The volume controls were sometimes easier than reaching for the volume knob. Not that it still isn’t, to some degree, but I found myself kind of liking them after a while.

I was never sold on this when it first launched because it was awkward and gimmicky. If I held up two fingers, I could play or pause audio. If I tilted it back and went left, I would repeat one. If I made a thumbs up sign, tilted it sideways and swiped right, I would skip a track. When I pointed my finger in mid-air about halfway down the dash (in view of a small infrared camera), and rotated it clockwise or counter-clockwise, I raised and lowered the volume, respectively. The X5 has them, and they work far better now than they did before. For example, gesture controls were first added to the 7 Series a couple of years ago, only to be held back from other models. Connections and layoutīMW ultimately included different elements it had previously introduced in different models. The options are for one year or 20 years. The first 12 months come with the car, and after that, you have to subscribe again via BMW’s ConnectedDrive online. You get 3GB for the first three months (whichever expires first) and then go prepaid under the service AT&T offers for BMW ConnectedDrive.Īpple CarPlay is now included with the system from the factory, but you’ll have to pay for it following the first year. The in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and Qi wireless charging pad are included. Punctuating all that is the connectivity involved. If not those, then the steering wheel or voice control could help.

If not the wheel, there are buttons or gestures. If not touching the screen, there’s the wheel. Much of what’s inside the system is based on a hybrid approach. The 12.3-inch display is big, vibrant and responsive, should you want to lay a finger or two on it. The German automaker has flirted with touchscreens before but seems to be all in more often now. The ergonomics of everything inside is one aspect, but the other is in how the different pieces work together.Īs has been standard to this point, iDrive continues to function through the rotary dial and shortcut buttons surrounding it. It’s the sort of cabin you can drive in for long stretches and never feel really uncomfortable. The X5 features an elegant interior all around.

Idrive review 2019