BMW X5 - E53 (2000 to 2006)

The first generation of BMW X5 was known as the E53. Introduced for the 2000 model year, the E53 was BMW's first SUV. The X5 benefited greatly from knowledge and parts from Land Rover, who BMW acquired in 1994. Yet the emphasis for the new X5 was to be a capable on road car, with nearly 2/3 of the car's power going to the rear wheels. The most notable variants of the first generation X5 are the 4.4i and the 4.8is. Built until 2006, the E53 was replaced by the E70 for the 2007 model year.