BMW is in midst of celebrating the one millionth sale of their BMW X5, since the model was launched in 1999.

The millionth car to come off the production line was a sapphire-black xDrive35i version of the BMW X5. The new version of the classic vehicle also features luxurious brown leather interiors.

This week the vehicle rolled out of the BMW plant in South Carolina and is now on its way to a customer in China.

Phil Horton, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East said, “Since the BMW X5 was launched over ten years ago it has achieved enormous success on a global and regional level.”

This is perhaps because the X5 was the first large sporty SUV, with high-torque performance and was designed for on-road rather than off-road driving.

It is not only drivers that have been impressed with the X5, as critics have awarded the X5 countless titles and prizes over the last ten years.

In 2007 the model received the Autonis� design prize from the motor journal, auto motor und sport, for the most stunningly designed vehicle of the year.

The X5 also won the AIIHS Most Safe Sports Activity Vehicle in 2007 and 2008, based purely on crash test performance. Even more recently the model ranked second place in the all-terrain vehicle category for exceptional reliability and breakdown statistics.

These awards go some way to explain why one million have been sold, as the car certainly has a lot to offer any drivers who are considering leasing a new vehicle.