Are you looking for an upscale car? Are you shopping for a luxury SUV that provides comfort and is equipped with cutting-edge technology that guarantees reliability and performance? If so, the BMW X5 may be the best choice for you. It is a luxury mid-size SUV that offers a luxurious and comfortable cabin and lives up to its price tag.
If you are considering one of these German cars, here is everything you need to know about the BMW X5.
The X5 was first introduced in 1999 as BMW’s first SUV, and it debuted with manual transmission. The second generation X5 was launched in 2006 with a better exterior design than that of its predecessors. Another model was released in 2009 and featured a diesel engine variant.
Each generation of the X5 is more refined, and each redesign offers more comfort, agility, power delivery and interior quality. The fourth version of the X5 was unveiled in 2019 and has improved engine performance, refined handling and an upscale interior.
Price and Value
The BMW X5 has a relatively higher price than other luxury SUVs, and it is rivaled by only a few brands like the Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne. One of the most popular trims, the xDrive40i 4dr SUV AWD, has an asking price of $61,200. The sDrive40i 4dr SUV carries a price tag of $58,900.
The xDrive50i 4dr SUV AWD comes with an asking price of $76,150, while the M50i 4dr SUV AWD is the most expensive trim and costs a whopping $82,150.
Size and Seating Capacity
The X5 is a standard five-seater with two rows, although a third row can be added with two more seats. This may not be convenient for adults, but children can fit more comfortably.
The exterior of the X5 has fresh styling, and the model is slightly larger in all directions with even a bigger grille. Wheels are standard alloy and measure 19 inches.
The X5 rear outboard seats have two complete sets of LATCH connectors to support children. The cargo space has plenty of room with 33.9 cubic feet. Rear seats can be folded to bring the total space to 72.3 cubic feet. Interior features include high-end materials such as leather, soft plastic and aluminum. The ride is quiet with less wind noise at high speeds.
Battery, Range and Engine Specs
The X5 has a standard 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that produces 335 horsepower. All engine options come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard version has a fuel efficiency of 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg with RWD and 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with AWD.
The X5 is responsive and can go from 0-60 in about 4.6 seconds. The engines have an automatic stop/start feature that saves fuel by cutting the engine while idling.
Other engine options include a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 456 horsepower. It has a torque of 479 pound-feet and a fuel efficiency of 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. The M50i has a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that puts out 523 horsepower with a torque of 553 pound-feet. It has a fuel efficiency of 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
The BMW X5 has a towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds. It offers an enjoyable ride due to its adaptive suspension that keeps it stable and comfortable on bumps and rough terrain. The X5 also fares well off-road with suspensions and traction control, aiding this German machine to cruise over rocks and slick surfaces.
The BMW X5 has a unique battery placement, in the trunk on the passenger side. It is still wired to the engine the same way other cars are.
Trims and Features
The BMW X5 has selective driving modes ranging from Eco Pro to Sport Plus. This helps the SUV feel lighter and take smooth corners. The four-wheel-drive setups create a sportier and more comfortable feel while driving. One outstanding feature of the X5 is air suspension. This is truly a luxury vehicle with soft-close doors, heated/cooled seats and a Bower and Wilkins surround–sound system.
The BMW X5 sDrive40i has the iDrive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch screen, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, navigation, 10 speakers, Bluetooth and a digital gauge cluster. Other features include five USB ports, proximity keyless entry, synthetic leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control. It has 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic moonroof, an adaptive suspension and a power tailgate.
Most of the standard features of the BMW X5 xDrive40i are similar to those of the BMW X5 sDrive40i. It has an available four-wheel steering system with off-road driving modes.
The BMW X5 xDrive50i has a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, quad-zone automatic climate control, a Wi-Fi hot spot and wireless charging. It also has leather upholstery, with other standard features carrying over.
The BMW X5 M50i carries over standard features with a few additions. It a restyled bumper, 20-inch alloy wheels and an M Sport adaptive suspension. Other M Sport features include rear differential, exhaust, upgraded steering wheel and brakes.
The BMW X5 M has 21-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, a leather-wrapped dashboard, hands-free parallel park assist and a surround-view parking camera system. Other standard features carry over.
Safety
The BMW X5 has a variety of safety features that aid the driver. Basic features include lane-departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and forward-collision mitigation with pedestrian detection. Other features include parking sensors at both ends, speed-limit information and dynamic cruise control.
Optional safety features include traffic jam assist, an evasive-action assistant and an automatic lane-change function. The X5 has an optional night vision feature. It can detect possible hazards beyond the headlights’ visibility and tell the difference between humans and animals.
The X5 received an overall safety rating of four out of five stars from the National Highway Administration. It earned four stars in the frontal crash and rollover evaluations and five stars in the side crash test.
Reliability
The X5’s reliability score, according to J.D. Power and Associates’ vehicle dependability rating, is better than most. A four-year/50,000 mile limited warranty covers it. Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles. Scheduled maintenance is complimentary for three years or 36,000 miles.
The X5 falls slightly behind its rivals, including Volvo XC90 and Range Rover Sport, in terms of reliability. It has reasonably few reported problems and callbacks and has a high resale value.
The Takeaway
The BMW X5 is a great luxury mid-size SUV with good fuel economy and ample cargo space. Although it carries a higher price tag, it promises to deliver value for your money. It is a slick and well-rounded SUV that balances comfort, agility, interior quality, and power delivery.
The X5 is packed with technology features that improve its performance and comfort. People buying the SUV will have to spend some time going through the manual to understand the various functions fully.
