BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport 2026 Review

According to the esteemed German brand, this isn’t an SUV at all. Instead, the 2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport falls under BMW’s self-generated ‘SAV’ acronym – or Sports Activity Vehicle. Right.

No matter the description, the X5 is a premium four-wheel drive with a wide breadth of ability. Given it can be optioned with seven seats in certain models, it’s popular with families and is a staple of well-heeled suburbs.

Using 2025 as a guide, BMW sold almost double the amount Mercedes-Benz did of its GLE, while tripling the number of Audi Q7 registrations. That’s no small feat.

Part of the explanation is because of the entry-level variant. It’s the $139,990 (all prices exclude on-road costs) 30d we’re testing here with the no-cost M Sport package, which ticks a lot of boxes. And while diesel’s reputation as a fuel is being slightly sullied by the high prices at the pump, this powertrain makes a lot of sense in the X5, especially with the addition of 48-volt mild hybridisation (MHEV).

If this isn’t for you, petrol power starts at $143,900 for the xDrive 40i or $154,900 when adding the 50e’s plug-in hybrid assistance. V8 firepower is found in the $177,900 M60i and ballistically rapid $247,800 X5 M.

There’s a lot to be said for ageing gracefully. The 2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport is the epitome of this.

Okay, the illuminated ‘Iconic Glow’ grille might be a gaudy addition for traditional buyers, but the rest of the design has been tastefully revised over the fourth generation’s tenure.

Codenamed G05, it has been on sale since 2018, with an LCI (Life Cycle impulse) update in 2023 ushering in the arrow-shaped matrix LED headlight arrangement to mirror BMW’s family face.

Fresh bumpers front and rear, new wheel designs and extra tech (which we’ll get to soon) were also added. The optional 22-inch wheels fitted to our test car also look the part compared to the standard 20-inch items.

Other kit includes LED daytime running lights and tail-lights, proximity-based keyless entry and push-button start, a dual-opening powered tailgate and a panoramic sunroof. Inside the X5 features ‘Verino’ black leather with ‘Fineline Stripe’ wood trim selected in our tester, while the front seats are power adjustable (including lumbar) with heating and there’s also tri-zone climate control. 

However, this M Sport-equipped X5 isn’t standard and starts with the all-important optional adaptive air suspension for $2500. Read further down to see why it’s so important.

It also gains the $6000 Enhancement package, comprising 22-inch BMW light alloy wheels, tyre-pressure monitoring, a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, Sapphire Black metallic paint and the ‘Crafted Clarity’ glass accents.

Additionally, the $3800 Comfort package includes quad-zone climate control, outboard seat heating for the second row, heated steering wheel and armrests, front-seat ventilation, heated/cooled cup holders and manual roller sunblinds.

BMW’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty applies with three years of roadside assistance, while you can pre-pay the first five years of servicing for $3570 (intervals are every 12 months/15,000km).

Given that the G05 generation was last crash tested by ANCAP in 2018, it is no longer rated. However, that doesn’t mean the 2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport is lacking in active safety tech.

Highlights of the Driving Assistant Professional pack include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function, front and rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring as well as lane keeping assistant with steering intervention.

The X5 also has driver fatigue monitoring and road sign recognition, but thankfully, everything that might annoy you can be either switched off or silenced without too much hassle.

Parking Assistant Plus, which includes self-parking and BMW’s reversing assistant, is standard. As are parking sensors and surround-view cameras with panorama and 3D views to make the big X5 a doddle to park within the city.

There is a total of seven airbags, dual ISOFIX points and three top-tether anchorages.

The 2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport isn’t the newest offering on the block, but it remains bang up to date in terms of tech with the dual curved screens appearing as one oversized panel within the dash.

Its operation is slick, too, with the eighth-generation iDrive operating system running the central 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. It’s responsive to inputs and offers detailed graphics. Wrapping your head around where to find everything and ironing out its quirks isn’t the work of a minute, but it is nice to use – especially with the fancy iDrive controller.

Both the themed 12.3-inch instrument cluster and head-up display combine well to showcase all the important information where you want it, too.

You can connect your smartphone wirelessly for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it’s a shame the X5 doesn’t gain a cooling function within the wireless charge pad. In-built sat-nav, Bluetooth, voice commands, USB-C ports and DAB+ digital radio are offered, while the upgraded audio provides high-quality acoustics.

BMW ConnectedDrive encompasses intelligent emergency call and personal assistant via TeleServices, while the X5 can receive remote software updates. You can also use your smartphone as a digital key if set up correctly or you can select an NFC keycard.

There aren’t too many stronger cases for highlighting the benefits of turbo-diesel propulsion than the 2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport. It’s efficient, refined and offers surprising performance.

Mild-hybrid assistance has also entered the equation for the 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Mild is appropriate, too, with the tiny 0.4kWh battery pack powering the 9kW/200Nm motor. It supplements the venerable B57 engine for a combined system output of 219kW and 670Nm.

That’s enough to propel the family SUV to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds – it even has launch control. To be honest, the acceleration feels stronger than the raw numbers suggest, with mountains of torque available from just 1500rpm.

There’s little reason to use the steering wheel-mounted paddles to take manual control of the ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, either. It’s an intuitive and rather imperceptible transmission that ties in well with the TwinPower powertrain.

While few owners will do proper off-roading in the X5, as the nameplate suggests, the 30d’s driveline harnesses permanent all-wheel drive. It has driving modes, too – sorry, we mean the Driving Experience Control – with the options of Sport, Comfort and ECO PRO to choose from.

As mentioned earlier, the engine also sounds appealing and nothing like the agricultural tagline that's usually slapped on turbo-diesels, which only adds to the experience.

Diesel passenger cars are fast becoming a dying breed. Volatile global markets and prices at the pump don’t help either – not to mention the push to hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Having said that, for a vehicle sitting the wrong side of 2.2 tones in kerb weight and all the aero efficiency of a brick, the fact the 2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport sipped 5.7L/100km on an extended highway run is impressive.

That figure rose to 7.5L/100km throughout our week with the X5, but that still undercuts the official average claim by 0.3L/100km. And considering it has an 80-litre tank, the theoretical maximum driving distance exceeds 1100km.

For an SUV with such substantial proportions, the 2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport is more dynamic than it has any right to be. It runs with the marque’s CLAR chassis architecture.

However, how it drives around the ’burbs, within the CBD and on the highway is vastly more important despite this being the brand that champions its ‘ Ultimate Driving Machine’ mantra. The addition of air suspension is important with the attractive 22-inch alloys as there’s just enough suspension compliance to counteract lower profile tyres.

On the open road the X5 really comes into its own, loping along at low engine rpm and the air suspension soaking up all surfaces. Even though the centre of gravity is high, body roll is largely kept in check (for an SUV), and the sophisticated damping does a great job quelling wallow and bobble through undulations.

It’s a polished performer with engaging handling. This includes the steering, which like the suspension, never really needs to be switched into Sport mode no matter the driving conditions. With the upgraded M Sport package, the braking power is proficient, while the Pirelli P Zero tyres offer plenty of purchase.

A slight letdown is the amount of road noise, particularly tyre roar, on highways at highway speeds. It isn’t overly intrusive, but you do notice surface changes by ear. Other than that, the X5 xDrive30 M Sport is effortless to drive and shouldn’t intimidate despite its size.

If you’re familiar with the new-age interior of the current generation X3, then the 2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport might be somewhat dull visually.

However, the design of the G05’s cabin is standing the test of time and, with the inclusion of the screens that mimic one curved display, there’s a contemporary aesthetic at play. Even the mood lighting is futuristic with the arrow motif across the dash – although it does tend to jar with the woodgrain accents.

The overall build quality and ergonomics are sound, while the air vent control stalks are far more functional to use than the X3’s nubbin-like dials. Yes, the CraftedClarity glass touches offer a bit of bling and sense of occasion, but sunlight through them can be directed straight to your eyes if caught on the wrong angle.

Storage is plentiful, too, with the redesigned centre console freeing up some space with the small gear selector. The optional heated/cooled cupholders are more of a novel talking point than being genuinely useful – although, they’re more effective at keeping things warm than cool.

Space in the back is abundant, especially for legroom, and headroom remains generous despite the glass roof. It’s a nice place to be, with a blackout shade for the sunroof, manual blinds for the side windows, rear climate controls with air vents, map pockets and a fold-down centre arm rest.

The only extra addition required for added comfort would be the ability to recline the 40/20/40-split folding rear seats – or stow them with a lever within the boot. Cargo capacity is generous sans the third row with a minimum of 650 litres of storage, expanding to a maximum of 1870L.

The split tailgate aids practicality, with the lower section creating a flat area to slide items in the boot easily. Further simplifying this are the controls to lower (or raise) the air suspension, and thus the height of the vehicle, so you don’t have to lift items quite as high.

Yes. If you’re in the market for a family-friendly, premium SUV, then the 2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport is hard to beat. Like we said from the outset, it really is all the X5 you’ll ever need.

And while some might baulk at the $140k price tag, compared to something like the comparatively priced Toyota GR LandCruiser, it resembles great value. Yet, an LC300 buyer is unlikely to be the same demographic. Toorak isn’t a rural postcode.

The next generation, Neue Klasse-infused X5 promises to revolutionise the powertrains, design and the overall formula of BMW’s original SUV. Yet, for now at least, there’s still plenty of life and value left in the traditional diesel-powered X5.

2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport at a glance:
Price: $139,900 (before on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Combined output: 219kW/670Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.8L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 206g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Unrated

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