The X5 has been a staple of the BMW lineup for over twenty years. Born in the late-’90s during the first SUV craze, the X5 was a smashing success that brought an influx of new buyers to the Bavarian brand. Its popularity spawned a whole lineup of crossovers and SUVs that now represent a majority of the brand's sales.
Launched in 2019, the fourth-generation BMW X5 has been incredibly popular since its release, yet it has undergone little change in over four years. With competition from the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Genesis all having been refreshed more recently, is the aging SUV from Munich still competitive in the marketplace?
2023 BMW X5
- 12.3" Touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Split Tailgate
- IIHS Top Safety Pick
- Up To 52 MPGe
- Model: 2023 BMW X5
- Engine:: 3.0 L Inline 6 / 4.4 L V-8
- Power Output: 335-600 HP
- Torque: 331-553 LB-FT
- Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
- Driveline: RWD & AWD
- MSRP: $61,600 - $108,900
- Quality Interior Materials
- M-Variants Are Great Value
- Sporty Driving Characteristics
- Tight Rear Legroom
- High Base MSRP
- Four Years Since Last Refresh
2023 BMW X5 Performance And Capability
As you’d expect from the 'Ultimate Drivers Machine', the X5 has driving characteristics that are surprisingly sporty for an SUV weighing over two tonnes. It’s certainly one of the more athletic cars in the segment. The steering is direct with minimal input needed when cornering. Paired with a suspension setup that is soft over bumps and stiff through corners, it feels like you're driving a sports sedan more than a family SUV. BMW has delivered once again on the expectation of athleticism that its buyers expect.
The entry-level sDrive40i is a rarity in today’s marketplace, as it is powered by BMW’s sought-after 3.0-liter inline-six power plant. With many competitors in the segment offering four-cylinder engines in entry-level trim, the X5 has a leg up on its rivals.
Famous for its buttery smooth acceleration and linear power band, the straight-six engines out of Munich put the brand on the map. In this trim, the turbocharged unit produces 335 horsepower and will launch a family of five, to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. Respectable performance for the class, but nothing to write home about.
If you have an additional $20,000 to splurge on a high-displacement SUV, the X5 M50i is a great option. This version is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 with a thunderous soundtrack and an impressive 523 horsepower on tap. All that power will propel the SUV from a standstill to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds.
For those yearning for unbridled supercar levels of performance from your family SUV, only the X5M will whet your appetite. The engineers at M division have tuned the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 to produce a whopping 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, which paired with all-wheel drive, catapults the luxury SUV from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
s/xDrive40i | xDrive45e | M50i | X5M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Engine | 3.0 L Inline-6 | 3.0 L Inline-6 w/ Integrated Electric Motor | 4.4 L V-8 | 4.4L V-8 |
Horsepower | 335 HP | 389 HP | 523 HP | 600 HP |
Torque | 331 LB-FT | 443 LB-FT | 553 LB-FT | 553 LB-FT |
Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic |
0-60 | 5.3 Seconds | 5.3 Seconds | 4.1 Seconds | 3.7 Seconds |
Drive | Rear & All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
Exterior Styling
The X5 has long had handsome styling and excellent proportions, and this generation is no different. It’s one of the few cars in the lineup that doesn’t suffer from the new controversial styling direction that the brand has taken recently. We’re happy to see this but are waiting with bated breath for the 2024 mid-cycle refresh on the horizon.
The design is certainly influenced by the Range Rover, with its sloped rear end and split tailgate, but it remains true to its Munich heritage with aggressive styling and design elements like the signature Hofmeister kink on the rear quarter window.
Standard | Alpine White | $0 |
Jet Black | $0 | |
Metallic | Carbon Black Metallic | $650 |
Black Sapphire Metallic | $650 | |
Dark Graphite Metallic | $650 | |
Mineral White Metallic | $650 | |
Sparkling Brown Metallic | $650 | |
Phytonic Blue Metallic | $650 | |
Manhattan Green Metallic | $650 |
Length | 194.3 in |
Width | 78.9 in |
Height | 68.7 in |
Wheelbase | 117.1 in |
Ground Clearance | 8.7 in |
Curb Weight | 4,828-5,672 lbs |
Interior Design
In 2023 the only changes made to the X5 are on the inside, with a restructuring of packages and upholstery trims. The Premium and Executive Packages lose the ever-popular gesture controls for iDrive, but the former gains a wireless charging pad for your phone. There is also a swap of material choices, with SensaTec faux leather being replaced by Sensafin vegan leather. Most notable is the discontinuation of the upmarket Vernasca leather.
Aside from those changes, the interior of the X5 is just as high quality as in years past. The X5 has twin 12.3-inch displays on the dashboard which handle the instrumentation and iDrive, including wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Bonus points here for CarPlay taking up the whole screen, and not just a small portion of it like in the competition.
While it has the tech nailed down, the X5 is lacking in rear seat space. The Mercedes GLE has 40.9 inches of rear legroom to the paltry 37.4 inches you get in the back of the BMW. Although the X5 does have an extra quarter inch of rear headroom and half an inch larger cargo volume over the Mercedes.
Seating Capacity | 5-7 |
Headroom (front) | 40.8 in |
Headroom (rear) | 40.8 in |
Legroom (front) | 39.8 in |
Legroom (rear) | 37.4 in |
Shoulder room (front) | 60 in |
Shoulder room (rear) | 58.1 in |
Cargo Room | 33.9 cu-ft |
2023 BMW X5 Price And Availability
The 2023 BMW X5 comes in five different variants, which offer more drivetrain and engine choices than its German competitors:
- sDrive40i
- xDrive40i
- xDrive45e
- M50i
- X5M
The entry-level model is the sDrive40i is priced at $61,600 and comes in rear-wheel drive only, a few grand more than the rear-wheel drive Mercedes GLE 350. This is a great option if you live in a warmer climate, but those up north will want to opt for the xDrive variant for its variable all-wheel drive, which will set you back $63,900. The downside of the larger engine is these models only offer a combined 25 and 26 MPG respectively.
With the way fuel prices have increased this past year, efficiency is at the top of most consumers' lists, making the hybrid xDrive45e a tempting choice. One that provides great value for only an additional $1,800 over the non-hybrid model. The 3.0-liter straight six is assisted by an integrated electric motor, achieving an EPA-estimated 52 MPGe–double the MPG over the aforementioned model.
Tweaked by the M-division, the performance-conscience buyer should seriously consider the M50i variant. It’s priced at $85,400, smack dab in the middle between the entry-level xDrive40i and range-topping X5M. With the same engine, albeit producing 77 fewer horsepower, the M50i gives you the same roaring V-8 soundtrack and is only 0.4 seconds slower to 60 mph than the full-fat X5M.
That said, we wouldn’t blame anyone who lusts after the X5M. This version is the fire-breathing autobahn predator of the lineup that could put most sports cars to shame at the lights. With a starting MSRP of $108,900, it's tens of thousands less than the Mercedes GLE 63 AMG which it competes against. A real bargain in this segment.
You can build your dream X5 here.
Trim | Price |
|---|---|
sDrive40i | $61,600 |
xDrive40i | $63,900 |
xDrive45e | $65,700 |
M50i | $85,400 |
X5M | $108,900 |
Safety
The BMW X5 comes standard with a suite of safety features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. It also comes standard with LED headlights that illuminate up to 328 yards of visibility at night, and the optional Laserlight headlights increase that to an impressive 546 yards. The X5 was even rated a 2022 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. These safety features can be expanded with the optional Driving Assistant package that comes with active safety features such as:
- Traffic Jam Assistant
- Lane Keeping Assistant
- Steering Assistant
- Automatic Speed Limit Assist
Main Competition
We’ve talked a lot about the main rival to the BMW X5, the Mercedes-Benz GLE. That’s for good reason because the Mercedes has been hot on the heels of the X5 since its initial release in 1999. In fact, the Mercedes pre-dated the BMW by two whole years. So, how does it stack up?
Well, the BMW X5 starts at a higher initial MSRP, but the upper trim levels present far more bang for your buck. The xDrive45e starts over $1,000 less than the comparable GLE 450, and you could buy an X5M plus a well-equipped Toyota Camry for the price of the GLE 63 AMG.
Price isn’t the only area of contention. The X5 is equipped with BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which provides crisp resolution, although it isn’t as intuitive as the new MBUX system in the Mercedes. Otherwise, the interior fit and finish of both German luxury SUVs are comparable. You’re cocooned with nice materials and the touch points feel solid and high quality.
You could split hairs over the two cars for days, so the decision really comes down to personal preference and what you’re looking for in a luxury SUV. Despite it being the oldest model in the mid-size luxury SUV segment, the BMW X5 is right up there with its more recent rivals and offers a sporting edge that they can’t match.
FAQ
Q: Will BMW change the X5 in 2023?
The BMW X5 isn't undergoing major changes for the 2023 model year, with only slight revisions to options packages and discontinuation of certain upholstery materials.
Q: When can you order 2023 BMW X5?
The order banks are open for 2023 X5 models! You can build one online at www.bmwusa.com or see your local dealership.
Q: Is the BMW X5 getting a facelift?
There is no facelift for the 2023 BMW X5, but BMW is working on a facelift for the 2024 model year.
Q: Is BMW changing the X5 for 2024?
Yes, BMW is working on a 2024 facelift for the G05 chassis X5 that has been on sale since 2019.