The BMW X5 is a very popular SUV; or SAV, as BMW likes to call it. And, in its plug-in avatar, it has even more to offer. The X5 has been a very successful product, and in keeping with the times, BMW has launched the hybrid variant looking at the ever so increasing demand for the same. BMW offers the hybrid X5 in the xDrive45e guise and hence it can be seen that it is very powerful and frugal at the same time. At a time when the market is moving towards hybrids and more and more people are inclined to buy a hybrid vehicle, the X5 PHEV fits the bill perfectly given the huge fan following for the X5 already. The powerful engine coupled with a strong electric motor makes it very sprightly and fun to drive despite its size and weight. However, there are many more factors that make the X5 attractive.
1 The BMW X5 Looks Striking!
Although looks are subjective, most people will agree that the X5 looks really sporty and athletic with perfect proportions and an imposing stance. The X5 has those perfect SUV proportions that lend it some degree of aggression and thanks to that huge grille, one cannot mistake it for anything other than a BMW. Also, due to the familiar design cues from previous X5 generations, one can easily identify it as an X5, even from a distance. The proportions are spot on, and it has that perfect SUV shape. The slightly upright proportions also have additional benefits in terms of interior space. It offers great headroom in front as well as rear seats thanks to the tall and upright stance.
2 The X5's Plug-in Hybrid Setup Churns Out Ample Power
The X5 PHEV comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine paired with a single electric motor. As a result, the combined output is a whopping 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. This power is put down through BMW’s famous xDrive all-wheel drive system. Transmission duties are handled by the enthusiastic eight-speed automatic gearbox from ZF, which does duty in most BMW products. This transmission is famous for its seamless shifts, and it's the same in the X5 as well. The xDrive system, too, is also very intelligent and splits the power between the front and rear wheels seamlessly depending on the grip levels available at each individual wheel.
3 The BMW X5 Handles Exceptionally Well
As is expected from any BMW, the X5, too, handles really well for such a huge SUV and really defies its size. It handles incredibly well with impeccable composure around corners and immense grip. The xDrive system distributes power in a perfect manner to provide maximum grip at all times. This allows the X5 to handle in such a manner that really challenges the laws of physics. Given its weight, it's always better to dial down a bit when it comes to cornering. However, the X5 never feels scary or anywhere close to losing composure. The steering, too, offers an accurate feel of what's under the front wheels. This increases the driver's confidence even more. All in all, handling capabilities is something BMW really excels at.
4 The Hybrid X5 Is Extremely Frugal
Thanks to the hybrid powertrain, the X5 is very frugal as compared to its gasoline-only avatar. As expected the gains offered by the hybrid powertrain over and above its gasoline-only equivalent are more in urban conditions as compared to that on freeways. It manages to achieve around 26 MPG overall on a combined cycle. BMW also claims that the X5 can do 30 miles on electric power only if the batteries are fully charged. This makes it extremely efficient and frugal in urban conditions and thus makes it ideal for those who have high running in traffic. Thanks to the hybrid tech, even during long idling times with the HVAC system running, too much fuel isn't consumed.
5 The Brakes Are Extremely Powerful
The X5 gets disc brakes at all four ends and as expected, they provide excellent stopping power and bring the X5 to a complete halt from unmentionable speeds without any fuss whatsoever. The initial bite is very strong and thereon it's a very progressive feel at the pedal. This lends the driver some added confidence to push the car even more. The Brake Assist system distributes the power between the front and rear wheels perfectly, which keeps the X5 perfectly stable even under panic braking situations. This makes it even more confidence-inspiring as one needs to have powerful brakes in such a heavy and powerful vehicle. The X5 PHEV also offers regenerative braking which recoups some of the energy that would have been otherwise lost completely in braking. This also helps in increasing the battery-only range thereby aiding efficiency. Good thing is, despite having regenerative braking, the brakes offer excellent feel and feedback.
6 You'll Be Welcomed To A High-Quality Interior
As is typical and expected from any BMW product, the X5, too, features a very high-quality interior with excellent fit and finish and its interiors are a place where one will not be able to find anything that is not put together properly. The materials used on each and every surface of the interior are top-notch in terms of quality and soft to the touch. These soft touch materials lend it an air of luxury and make them extremely inviting. The top part of the dashboard is covered in beautiful soft-touch leather and even the lower portion of the dashboard which is usually out of sight is covered in high-quality materials. BMW also offers many trim options which makes the interior even more special.
7 It Comes With The Latest iDrive System
The X5 gets the latest version of BMW’s famous iDrive infotainment system, which is extremely slick to use. It has extremely good touch responses as well, which makes it enjoyable and easy to use. Even though it gets a touch screen, it still also gets the familiar rotary Drive controller that makes it very easy to use on the go. The graphics are extremely crisp and clear and even the 360-degree camera display is unbelievably sharp. It also gives a bird's eye view of the car that allows for easy maneuverability in tight parking spaces as well as in traffic. One more interesting thing about the latest Drive system is that it offers over-the-air updates by using the inbuilt sim for data access. This helps in keeping the system up-to-date and free from any bugs.
8 The X5 Plug-in Hybrid Is Comfortable
The X5 comes with an air suspension that changes the stiffness of the dampers depending on the drive mode that the car is in. In comfort mode, the suspension is very compliant and cushy, which makes the X5 very comfortable. Despite being comfortable, it never sacrifices its handling capabilities even in comfort mode. On the freeways at higher speeds, comfort mode may make the X5 feel a bit floaty. However, the comfort offered by this mode wherein the dampers are softened is unmatched. The best part is, even in sport mode, where the suspension stiffens up quite a bit, is never uncomfortable and overly stiff. Thanks to this, the driver is able to enjoy the sharp handling in sport mode while still keeping the X5 reasonably comfortable for other passengers.
9 No Dearth Of Safety Features
The X5 gets a slew of safety features like multiple airbags, Dynamic Stability Control, and many more active electronic safety aids in addition to ADAS tech like autonomous braking, active cruise control, etc. It also gets five-star crash test safety rating from NHTSA. All in all, it gets all the latest and cutting-edge safety features and hence, makes for an ideal choice for someone looking for a hybrid SUV with top-notch safety. The structure of the X5 was rated stable by the crash testing authority, which indicates that the structure is capable enough to disperse the impact of an accident away and keep the passengers safe. In addition to this, the X5 also gets ISOFIX child seat mounts, which allows for the safe mounting of child seats. The combination of all these active and passive safety systems make the X5 extremely safe.
10 The X5 Is Priced Well
The X5 xDrive50e, starts at $72,500. This makes it very competitive and value for money as this price is right in between its segment rivals. It also gets more than a decent amount of standard equipment and hence, one is not forced to go in for expensive options. Also, the PHEV variant of the X5 feels pretty good value-for-money considering the amount of money saved later on due to the hybrid tech. More and more people are nowadays opting for the hybrid variant thanks to it being only marginally more expensive than the equivalent gasoline-only variant. Also, for those who want a car for use within the traffic-laden urban environment, the X5 PHEV fits the bill perfectly.