BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport Review

The latest BMW X5 is bigger than ever and the mid-life upgrades are noticeable. Gone are the days when a manufacturer could introduce a new car with a simple change here and there.

The plug-in hybrid version has a larger battery and increased range. Customer choice is simple, as there is only one trim level to choose from, called M Sport.

While it seems like the X5 has been around forever and has just celebrated its 26th birthday^th Birthday, it has moved forward with time. It still looks as gorgeous as it did in 1999 and still stands out from the crowd in the car park.

How we tested

We took our BMW But Mother Nature decided to throw Hurricane Claudia at us with all her might. The roads were immediately flooded and exceptionally strong winds began to blow, but our sturdy BMW did not waver even once.

independent rating: 8/10

BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport Specs

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

Powering the BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport is a 3.0-litre, straight-six petrol engine and a 25.7kWh battery. With a total output of 482bhp and 700Nm of torque, it would be little surprise to learn that it has some oomph to it. The 0-62 mph acceleration can be accomplished in just 4.8 seconds and the top speed is limited to 155 mph (87 mph in EV mode).

There’s instant power for quick turns of speed for joining motorways or overtaking slower-moving vehicles, and this car will sit comfortably at 70mph, although keep an eye on that speedo as it’s got plenty left in the tank.

Despite its SUV styling with high sides, the X5 is remarkably well balanced on winding country roads, with bundles of grip and minimal body lean, no matter how enthusiastically cornered.

However, it definitely has a softer side for those times when you want to play it cool. The cabin is beautifully quiet, the suspension set-up somehow manages to smooth out our potholed roads and the comfort levels are superb.

Drive modes called Electric, Hybrid and Sport alter the handling and dynamics – no prizes for who has the most fun, and there are paddles to manually change gears for added driver engagement. That said, when the eight-speed automatic gearbox is left to its own devices, time shifts beautifully – and top marks must be given to the steering, which is perfectly weighted with ample driver feedback.

The EV-only range of 62 miles should easily deal with the average daily commute and then there’s the powerful petrol engine that makes the cut seamlessly.

Charging the X5’s 25.7Wh battery from 0-100 percent with a 7.4kW home charger takes four hours and 15 minutes.

Interior, practicality and boot space

The BMW But it is the three meter wheelbase that gives this car such a large cabin area. And that’s great news for passengers, as there’s plenty of room for four adults to sit comfortably or five people to sit comfortably. The front seats are powered, heated and ventilated, and offer a massage function, plus the high seating results in excellent all-round diver visibility – a plus point on a car that’s likely to tackle the dangerous school run.

The interior of the latest BMW X5 is a bit of a mixed bag for me. Yes, it’s filled with high-end fixtures and fittings, and luxurious upholstery crafted from the finest leather. But it’s the overly complicated infotainment set-up that really started to irritate me during my week-long loan. There’s a practical rotary dial for navigating the many on-board features, but it’s all pretty much chatter. I felt like I was spending ages trying to clear the fog from the front screen without removing other passengers from their seats; The simple things in life are not simple in this car.

But the point of concern is that the boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and it is absolutely huge. If you are planning to move house, this is the car for you! It can swallow 500 liters of kit with all seats up, or a whopping 1,720 liters with the split-folding rear seats down. The split-tailgate is a useful feature, as the top half can be opened separately when you need to put a bag in (and not give the dog a chance to get out). Elsewhere, there are plenty of convenient storage options scattered throughout the cabin, including a glovebox that locks, a central cubby, wide door bins with space for bottles, under-seat pockets, front and rear cup holders, a wireless charging pad and a few trays.

With family adventures in mind, the all-wheel drive X5 can tow a braked caravan weighing up to 2.7 tonnes.

Technology, Stereo and Infotainment

The main focal point as you drive is the large, curved display consisting of a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver display. They look really advanced with sharp graphics but, for me, it all boils down to the touchscreen. It takes at least two products to reach the seat heaters and I’ve already mentioned the difficulties in cleaning the screen.

There’s a wealth of on-board tech to explore and the rotary dials and shortcuts work well, but honestly I couldn’t wait to set up Apple CarPlay and Spotify for a more familiar layout. Special mention, however, to the pitch-perfect Harman Kardon sound system, which really was a treat – although it was only available by upgrading to the £6,000 Technology Pack.

If you can get them, the creature comforts are plentiful, and include sat nav, DAB radio, advanced sound system, ambient lighting, Bluetooth and much more besides. Additionally, there’s an excellent voice assistant that can help with many tasks – and save you from having to wade through touchscreens to find them. I found it could help heat the cabin, turn on the ventilated seats, and remove fog from the screen – we were in first-name mode by the end of the week.

Prices and operating costs

With only one version of the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid offered, the pricing structure couldn’t be simpler. Our test car cost £82,255, but like most premium carmakers, the options list seems endless – and certainly at a hefty price. As tested here, and with several packs of optional extras added, the car costs £99,813 – which is (a lot) more than my first house cost.

However, owners can make some savings, especially if in the fleet market, as the carbon emissions figure of 21 g/km results in an attractive nine per cent Benefit in Kind Tax rating. Although the official WLTP-tested fuel efficiency figure tops the 280mpg mark, this can only be achieved if the car’s 62 electric mile range is fully maximized and the battery is regularly topped up.

The first year’s road tax bill will be £110, rising to the standard charge of £195 after 12 months. But, as the X5 exceeds the Government’s Expensive Car Supplement limit of £40k, owners will need to find an extra £425 a year for years two to six. The X5 PHEV, as tested, sits in insurance group 49.

BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport rivals

questions to ask

How long does it take to charge?

The 25.7kWh battery can be charged from zero to 100 percent in 14 hours using a standard three-pin wall socket. This drops to about four hours using a 7.4kWh wallbox, or just under three hours with an 11kW charger. However, installing an 11 kW charger in your home will require three-phase wiring.

How much does it cost – is it worth it?

One look at this BMW and you’ll know it won’t be cheap. There is only one plug-in hybrid version of the X5 and its price starts at £82,255. Of course, that’s before adding any optional extras.

Does BMW replace batteries for free?

The BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport comes with a standard three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, although the battery is covered for six years or 60,000 miles – whichever comes first.

Why trust us?

Our team of motoring experts has decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest electric cars, and our verdicts are tailored with every type of driver in mind. We thoroughly test every car we recommend, so you can be sure our judgments are honest, fair and authentic.

Decision

Battling strong winds and torrential rain, the BMW X5 proved its worth. The elevated driving position, which we often take for granted in SUVs, was extremely beneficial in terrible driving conditions with water-logged roads and exceptionally high spray levels. This car has invincibility.