coming 30 mpg X5?
 

With the mandated changes, what will the X5 look like in 2016?

We will have 3rd Gen X5 in fall 2013 as 2014 model. That means the next gen X5 has to be in compliance with these changes.

You may not have to wait that long. Last year at the Genera Motor Show BMW showed a diesel/electric hybrid X5 that promises 36mpg(US). There's some suggestion that it will be in production within 12 months. In Australia you can already buy a diesel X3 that gets 35mpg(US) on the EC combined-cycle test.

I hope there'll be great incentive to trade in / sell our existing vehicles at that time. Double the mileage? Yes please.

They still haven't passed that cash for clunkers or guzzlers proposals yet: http://www.carbuyingnews.com/uncateg...rs-tax-rebate/

It will surely drop the values of all current vehicles too of course.

BMW and GM were jointly developing the hybrid system that is currently in the Tahoe since 2006. I don't know if they're still collaborating on it... Daimler/Chrysler was involved too.

I am wondering how much we will have to give up in terms of power and size. I use my X5 for two trips each year that cover about 4K miles.

Unlike most of my friends in Europe, they don't have to drive the same amount of territory for the sake of their work. It is one thing to commute to work or visit family 200 miles away, but it is another thing to be on the open USA interstate fighting for a slot on the open road.

So will better fuel economy mean these kinds of loses? I went from a sedan to an SUV because I needed cargo space and wanted to protect my family.

If you want to protect your family, may I suggest a 5 series? SUV/SAV's are more prone to rollovers in accidents, often resulting in catastrophic injuries. As for cargo space, I agree that the X5 has a bit more, but if you are taking the family with you and don't fold the seats flat, how much more space do you really need? I'm stuck between a 5 series and an X5 myself!

If you want space and protect your family, 5 series will not do, but a minivan will.... Admit it, you just dont like to drive an Odyssey :)

My 'family' is a spouse and a dog so the back seat goes down on long trips ... my work is with Archives so boxes and odd shaped things that don't fit in sedans ... also rare stuff that has to be protected at all costs which has meant my stuff on top ... not a slow driver so got to have a beast made for the Autobahn ...

If we go hybrid, power would be the least of our concerns; the hybrid vehicle would actually be faster than an NA, all gasoline vehicle. Same thing with diesel being more torquey. The problem would be with designing a hybrid system that has good 4WD/AWD capabilities...it's all in the design of the software, which would be an extremely complex job for such tasks.

I say give us a hybrid/diesel X5 and that thing would have GOBS of torque and amazing fuel economy!