The BMW X5 has been with us since 1999 (E53 for BMW Geeks), it was BMW’s first SUV and boy was it ugly. The main thing that always used to catch my eye was how wide the back tyres were and even today, they sit on some fat rubber.
At its launch it was available in manual or automatic and came with a mixture of petrol and diesel engines.
We’re now on the 4th generation of the BMW X5 with a mid-range refresh in 2023, this added a few new engine options, the new BMW Infotainment system and this upgraded Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV). We took this X5 out on a Car Subscription so that we could really test it out to let you know how we feel about it…
Under The Bonnet...
The original 45e PHEV BMW X5 had a 2.0 litre petrol engined, the latest 50e now has a 3.0 litre straight-six petrol engine mated along side a 194hp electric motor, combined this offers over 480hp and 700Nm of torque.
Over 5,000 miles covered in this BMW X5 PHEV, we’ve done 4,000 of these on pure electric which is super impressive. Treating it more like an Electric Vehicle (BEV) the car really fit into our daily commutes, which is around 30 -40 miles per day, but at some points when we first had the vehicle, these were 50-60 miles, still easily achievable on pure electric power.
A full charge takes around 4 hours from empty at home, we utilised Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Go service, although we did have some teething problems in getting it paired up to the app to take advantage of the lower charging rates.
Inside the car...
Whilst not as plush as our previous BMW X5 30d M Sport, the car still feels premium. This particular car has the Pro pack which is mainly external features, but inside we had lovely Sensafin Leather Interior and a great big curved touchscreen.
This particular engine choice does not allow for the 7 seats, so bear this in mind. Alternatives to this if you do need the extra ankle biter seats would be the Volvo XC90 which is another impressive car.
Most of the onboard features now need to be controlled from the touchscreen, this includes climate control which can prove quite fiddly until you get used to it. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard and integrates amazingly into the digital cockpit of the car.
With two car seats in the back, there is still space for an adult in the middle but getting into it is a challenge in itself. Being 6ft tall, I did feel an 18-month old childs feet in my back a few times, but I soon forgot about this after doing so many miles.
Whilst I usually use Apple CarPlay for navigation, I was impressed with BMW’s Satellite Navigation System, this also integrates with the car and can help with improving EV range and economy for a trip, although confirming a trip takes a few extra presses.
On the road...
Driving the BMW X5 is a real pleasure and even in pure electric mode the car is no slouch and just moves. If you need that extra power, hit the accelerator to get the engine to kick in, it just shifts and you would never imagine your driving a 2-tonne plus car.
As per most BMW’s there are some driving modes to select;
- Electric: For pure electric driving
- Hybrid: Let the car decide between switching between electric and the engine
- Sport: Oh my god, press this and the car comes alive both in terms of power and noise
Of course there are individual preferences that you can set, I really like the heavy steering so this was one of the first things I set.
Motorway driving was a real breeze and we did 39.4mpg over 175 miles, of course the battery was depleted after the first 50/60 miles but it is still impressive from a 3.0-litre petrol engine.
Around town (Belper) the car does feel most bumps, whilst adaptive suspension is on this model it still felt uncomfortable. Lane Assist and Collision avoidance was annoying, but I don’t like it on any vehicle.
Overall...
I love the BMW X5 and this is our 5th one and it has got to be 2nd in the charts, only being beaten by this model as the 30d Diesel. There are some cracking lease deals available on the BMW X5, not sure if I’d buy one but subscriptions on the BMW X5 is a great way of experiencing this car without the commitment of a purchase or a long-term car lease.
Infotainment system is excellent and love the integration of Apple CarPlay into the digital dashboard, it actually takes up the full screen without re-formatting like other manufacturers do.
Yes, it would be a car I’d like to see permanently on my drive…
Pro's...
- Apple CarPlay Integration
- Cheap to Run on EV Power
- Quality Car with Premium Features
Con's...
- Adaptive Brake Regen is super annoying
- Fiddly Climate Controls on Infotainment System
- Lane Assist & Collision Avoidance Comes in too early
Gallery of the BMW X5
All images taken with the Ricoh GRiiix HFR Camera
