Give me a good reason why you call the X5 a "truck".

[jeremym]

You guys have seen the M3 UTE right?

M3 and M5 UTE pics: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/03/18/ex...tos-of-m5-ute/

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by BGM

To me a truck is a vehicle built on a truck platform.

Reasonable definition with which I would agree. But it does result in some odd changes, such as the Ford Explorer being a Truck until 2011, and not a truck since.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by JCL

It is never called an SAV, that is just so lame.

While I don't use the SAV nomenclature, I can see the logic, as the X5 is missing a lot of "Utility" as compared to most SUVs, e.g., my 2005 Focus Wagon has more cargo space than my 2010 X5, even though the X5 weights more than 5,000 lbs, and was much more of an off-road vehicle (ground clearance, protection plates under the vehicle, etc.). The X5, IMHO, does fall somewhere between a "real" SUV and a car... it seems to have a lot less "utility" than my prior 1992 Ford Explorer, but it does handle a lot better and is more fun to drive.

[JCL]

When ever anyone told me that my X5 SUV was an SAV, I suggested that that was only that BMW couldn't include a reference to utility due to the limited luggage space

My real objection to SAV is that it is a made-up word with no significance, pure marketing BS. An SUV is a recognized class of vehicle, although the boundaries are pretty fuzzy.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by StumpyPete

But then again truck is hardly used at all. Heavy Goods Vehicles are HGVs or Lorries.

I often heard artic, as in articulated lorries, just like we hear semi in North America.

[Quicksilver]

Of course SAV is a made up term. All manufactures looks for a way to distinguish
their vehicles from the rest of the herd. But wasn't their intention regarding the use of the
term to highlight the fact that the X series vehicles are not in the class of the run of the mill SUV'S?
That's why people are always bragging about the handling, performance, and braking difference found
in the X series vehicles vs the common SUV.

In all the time I have owned the X no one has ever called it a truck, or an SUV, and they haven't called it an SAV either.
It's always been called either a BMW or an X5. I guess in some way people know the X isn't a run of the mill SUV.
But in the final analysis it really makes no difference what people call it. I'm still having fun driving it.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Of course SAV is a made up term. All manufactures looks for a way to distinguish their vehicles from the rest of the herd. But wasn't their intention regarding the use of the term to highlight the fact that the X series vehicles are not in the class of the run of the mill SUV'S?

Precisely.

BMW was worried that manufacturing and selling an "SUV" would hurt their image as a performance brand selling "Ultimate Driving Machines." So they made-up a new term in an attempt to minimize any damage to the brand image.

[soldmystang]

if the IRS would have just included the 535iT i would not have ever met any of you fine folk.

damn shame actually.

[JCL]

If my dealer could have ordered an E39 touring without a sunroof (thus providing sufficient headroom), then same here. I didn't want or need AWD after having owned many trucks and SUVs.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Of course SAV is a made up term. All manufacturers look for a way to distinguish
their vehicles from the rest of the herd. But wasn't their intention regarding the use of the
term to highlight the fact that the X series vehicles are not in the class of the run of the mill SUV'S?

I think they were equally looking for a way to distinguish it from the E39 touring it is based on, because North Americans don't like station wagons. That allowed them to sell a heavier, slower, worse handling vehicle at a higher profit margin. Classic marketing; if you are going to lose a comparison then establish a different competitor, in this case an SUV. But don't call it an SUV because you may lose that comparison in the off-road categories.

My issue isn't actually isn't with the X5 which is a pretty good vehicle. It is with all those that pretend they aren't driving a tall station wagon.