The BMW iDrive cockpit controller is like the flashing-12 display seen in home electronics: a symbol, correctly or not, of technology run amok. The Bavarian elves at BMW have been hearing cranky-owner complaints for five years. But the iDrive might have easier times ahead, with the arrival in November of the second-generation X5 sports utility vehicle—or sports activity vehicle (SAV), in BMW-speak.

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BMW's first official photos of the X5 show a row of eight programmable keys on the center console stack, to assist the iDrive. That means you will be able to program a favorite destination, a phone number, or an audio setting into each button, bypassing iDrive's slide, turn, and press-to-select methodology.

This marks the third version of iDrive. The first, in 2002, had eight general functions that you selected by first sliding the controller in one of the eight compass directions. Version 2, circa 2004, reworked the functions to just four (communication, navigation, entertainment, and climate control). This third variant adds the function buttons, much like programmable PC function keys (they can be programmed, you know, just that no one does anymore) or radio buttons on your car audio system, to the four-way iDrive controller.

A fourth version of the iDrive may appear two years from now, with the replacement of the flagship 7 Series, which started the iDrive uproar in 2002. Sources say that at focus groups held over the winter by BMW in New York and Los Angeles, BMW sought feedback on a system not unlike Audi's MMI (multimedia interface): The driver chooses the basic function by pressing a button near the controller, and then fine-tunes with the MMI controller, which has the same kind of turning knob and press-to-select feature as the iDrive. Mercedes-Benz' new COMAND system on the S-Class works similarly.

BMW appears to be moving ahead on other technological grounds as it attempts to catch up to the sales of market leaders, the Lexus RX 330 and Acura MDX. Most significant may be the combination of parking sonar, which BMW has long had, with a backup camera. If the car already has an LCD (and all X5s have an iDrive monitor LCD), adding a backup camera is cheap; about $100, TechnoRide estimates.

But BMW managed to retain the coolest feature of its Park Distance Control sonar, which presented green, yellow, and red force field waves emanating from the four corners of the car, indicating the car's distance from an object. The new sonar, plus camera and microprocessors, locates and range-finds objects behind the car, and places the distance-color bands around them. If you are using this combo and back into something anyway, perhaps you shouldn't be driving. Or maybe you should opt for the Hovair Turntable.

BMW was ranked first on a recent Telematics Research Group survey of technology features, and the X5 will only extend its lead. In addition to the backup camera (the absence of which cost BMW 1 of the 32 possible scoring points on other models), the X5 will have, standard or as options:

Adaptive Drive, BMW's term for a combination of active roll stabilization (controlling body lean in corners) and electronic damping control (microprocessor-controller shock absorbers that can be tweaked to give you a sporty or comfortable ride).

12 speakers, standard, on the base audio system; 16 on the premium Dolby 5.1 audio system; Sirus Satellite Radio; HD radio; and a CD changer. The X5 apparently will not have a hard-disk storage module for navigation information, coming to cars such as the Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Nitro, and Jeep Wrangler; Infiniti G35 sedan; and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Available backseat DVD player mounted low on the console, to keep the driver's rear vision clear.

Head-up display, active cruise control, and active steering options. With active steering, it takes more steering input (you have to turn the wheel more) to effect the same turning angle as you do at low speed.

Apart from tech features, the X5 has 7 inches of additional length—it's now 191 inches—and offers an optional third row of seating, to compete with the Acura MDX and other premium, three-row SUVs. Acura is expected to have a new MDX out by year's end. The X5 keeps its full-time all-wheel drive technology and offers two engines: a 260-hp inline six-cylinder engine, and for those immune to the shock of $3-a-gallon gasoline, a 350-hp V8.

The first shipment will be in November. The X5 currently starts at around $43,000, and automakers often hold the line on new model pricing, given market competition and reduced manufacturing costs. Since the X5 is built in South Carolina, it may list under $45,000. But with all the electronic options, it might also sell for $60,000. BMW has been the car-tech leader because of the breadth of its offerings. And with this vehicle, the automaker is starting to pay more attention to ease-of-use factors. Better late than never.