Luxury SUV drivers rejoice: the BMW X5 is back for 2017. Long one of the most versatile cars in BMW's stable, the X5 provides a combination of luxury, performance, and utility few others can match.

The X5 returns for 2017 with a few minor tweaks. The most notable of these is the inclusion of the xLine trim package as standard equipment. All versions of the X5 will also be available with a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless phone charging.

The X5 seats 7 and sports 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space (66 with the seats down) on gasoline and diesel trims, with the hybrid version offering seating for 5 and 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space (60.7 with the seats down)—plenty of room to load up some friends and gear and take off on an adventure.

Under the hood, the X5 offers several choices of engine. If you're looking for a gasoline power, there's a 3.0-liter 300-hp 6-cylinder pumping out 300 lb-ft of torque or a 4.4-liter 445-hp 8-cylinder sending 480 lb-ft of torque to the pavement. Those looking for a diesel engine will be happy to know the X5 will be available with a 3.0-liter 255-hp 6-cylinder diesel engine putting out 413 lb-ft of torque. If none of these options float your boat and you'd really prefer a plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid, BMW has you covered with a 2.0-liter 308-hp 4-cylinder with 19 miles of all-electric range. With the 3.0-liter gasoline engine, you can expect to see fuel-economy numbers of up to 18 mpg city/25 highway/21 combined. Those become 15/21/17 with the 4.4-liter 8-cylinder and 23/30/26 with the diesel. Opt for the hybrid and you can expect 56 MPGe combined in hybrid mode and 24 mpg combined in gas-only mode. All versions send power to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Choose the 3.0-liter gasoline engine and you'll get 2 trims to choose from—the sDrive35i and xDrive35i. The main difference between the pair is the sDrive35i is rear-wheel-drive and the xDrive35i is all-wheel-drive. Inside, you'll find standard heated 14-way power front seats and SensaTec upholstery. Other standard equipment includes a power moonroof, automatic start/stop, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. As with all BMWs, there is a plethora of optional equipment available, including park assist, navigation, leather seats, and night vision.

Upgrade to the 4.4-liter 8-cylinder and you'll step into the seriously luxurious xDrive50i—equipped with leather upholstery, heated front seats, wood trim, ambience lighting, a Harman Kardon 16-speaker sound system, navigation with a 10.2-inch display, and, of course, all-wheel drive. Optional equipment includes a Bang & Olufsen sound system, adaptive M suspension, smartphone integration, full LED lights, and ventilated front seats.

If you decide to go with the diesel xDrive35d, you'll be treated to all-wheel drive, heated front seats, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, push-button start, park-distance control, a power tailgate, and more. You can also add heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, leather seats, a head-up display, and automatic high beams—just to name a few of the available options.

Opt for the plug-in hybrid xDrive40e and you'll also get all-wheel drive, along with SensaTec upholstery, push-button start/stop, a power tailgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, BMW's iDrive infotainment system, and xenon headlights. You'll also be able to add things like a head-up display, a surround-view camera, satellite radio, soft-close automatic doors, and parking assist.

On the safety side, all X5s come with antilock brakes, dynamic traction control, brake drying, dynamic stability control, dynamic brake control, electric power steering, side-impact airbags, and a rollover sensor.

All in all, the X5 is a strong candidate for anyone interested in a sporty luxury SUV. While it may not offer quite as much cargo room as some of its competitors, the car has more than enough space to fit a whole bunch of your friends and a good amount of gear for some seriously fun road trips. And with its many powerplant choices, there's bound to be one that will strike your fancy.