BMW X5 review

Interior

Dashboard & tech

The inside of the BMW X5 is a masterclass in quality and user-friendly design. The dashboard is unmistakably BMW, with a driver-focused layout and a wide infotainment screen sitting proudly on top. The fit and finish are exceptional, with high-quality materials used everywhere you look and touch. It feels incredibly solid and luxurious.

The star of the show is BMW's iDrive infotainment system. Controlled by a rotary dial on the centre console, it's one of the most intuitive and easy-to-use systems on the market. It means no grubby fingerprints on the screen and you can operate it without taking your eyes off the road. It’s a beautifully crafted and tech-filled cabin that makes every journey feel a bit special.

Comfort

The X5 is a supremely comfortable car, designed to make long journeys feel effortless. The driving position is fantastic, and the seats are supportive and comfortable, even after several hours behind the wheel. The cabin is incredibly quiet and refined, isolating you from wind and road noise.

It strikes a great balance between a comfortable ride and sharp handling. The standard suspension does a brilliant job of soaking up bumps, while the optional adaptive suspension offers an even plusher ride. It's a wonderfully relaxing car to travel in, for both the driver and the passengers.

Quality

BMW has a reputation for building high-quality, premium cars, and the X5 is a perfect example of this. The build quality is little short of excellent. Every switch clicks with a satisfying precision, the leather feels soft and expensive, and everything feels like it has been engineered to last a lifetime. It’s this feeling of quality and solidity that really sets the X5 apart from many of its rivals and helps to justify its premium price tag.

Practicality & boot space

Interior space

As a large SUV, you’d expect the X5 to be practical, and it doesn't disappoint. There’s a huge amount of space inside for the whole family. Those in the front have plenty of room to get comfortable, and passengers in the back are treated to generous amounts of head and legroom.

Many X5s are fitted with an optional third row of seats, turning it into a seven-seater. As with most cars of this type, these rearmost seats are best suited for children or for adults on short journeys, as space is quite tight. But for a growing family, that extra flexibility can be a real game-changer.

Boot space

The boot in the BMW X5 is massive. In the standard five-seat configuration, you get a huge 650 litres of space, which is more than enough for holiday luggage, sports equipment, or the biggest of weekly shops.

If you need to carry even larger items, folding the middle row of seats down opens up a van-like 1,870 litres of space. It’s a very practical car that’s more than up to the task of handling the tough demands of family life.

Driving

Driving experience

This is where the BMW X5 really shines. For such a large and heavy car, it drives with incredible agility and precision. It feels more like a sporty saloon than a high-riding SUV, with sharp steering, excellent body control, and a real sense of fun on a winding road.

It manages to be both comfortable and engaging, which is a very difficult trick to pull off. All models (except the entry-level 25d) come with BMW’s xDrive four-wheel-drive system, which provides brilliant grip and confidence in all weather conditions. It’s a car that proves you don’t have to sacrifice driving pleasure for practicality.

Performance

There’s a great range of powerful and efficient engines available for the X5. The most popular choices are the brilliant diesel engines. The range kicks off with the four-cylinder 25d, but most buyers opt for the superb 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesels, available as the 30d (255bhp) and the more powerful 40d (308bhp). There’s even a high-performance M50d with a massive 376bhp.

If you prefer petrol power, there are V8 options for incredible performance, as well as a clever xDrive40e plug-in hybrid model that combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for super-low running costs on short journeys.

Running costs

Fuel economy & CO2 emissions

For such a large and heavy car, the diesel-powered X5 models are surprisingly economical. The most efficient diesel can officially achieve over 52mpg, although you’re unlikely to match that in real-world driving. The petrol and high-performance models are, as you’d expect, much thirstier.

The plug-in hybrid xDrive40e model is the star for low running costs, with an official fuel economy figure of 83.1mpg and an electric-only range of up to 19 miles. It’s a great choice if you have a short commute and can charge it regularly.

Value for money

The BMW X5 is a premium car with a premium price tag. The list of optional extras is long and expensive, so it’s easy to spend a lot of money. However, the X5 is a very desirable car and it holds its value well for a large SUV. This is great news for owners, as it means you’ll get more of your money back when you come to sell it. As a used buy, it offers a huge amount of luxury, performance, and practicality for the money.

Reliability & Warranty

The X5 is a complex car, but it has a generally good reputation for reliability. Some owners have reported issues, mostly with electrical systems, but the engines and mechanical parts are considered to be very robust. As with any premium car, parts and repairs can be expensive, so it’s vital to check for a full and complete service history. From new, all BMWs come with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

Safety

Safety features

The BMW X5 is a very safe car. It was awarded the maximum five-star rating when it was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, with excellent scores for protecting both adult and child occupants.

All models come with a generous amount of standard safety equipment, including front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, and multiple airbags. A reversing camera is also standard, which is a huge help when parking such a large car.

Trims & Engines

Trim levels

The X5 range is mainly structured around two core trim levels.

SE: The entry-level model is very well equipped. It comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, satellite navigation, automatic lights and wipers, and a powered tailgate.

M Sport: This is the most popular trim. It adds a sporty body kit, larger 20-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, and adaptive suspension for an even sharper driving experience.

M Performance / M: The high-performance M50d and X5 M models get their own unique specifications, with bespoke styling, even larger wheels, and a host of performance-enhancing upgrades.

Engines

There’s a wide choice of powerful diesel, petrol, and hybrid engines.

25d: The entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 228bhp.30d: A superb 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel with 255bhp. The most popular choice.40d: A more powerful version of the 3.0-litre diesel, producing 308bhp.M50d: A high-performance diesel with three turbochargers and 376bhp.50i / X5 M: High-performance 4.4-litre V8 petrol engines with 443bhp and 567bhp respectively.xDrive40e: A plug-in hybrid that combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a total of 309bhp and excellent short-range economy.