2021 BMW X5 M Review

　　

2021 BMW X5 M Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　Is it even shocking anymore when an SUV can accelerate to 60 mph in fewer than 4 seconds? Maybe a little. There are only a few SUVs capable of sports car numbers, and the 2021 BMW X5 M happens to be one of them. A high-performance variant of the midsize X5 SUV, the X5 M comes with a 600-horsepower V8 and rips from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. The X5 M also gets suspension, brake and other drivetrain enhancements over the regular X5 to elevate the driving experience to new heights.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X5 M 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$310/mo  for X5 M Base

　　X5 M Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $105,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Other mega-performance luxury SUVs include the Jaguar F-Pace SVR, Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Read our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth analysis of the X5 M's performance, comfort, utility and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the X5 M drive? The X5 M is hilariously quick, with a 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds. That's faster than most sports cars we test at zzdcar, much less a 2.5-ton luxury SUV. That's thanks to the M5 sedan's twin-turbo V8. That said, it's not hairy to drive. It settles down in the city or on the highway. Braking performance is similar, with sports car-like numbers in testing and smooth operation around town.

　　It handles well too, with a mostly stable suspension and decent steering, though some drivers may find both too stiff and heavy. While that weight provides good feedback on the road, it can make parking in tight spaces a bit of a chore. Our biggest complaint is the overabundance of drive modes. There are six settings for the transmission, along with multiple modes for the brakes, engine and suspension. It seems needlessly complicated.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the X5 M? The X5 M's front sport seats offer plenty of adjustment. It may take some time to set the driver's seat up just right, but you'll be glad you took the time. The padding is firm and supportive, with good side and thigh bolstering. Unfortunately, the ride quality isn't quite as stellar. The X5 M is a bit too stiff even in its most comfortable setting. It won't break your back, but you'll feel most bumps and road imperfections.

　　There is also slightly more road noise than we'd prefer from an SUV in this class. On rough pavement, there's a constant drone from the tires. The exhaust note is always present too, though we're not going to complain about a V8's sound in an M-tuned vehicle. On the other hand, the climate control system is quiet and works fairly seamlessly.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The driver-focused interior is typical BMW, with most of the controls within easy reach of the driver. The vast array of buttons and knobs can look overwhelming, but most of it is fairly straightforward, though things such as the trip odometer seem needlessly hidden. A quick look through the owner's manual goes a long way, and BMW's iDrive infotainment system does allow for some customization.

　　Getting in and out is fairly easy thanks to the wide doors and relatively low ride height. The seats are set somewhat inward and make the step inside larger than you expect. The excellent driving position is upright and comfortable, though large pillars and wide mirrors make it somewhat difficult to see your blind spots. Two adults will fit comfortably across the rear seat, but three will not.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? BMW's iDrive system is one of the best around. The learning curve might be steep for new users, but it quickly becomes second nature. Many major controls have hard buttons on the center console. You can also use BMW's voice controls to do things such as input navigation or make a call. Syncing a smartphone is easy, and Bluetooth reconnects quickly. The X5 M has wireless Apple CarPlay, which means you can sync up your phone's apps to the infotainment system without having to use a cord. At the time of our testing, the X5 M didn't offer Android Auto integration.

　　The X5 M does come with an extensive number of driver safety features, from surround-view cameras to adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. For the most part these systems work well, but the lane-centering system could use some refinement.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The BMW X5 M's cargo is pretty big as far as midsize luxury SUVs go. The floor is low and wide and has multiple tie-downs. The power-folding split tailgate helps keep items from rolling out when the hatch is opened too. Interior storage isn't quite as practical, though it is about on par for the class. We like the deep door pockets that have large bottle holders, but we wish there was a bit more storage elsewhere in the center console.

　　All three second-row seats have car seat anchors, though it's likely too tight to fit three car seats across. Still, we like the flexibility all those anchors offer. The outboard anchors are easily marked and accessible, and the doors open wide enough to make installing a seat relatively easy.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the X5 M gets 15 mpg combined (13 city/18 highway). That's at the bottom of the class and behind many direct competitors such as the Maserati Levante Trofeo and Porsche Cayenne Turbo. We don't expect these performance SUVs to be thrifty, but be prepared to pay for frequent fill-ups.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the X5 M a good value? BMW, like other German automakers, has a well-deserved reputation for build quality. The interior is appointed with high-quality materials, including leather covering the seats, armrest and dashboard. Even the plastics look better than what you'll find on more mainstream vehicles. The fit and finish is equally impressive, with tight panel gaps and no shakes or rattles to speak of.

　　BMW offers four-year/50,000-mile limited and drivetrain warranties, which are average for the class. You also get three years/36,000 miles of free maintenance, besting all the X5 M's rivals.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　While the X5 M can't quite hide its size and weight, it's still got tons of charm, especially if you accept that it's not going to perform as well as an M5 sedan. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 makes 617 horsepower in Competition form, helping this bruising SUV scoot with a verve that will put a smile on your face.

　　

Which X5 M does zzdcar recommend?

While it's tempting to jump ahead to the most extreme version, the standard X5 M is frighteningly capable in its own right. Unless you plan to regularly lap your SUV on a racetrack, the difference in performance between it and the BMW X5 M Competition is minimal. Considering adding the Driving Assistance Professional package for its enhanced adaptive cruise control or the Executive package with ventilated and massaging seats if you're feeling fancy.

　　

2021 BMW X5 M models

The BMW X5 M is a high-performance luxury SUV available in two trims: X5 M and X5 M Competition. Both are powered by a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard. Standout features include:

　　X5 M

　　Comes well equipped with:

　　Turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine (600 horsepower, 553 lb-ft of torque) Adaptive LED headlights 21-inch wheels Adaptive sport suspension Panoramic sunroof Power liftgate Four-zone automatic climate control Heated front seats, armrests and steering wheelStandard tech features include:

　　Head-up display Digital instrument display 12.3-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system Wireless charging pad Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the X5 M and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)The X5 M also has:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)X5 M Competition

　　The most raucous version of the X5 M, the BMW X5 M Competition adds the following:

　　Upgraded turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine (617 hp, 553 lb-ft) Sport exhaust system Gloss-black exterior trim enhancements BMW offers a few options for the X5 M. Highlights include:

　　Executive package

　　Upgraded headlights Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut) Rear window sunshades Front seats with ventilation and massageDriving Assistance Professional package

　　Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)

　　

2021 X5 M Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$105,100
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	15 MPG
Cost to Drive	$310/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	33.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles