BMW's X5 has been one of the great successes of the 4x4 market. NEILL BARSTON headed Stateside to test the latest model.

After learning that George Clooney and Renee Zellweger are staying at our South Carolina hotel, I can't help but wonder what they would make of the new X5.

While it could hardly expect to measure up to the former caped crusader's Batmobile, you could easily imagine the movie pairing in blinged-up dark-tinted window model.

But alas, I am unable to locate them in the ever so pleasant environs of downtown Greenville for an impromptu vox pop, so I am left to form an opinion of my own.

As the gateway to the Southern States, Carolina’s rolling farmland is prime pick up truck territory- just perfect for the weighty X5.

At least that seems the case as we pass by a wealth of Baptist churches and utility vehicle infested timber homes sporting US flags fluttering in the winter sun.

Though our designated route seems eerily deserted, the substantial new BMW X5 at our disposal feels right at home as we head up into the hills.

Making light work of the terrain we come across a bewildering orange highway sign on the central reservation. Its apparent warning message of "The Wrong Way" would make our native road-markings seem the paragon of clarity.

But to my mind, whichever direction you go in the X5, you are destined for a superb drive.

Such was the strength of its original design eight years ago that its latest incarnation has required little if any stylistic tinkering from previous generations.

Strictly speaking, this versatile 4x4 has a classification all of its own, as an SUV or sports utility vehicle.

While some may be suspicious of such new-fangled terminology, it comfortably treads the line between being a functional on road car and possessing some credible off-road ability.

Pitched with a price tag of either £40,120 for the 3.0 litre diesel model or £49,980 for the petrol variant you might well argue that it ought to be all singing, all dancing.

One of the key components to arrive in the latest models comes with its enhanced on-road handling. It has been engineered with a double wishbone front suspension normally found on high performance cars that makes for an incredibly smooth ride.

This was easily evident as we easily wended our way through some back roads and muddy hillside tracks. This incredibly robust car with its imposing 19 inch wheels positively ate up everything that we throw at it.

Following a brief break to sample some South Carolina style cuisine, its back in the X5 saddle. I will have to admit that as a single guy, this is not the kind of car I would opt for myself but it is undeniably pleasing on the eye.

Its high-grade leather and walnut interiors are at least the equal of those within the saloon range. The dash is typically minimal with large, clear dials boosted by a Heads Up Display of speed and other stats which were once merely the domain of jet fighters.

Improvements with its gearstick are also readily apparent. Its six speed transmit ion can either operate in full auto mode, or is easily switchable into semi-automatic or fully manual system that offers a real challenge.

Even the more adventurous driver opting for its sports mode in which the advanced Dynamic Stability Control traction system is disengaged, will find its comparatively nimble handling highly commendable.

The 4.8 model has a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds (as against the diesel’s far from sluggish 8.3 seconds, with the latter proving the most popular model in the UK (with an incredible 90 percent of buyers now opting for diesel). This is most logically put down to its better fuel economy (25.9mpg compared to the petrol’s tank-sapping 22.6mpg. That would be one of the very few things which may sound a note of alarm in some potential buyers with this excellent car.

In terms of practicality, the car scores highly for being spacious offering plenty of leg and head room, aided by a slight increase in the wheelbase size of the car. The boot space has also been upped to offer a generous 1750litres.

Feedback from those with larger families has lead to a seven seat option becoming available. While only able to accommodate children, the third row of seats is at least well thought out and not like a fiendish Rubix cube in the complexity of its access.

There are many smart little touches which make this a stand-out vehicle including active steering that assists parking along with a dash display of reverse parking that should hopefully eliminate any minor prangs.

I have even more or less come round to its I-drive computer system. This is housed in a sensible central dash location controlling sat nav and other on-board variables.

Perhaps the biggest question remains- just how good are its off-road capabilities? To be fair, it sails round the marque's test facility at Spartanburg.

Water, 32 degree slopes and a nasty hill all lie in wait for me, yet the car puts up very little resistance. As with the Range Rover, there is a hill descent mode where the vehicle in fact drives itself down a slope with its technical wizardry - a very odd but incredible experience. So to is the slippery skid pan track which proves the sure-footedness of this beast.

Safety is as ever a key priority with responsive brakes, six airbags, run-flat tyres (allowing 150 miles driving on a puncture) fitted as standard.

All in all, if the X5 can cope with some fairly testing terrain in America, then it’s a safe bet that it will cope just fine with conditions in Britain. Stylish, practical and a strong performer, there is plenty of life left in BMW's major league player.