The 2007 BMW X5 sport utility vehicle picked up 7.4 inches this year, most of it going toward more cabin room. Engine choices are a 4.8-liter V8 (350 horsepower) or a 3-liter inline 6 (260 horsepower.) Look for wishbone front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and the first use of a gear selector (controlled electronically) on an X5. Put it all together and you have an exceptionally deft handling SUV with excellent road hugging capability.

This is the seventh year BMW has fielded the X5 and frankly the overall appearance just hasn't changed that much. Most of the visible improvements are inside the cabin where both shoulder and leg room have made good gains (1.2 inches for your legs.) The driver enjoys power seats with ten levels of adjustment and the audio system plays over twelve speakers to keep your passengers happy on those long road trips.

Long story short, the X5 hit the market as a luxury SUV and it's still a luxury SUV, with all the safety and technology bells and whistles you'd expect from this automaker. The 2007 BMW X5 is a worthy next generation in a proven line of excellent performers. You'll drop between $45,900 and $54,500 depending on trim level, but you'll get top value for every dollar spent.