2015 X3/ X5 5.0 Opinions on Handling

[farbton]

I currently have a 2012 X5 5.0 with the dynamic handling package. Makes the handling tight and nimble, even for a large vehicle. My lease is up in November and need to look at options. Yesterday I test drove the following:

2015 X5 3.5 Xline - Dealer did not have a 5.0 on hand. 3.5 power was ok but nothing to write home about. Interior improvements are fantastic. However without the dynamic handling this vehicle leaned a lot in the turns. So much to the point that I would tag this a "mom's" car and stay away. Ride was very smooth, but as much as I wanted to like it I could not due to the cushy ride.

2015 X3 3.5 M Sport - I don't think I stopped smiling the entire test drive. Felt like a kid driving this thing. Fast, nimble, just a lot of fun (over 500 lbs lighter than the X5 and it showed). Interior not quite up to the X5 level, no ventilated seats, and you could notice subtle areas of the overall fit/finish that were not up to the X5 level.

The question I have to anyone is will the X5 5.0 with dynamic handling and 20" wheels make up for my perceived deficiencies in the handling of the 3.5 that I drove. I know the power of the 5.0 will be sufficient, just not sure if BMW has just designated this as a highway cruiser and nothing will get the handling where I want it. Thanks for any feedback