The BMW X5 was a game changer when it appeared on the scene over 20 years ago, paving the way for sportier SUVs that felt more like saloons than offroaders when it came to actually driving. The car pretty much changed the face of the luxury SUV landscape overnight, and utterly dominated the sales charts.
Unsurprisingly, rival manufacturers wanted a piece of the action. The X5 was soon facing competition from the Volvo XC90, bringing seven seats as standard, and then the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, bringing luxury, sportiness and offroading capabilities. Later came the Audi Q7, with its impressive blend of comfort, classy interior and seven-seat versatility.
Equipment, options and extras
The X5 xDrive30d is available with two trim levels. The xLine brings 19in alloy wheels, leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, heated front and rear seats, and a faux leather–wrapped dashboard. The M Sport adds larger 20in wheels, sportier body styling, and gloss-black exterior details instead of polished metal.
It’s worth noting that the M Sport is the only option for the xDrive50e. It’s also our preferred trim, as its cosmetic enhancements should help resale values—but of course the xLine is okay if you’re happy with a diesel engine and don’t need the extras.
Meanwhile, the M60i doesn’t have any trim choices: its spec list is based on M Sport, except with even bigger wheels, an upgraded sound system, a sports exhaust system, and a bespoke limited-slip differential to boost traction on corners.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The entry-level xLine is slightly pricier than the equivalent Audi Q7, and a fair bit more expensive than the equivalent Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Discovery. If you spec that optional third row of seats, the cost rises further.
However, the xDrive50e is great value compared to the equivalent Land Rover Range Rover Sport plugin electric hybrid. The Volvo XC90 Recharge is marginally cheaper.
The diesel xDrive30d returns a fuel economy of 39mpg, a little better than the equivalent Discovery. The xDrive50e returns an astonishing 313mpg, although naturally that’s achievable only if you keep the battery charged for a whole lot of electric running.
The xDrive50e boasts low CO2 emissions and a solid electric range, both of which contribute to its favourable company car tax rate. It’s much more affordable to run than other X5s, all of which sit well and truly in the top BIK tax bracket, and it’s far cheaper to run than many of its plugin electric hybrid competitors.
Safety and security
Euro NCAP awarded the X5 a full five stars for safety, although it’s worth noting that was back in 2018 when tests were less stringent. Nevertheless, it achieved great scores in every category, suffering minor setbacks only when it came to leg injuries for adults in the front, which slightly lowered its adult occupancy score.
It’s tough to compare the X5 to its competitors for safety because they’ve all been tested in different years with varying standards. However, the X5 is still a ‘safe bet’, with its front collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Bear in mind though that in the seven-seat versions the side airbags don’t reach back into the boot area for passengers in the third row, as they do in the Audi Q7.
The optional Driving Assistant Professional package introduces a raft of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control with steering assistance and a system that swerves the car to avoid hitting an obstacle.
Finally,. Thatcham awarded the X5 four stars for its ability to resist break-ins, and a full five stars for preventing theft. Its competitors performed similarly well.
Reliability
The X5 comes with a 3-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which also covers the car’s paintwork for 3 years and against corrosion for 12 years. That’s roughly the same as its competitors, although the Lexus RX offers an even longer warranty.
The Car Planet verdict
The BMW X5 is a smooth, classy and luxurious SUV. It’s not quite as practical as its more capacious competitors, but it’s more than big enough where it counts—and it truly impresses with its lavish interior and excellent infotainment system.
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