2011 X3 vs X5 interior dimensions

Does anyone know how the interior dimensions of the two compare. Specifically, the width and depth of the cargo area with the rear seats up (assuming no 3rd row in the X5) and the distance from the seat back on the second row to the A pillar. Basically I want to know how much extra space and utility I would gain by going with the current X5.

anyone? I am puzzled that the apparently much larger and heavier X5 appears to offer almost no additional space aside from a little width.

Go to bmwusa.com and you can pull up dimensions of both vehicles

The information is incomplete. It gives exterior dimensions but very little detail about the interior.

Originally Posted by adgrant

The information is incomplete. It gives exterior dimensions but very little detail about the interior.

I remember seeing a slide that had all 3 cars with dimensions in different colors (X1, 3, 5). This included interior dimensions. I think it was at the Paris Auto show.

Originally Posted by X3forlife

I remember seeing a slide that had all 3 cars with dimensions in different colors (X1, 3, 5). This included interior dimensions. I think it was at the Paris Auto show.

Here's one, courtesy of LeMans from XOutpost...
GL, mD

By almost any measure, you will gain space and comfort in the X5. However, pure numbers don't tell the whole story. I strongly suggest you sit in both and see which one suits you better.

I have sat in the X5. Hard to sit in the X3 right now.

Originally Posted by adgrant

I have sat in the X5. Hard to sit in the X3 right now.

According to recent posts, they're in some dealerships already.

Originally Posted by HT417

According to recent posts, they're in some dealerships already.

X5 is defintely a larger plusher interior. I drove a M class X5 a while back and although I didn't get to drive the new X3 I was able to sit in it.

More room than the old X3 but certainly not an X5.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

X5 is defintely a larger plusher interior. I drove a M class X5 a while back and although I didn't get to drive the new X3 I was able to sit in it.

More room than the old X3 but certainly not an X5.

That's one of the reasons I just can't go back. Being 6'2" doesn't help either. Not to mention the fact that our older relatives have a much easier time with the X5. Another plus is the tailgate which keeps round items and full loads from spilling out when you open the hatch. Especially on hills.

I'd love the additional torque from a turbo or diesel motor, particularly at speeds over 100mph on hills, but for 90+% of my driving the lowly 3.0 is surprisingly more than adequate and provides an acceptable amount of fun for a 4900lb. vehicle.

Originally Posted by HT417

That's one of the reasons I just can't go back. Being 6'2" doesn't help either. Not to mention the fact that our older relatives have a much easier time with the X5. Another plus is the tailgate which keeps round items and full loads from spilling out when you open the hatch. Especially on hills.

I'd love the additional torque from a turbo or diesel motor, particularly at speeds over 100mph on hills, but for 90+% of my driving the lowly 3.0 is surprisingly more than adequate and provides an acceptable amount of fun for a 4900lb. vehicle.

Just get the M class one I drove and your set

Watched a lady open the hatch of her X3 in a parking lot and about 5 bottles rolled out and several broke. Would have stopped to help but was in the wrong lane and the light turned green. Felt bad for her but it reinforced my resolve to never get another vechicle without a split rear hatch!

Originally Posted by UncleJ

Watched a lady open the hatch of her X3 in a parking lot and about 5 bottles rolled out and several broke. Would have stopped to help but was in the wrong lane and the light turned green. Felt bad for her but it reinforced my resolve to never get another vechicle without a split rear hatch!

Please kindly explain what a "split rear hatch" is. Does that mean the wondow rolls down without opening the door?

Next time I'm going to get things to make the cargo area more useful including the ground net to hold things down and the grocery bag holder (2 of them). IMO, they should have been welded into the sidewalls as standard.

Originally Posted by X3forlife

Please kindly explain what a "split rear hatch" is. Does that mean the wondow rolls down without opening the door?

Next time I'm going to get things to make the cargo area more useful including the ground net to hold things down and the grocery bag holder (2 of them). IMO, they should have been welded into the sidewalls as standard.

The X5 has a split hatch, meaning it has a tailgate piece and a second piece that is the hatch that raises up. The tailgate piece opens separately. It is a nice feature that you don't see alot in this midsize class of trucks.

Originally Posted by X3forlife

Please kindly explain what a "split rear hatch" is. Does that mean the wondow rolls down without opening the door?

Not in this case. The main hatch opens upwards like any other SUV and then there is another piece that folds down over the rear bumper. Makes loading easier and stops stuff rolling out.

In many the window opens up seperate from the hatch allowing you to reach in and place and remove things without having to open the door itself (and keeping things from rolling out). The GM's have this as do some of the others as well. In a Tahoe for example the hatch window goes up and the door goes down allowing a great tailgate/seat. Very useful to have.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

In many the window opens up seperate from the hatch allowing you to reach in and place and remove things without having to open the door itself (and keeping things from rolling out). The GM's have this as do some of the others as well. In a Tahoe for example the hatch window goes up and the door goes down allowing a great tailgate/seat. Very useful to have.

I like the X5 (and Volvo XC90) approach much better. The lower hatch just sticks out enough to clear the bumper.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

Just get the M class one I drove and your set

If I could just get BMW to spring for first few tickets while I "adjust" to the new throttle response, then I can start to dream. ; - P

Originally Posted by adgrant

I like the X5 (and Volvo XC90) approach much better. The lower hatch just sticks out enough to clear the bumper.

That is useful too! Anything that keeps stuff from falling out when parked on an inline is great.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

That is useful too! Anything that keeps stuff from falling out when parked on an inline is great.

Not to mention it can support 350lbs. and makes a great impromptu seat or shelf.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

That is useful too! Anything that keeps stuff from falling out when parked on an inline is great.

I think you misread my post. I prefer the X5 tailgate to one that splits 50/50.

No, the Volvo hatch also splits with the top 2/3 going up and the bottom third going down for a shelf (as does the X5). Perhaps I wasn't clear in my response, but that was what I was thinking -- anything that keeps "stuff" inside whilst parked on an incline is what I want.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

No, the Volvo hatch also splits with the top 2/3 going up and the bottom third going down for a shelf (as does the X5). Perhaps I wasn't clear in my response, but that was what I was thinking -- anything that keeps "stuff" inside whilst parked on an incline is what I want.

I know, that's what I said in my original post "I like the X5 (and Volvo XC90) approach much better"

Yes, thats what you said. A split hatch/opening window is a better way for rear hatch openings than the whole door swinging up, or (as in Lexus and others) the door swinging out (to the "wrong" side), hindering unloading at the curb and airports. Too bad the new X3 didn't adopt the same hatch as the big brother X5.