as severe on the Flex.
I guess the choice is between better looking car or better looking pants leg...
MS3lvr92 says:
04:59 PM, 01/20/09
BMW should ditch the plastic panels or have them as an option (or painted ones as an option). This would make the car look better, It's not like I'm gonna take it offroad.
billt9 says:
05:27 PM, 01/20/09
In that sense the Toyota Venza is a pretty direct competition to the Flex, as the Venza also features rocker-free doors, and a lower crossover stance.
Lowered crossovers with chair-like seating position (tall wagons), with full height doors are the wave of the future!
kurtamaxxxguy says:
09:21 PM, 01/20/09
The '09 Forester has similar but much narrower fore-aft horizontal rocker strip not covered by the doors.
In severe winter driving, slush can build up on that narrow shelf so you'll need to be careful getting in or out.
Not as bad as BMW shown here, though.