BMW X5 – What you need to know

Built in the USA since its inception in the late 1990s, the BMW X5 is now in its fourth generation – the G05 series introduced here in 2018.

Like its predecessors, the latest X5 delivers dependable prestige, safety and comfort, with some off-road ability. And all of this comes at a relatively affordable price.

Gone are the days, however, of rear-wheel drive models at a price below $90,000. No, they’re all four-wheel drives now. That leaves the X5 starting from $102,900 for the entry-level model, the BMW X5 xDrive25d, which is fitted with these items as standard:

• Adaptive LED headlights with auto high beam assist
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• ‘Leatherette’ upholstery
• Triple-split-folding (40/20/40) rear seat
• Active cruise control with Stop&Go function
• 12.3-inch infotainment touch-screen with single-point controller (iDrive) and voice recognition
• Wireless phone charging
• 10-speaker Hi-Fi audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and digital radio (DAB+)
• Satellite navigation
• Multi-zone (2.5 zones) climate control
• Head-up display
• Multi-function leather-bound steering wheel
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function
• Power windows
• Power heated and fold-in mirrors
• Powered tailgate

BMW X5 buyers will be presented in the dealership with an options list that is as long as one of Mr Tickle’s arms. It’s a l-o-n-g list. To paraphrase Douglas Adams, you might think the walk down to the shops is long...

Let’s start with the paint options. The standard metallics will set you back $2000, but BMW also offers a couple of Individual colours costing $4200. These are Ametrine – a red – and Tanzanite Blue.

Moving to wheels, the X5 is available with a choice of seven alloys, ranging in diameter from 20 to 22 inches. Only one of those seven is a standard wheel (a 20-inch alloy for the basic X5 xDrive25d) that cannot be optionally specified for other variants. Another 20-inch wheel is optional at no extra cost for the base X5 and standard for the six-cylinder variants (including the plug-in hybrid model).

The other wheels are priced from $2600. That is for the one and only alloy wheel that measures 21 inches and can be ordered as an option for the diesels (25d and 30d), the petrol six-cylinder (M40i) and the plug-in hybrid (45e). Four wheels all measure 22 inches in diameter and are either standard or no-cost options for the V8-engined X5 M50i and Pure variants. These cost $3900 per set when specified for the non-V8 models.

The high-performance X5 M flagship is fitted with standard 21-inch alloys at the front and 22-inch wheels at the rear, with a no-charge option of bi-colour wheels in the same sizes, featuring a star-spoke pattern.

What about upholstery? For ‘Vernasca’ leather you’ll pay $3200, but for full merino from the BMW Individual selection you’ll be staring down the barrel of $8300, unless you’re ordering the X5 M. The seats in the range-topping variant are already trimmed in merino leather, but can be specified with the full merino Individual option for just $1000 more.

Leather for the instrument binnacle costs $2000 extra for most variants, but is standard for the X5 M. BMW offers the buyer a choice of – by our count – 17 different colours and stitches for the various types of leather trim.

Then there’s the decorative trim to complement the soft materials. There are different finishes and colours available in aluminium, woodgrain and Piano Black lacquer. The price for these is $800.

Here’s a broad sampling of key options and option packs for the X5:
• M Sport pack – $9900 (xDrive25 only)
• xOffroad pack – $7500 (xDrive30d and xDrive40i only)
• Performance pack – $5000 (xDrive30d and xDrive40i only)
• Indulgence pack – $7800 (xDrive30d, xDrive40i and xDrive45e), $6600 (M50i only, N/A M50i Pure), $7500 (X5 M)
• M Sport exhaust – $1000
• Tyre pressure indicator – $550 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Integral active steering – $2250 (N/A xDrive25d, standard for M50i)
• Adaptive two-axle air suspension – $4000 (xDrive25d), $2300 (xDrive30d/40i), no charge (M50i, standard for 45e, N/A M50i Pure)
• Trailer tow hitch (3500kg) – $2500 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Alarm – $950 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Auto soft-close doors – $1150 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Acoustic glazing – $1200 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Panoramic sunroof – $4000 (xDrive25d only, N/A M50i Pure, standard for other variants)
• Panorama glass sunroof Sky Lounge – $5700 (xDrive25d), $1700 (other variants, N/A M50i Pure)
• Roller sunblind for side windows – $600 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Luggage compartment package – $1200 (N/A xDrive45e or M50i Pure)
• Sun protection glazing – $1000 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Active seat ventilation for front seats – $1500 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Comfort seats in front – $2400 (xDrive25d, 30d, 40i, 45e), $1900 (M50i only, N/A M50i Pure)
• Heat comfort package – $900 (N/A M50i)
• Four-zone climate control – $1300 (xDrive25d, 30d, 40i, 45e), $900 (M50i only, N/A M50 Pure)
• Massage function, front seats – $2000 (N/A M50i)
• Third-row seating – $3200 (N/A xDrive45e, M50i or M50i Pure)
• Laserlight headlights – $2400 (standard for M50i, N/A M50i Pure)
• Harman Kardon 16-speaker Surround Sound audio – $1300 (N/A M50i Pure, standard for M50i)
• Bowers & Wilkins 20-speaker Diamond Surround Sound audio – $9200 (N/A M50i Pure), $7400 (M50i & X5 M)
• Rear seat entertainment – $4800 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Gesture control – $600 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Night vision with pedestrian detection – $3900 (N/A M50i Pure)
• Alcantara headlining – $2300 (N/A M50i Pure)
• M Carbon package – $3500 (X5 M only)

Even the most affordable X5, the BMW X5 xDrive25d, comes with a huge suite of safety items, starting with airbags to protect the head and thorax of passengers in the outboard seats, plus another airbag for the driver’s knee.

Other safety features comprise driver fatigue monitoring, active cruise control, emergency call telematics, dynamic braking lights, autonomous emergency braking, front/rear cross traffic alert and lane keep assist.

The plug-in hybrid variant, the X5 xDrive45e, also comes with acoustic warning for pedestrians.

ANCAP has determined that the X5 is a ‘five-star’ vehicle for crash safety, based on the prevailing test regime for the 3.0-litre diesel variant (xDrive30d) from 2018. The X5 has achieved 89 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child safety, 75 per cent for pedestrian safety and 71 per cent for safety assist technology.

Do you prefer real leather upholstery to ‘leatherette’? Cross the entry-level BMW X5 xDrive25d off your list then. For full Vernasca leather you’ll need to opt for one rung higher, the X5 xDrive30d as a minimum.

Doing that, you’ll also get the M Sport body kit with complementary brakes (blue callipers) and adaptive suspension. An anthracite headlining brings a further touch of class to the six-cylinder diesel variant, as does a panoramic glass sunroof.

Other than the respective powertrains, the BMW X5 xDrive40i and the xDrive45e (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV) are trimmed and equipped to the same level as the xDrive30d variant.

The X5 PHEV does score ‘eDrive Services’ in addition though. These include range and charging status, charging timer, pre-conditioning and a list of charging stations in the immediate vicinity.

The X5 M50i Pure is based on the equipment fitted to the X5 xDrive45e, but also gains special door finishers and a combination of M and Individual design elements plus the 22-inch alloy wheels.

Building on the ‘Pure’ specification, the BMW X5 M50i features the following standard features: ‘Laserlight’ headlights, uprated suspension with roll mitigation, Integral Active Steering, four-zone climate control, adjustable lumbar support for front seat occupants, heated and cooled cup-holder in the centre console, auto soft-close doors and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

At the summit of the range, the BMW X5 M is trimmed to Competition level in Australia, offering a high-grade brake package with adjustable brake pedal feel, M Sport electrically-adjustable seats, Alcantara headlining and gesture control as standard, in addition to all the choice mechanicals (see below).

There is just one four-cylinder engine in the BMW X5 range – the 2.0-litre diesel powering the X5 xDrive25d at entry level. This engine produces 170kW/450Nm and, like every other variant in the X5 range, it drives through an eight-speed automatic to all four wheels. The combined-cycle fuel economy figure for this variant is 6.7L/100km.

An inline six-cylinder diesel displacing 3.0 litres resides under the bonnet of the X5 xDrive30d and generates 195kW/620Nm, for a combined-cycle fuel economy figure of 7.2L/100km. Another inline six – also a 3.0-litre unit – powers the X5 xDrive40i, the turbocharged petrol engine mustering 250kW/450Nm for fuel economy of 9.2L/100km.

The sole plug-in hybrid variant in the range is the X5 xDrive45e, which once again features an inline six-cylinder petrol engine of 3.0 litres displacement. Peak power and torque for this variant are supplemented by the on-board electric motor for a combined rating of 290kW/600Nm. Fuel consumption is officially 2.3L/100km.

V8 models in the X5 range are the X5 M50i and the X5 M50i Pure, the former being the more expensive model. Turbocharged, like all the X5 engines, the 4.4-litre V8 develops the same power and torque – 390kW and 750Nm – for the same fuel consumption figure of 11.5L/100km in both M50i variants.

The BMW X5 M starts with the M50i as its base, but amped up to 460kW and 750Nm. Combined-cycle fuel consumption is 12.5L/100km, reflecting the higher engine output. The engine expels combusted gas through an upgraded exhaust with four outlets.

Drive in the X5 M runs to all four wheels via the variable M xDrive system and the eight-speed automatic transmission, which features three selectable shift speeds. The final drive set-up can deliver 100 per cent of the available torque to the rear wheels, and an active M differential carefully doles out the torque to the rear wheel that needs it more at the time.

For those who are entranced by the promise of a clean future there’s something technically fascinating about the BMW X5 xDrive45e – the plug-in hybrid of the range. Owners seem to be split along more conventional lines, however.

Statistically, the plug-in variant seems to be least likely to be chosen by people who actually pay to own an X5.

Buyers are unlikely to enthralled by the entry-level diesel either, so the X5 xDrive25d is the next variant to be struck off the list. The diesel six powering the X5 xDrive30d is a pretty refined powerplant for its type, but there are the key words: ‘for its type’.

We’re becoming a little less smitten with diesels in general, even in an SUV.

While the V8 M50i models are undeniably appealing, the M50i Pure has little to offer over the xDrive40i other than the turbo V8 firepower. You’ll pay a further $15,000 for the M50i flagship, at which point one should ask whether you, the buyer, may have lost all perspective. And that’s before you even look at the X5 M.

For motoring journalists, the BMW X5 M is the only choice. But it’s a big ask in terms of its purchase price, and as stunning as it is, when could you use its power and performance in the real world?

So for this little black duck, the choice has to be the X5 xDrive40i, with its typically wonderful turbocharged petrol six and enough equipment to satisfy all but the fussiest of buyers.

How much does the BMW X5 cost?
xDrive25d – $102,900
xDrive30d – $119,900
xDrive40i – $122,900
xDrive45e – $133,900
M50i Pure – $140,900
M50i – $155,900
M – $209,900
* Prices exclude on-road costs