Cargo Capacity of X5

[Penguin]

I'm rather surprised with the cargo capacity of the X5, spacewise.

I'm getting ready to go camping for the first time in my new X35d, and, to my surprise, discovered it's cargo capacity is significantly less than my 2005 Ford Focus wagon.

I found it hard to believe, so I measured it and, sure enough, while the X5 may weigh almost twice as much as my Focus, it has less cargo space, and the available space is less useful (the BMW rear seats lean backwards a lot, so it makes the rear space less usable with the rear seats up, and the rear window slants forward more, making the last foot or so of space unusable for taller items.)

So I went to check the vehicle specs and, sure enough, the X5 has 10-40% less cargo space than a Ford Focus Wagon:

Ford Focus: 73 cu. ft. seats down, 35 cu. ft. seats up
BMW X5: 61 cu. ft. seats down, 21 cu. ft. seats up.

Sorta surprising to me that I have to pack less if I take the X5 instead of the Focus...

[Armand]

That's interesting. I actually had the opposite experience. But I did not compare the dimensions.

I have a Sienna Minivan and we often remove the third row on long trips for the extra space. I was amazed last winter when for the first time we took the 35d on a ski trip. Everything we normally took with us in the minivan (for 4 people) fit in the back of the 35d and I even had a clear rear view. I opted for no third row. So I could use the space under the floor lid. I also have the winter option and used the ski bag.

[Weasel]

I used my X5 to car band equipment for my friends band many times, his girls mazda 6 sedan has much more room for guitar speaker cabs than the X5...! Crazy how that works out, I blame it on the height of the lower deck over the spare tire etc. and the low roof in the back by the tailgate.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Penguin

I'm rather surprised with the cargo capacity of the X5, spacewise.....

Sorta surprising to me that I have to pack less if I take the X5 instead of the Focus...

My experience was with the e53, not the e70, but when we had both vehicles, if I wanted to carry more I needed to take the X3, which not only had more cargo space, but had more usable space as well.

When BMW renamed their SUVs to be SAVs, there was a reason, and it was the missing utility. They didn't want to compete in that sector.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by JCL

When BMW renamed their SUVs to be SAVs, there was a reason, and it was the missing utility. They didn't want to compete in that sector.

Yeah, obviously I didn't do enough research prior to buying. I figured it would be significantly less than my Ford Explorer, but I really thought it would have at least as much cargo space as a Ford Focus.

My bad.

[zachp13]

I think the 21 cu. ft. is to the back of the third row of seats. With only the standard second row of seats the cargo area is more like 35 cu. ft.

[FSETH]

Yeah, X5's are not known to have a lot of cargo space compared to many other SUV's/wagons.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by Penguin

...
I'm getting ready to go camping for the first time in my new X35d, and, to my surprise, discovered it's cargo capacity is significantly less than my 2005 Ford Focus wagon.....

Camping out of an X5 35d. How plebeian.

Surely you realize that BMW designed your 35d w/6,000 lbs towing capacity so that you could tow your new limited edition AirStream Victorinox camper in style. That way there will be plenty of room in the cargo bay for your picnic hamper with the crystal, china, beluga caviar, etc. And of course the very overpriced BMW electric cooler for the chilled Dom Pérignon

Funf Dreisig

[Roadster]

the cargo space in my E61 was indeed bigger then the E70, but who cares
I just tell my wife to pack less...

but with our second son on its way, we have an Audi A4 Avant on order for the misses when we go on the move with 2 small kids and all their shabang... We first looked at the X1 but that's a big nono all the way: average cargo space, no way to put the baby-carrier in the back-seat (seatbelt too short) and very little space in the front for the passenger...)

[Mr.Impatient]

This thread is concerning me. I have two small kids and we usually pack one stroller and some toys, bags and stuff for weekend trips. Is there room enough in the back of a new X5? I had a rrange rover sport that carried everything no problem.