As a gal who's always been true to crossovers, I've often endured heavy sighs and a tinge of attitude from my husband — Mr. Driving Enthusiast — when I ask that we take my car out and about on the weekends. It's an area in which we've always differed. He wants to drive tiny cars that can zip around town and handle like they're on a racetrack. I want to ride in comfort while I look above and beyond all the aforementioned tiny cars on the road. The 2012 BMW X5 could be the answer to our split driving personalities.

With its fantastic family utility and stylish looks, the 2012 BMW X5 offers a driving experience that can't be matched by another crossover.

BMW brings some stiff competition to the land of SUVs with the X5. As someone who usually glosses over the performance specs on a car's window sticker, even I couldn't deny the allure of BMW's German engineering.

Its precision handling and acute responsiveness quickly spoiled me, and for the first time, I realized what it truly felt like to drive and be one with the road. Even sweeter was that I didn't have to sacrifice a thing for this experience while hauling my family (and tons of stuff) along with me.

Admittedly, this fusion of function and fun doesn't come cheap. The 2012 X5 has a starting MSRP of $47,500. My test car, an X5 xDrive35i Premium trim with BMW's Convenience Package, cost $67,875.

• EXTERIOR
• SENSE AND STYLE
• INTERIOR
• SAFETY