2023 BMW X5 M50i

　　

2023 BMW X5 Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　, rating written byAlex NishimotoVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　If you like the wide selection of BMW SUVs on sale today, you have the X5 to thank. The midsize X5 was the Bavarian automaker's first foray into the luxury SUV space, which was just starting to pick up steam by the late 1990s. BMW has greatly expanded its SUV range since then, with buyers now able to choose from the compact X1 all the way up to the big three-row X7. Yet the 2023 BMW X5 still has its place in the lineup as a multitalented midsize luxury SUV.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW X5 M50i 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

　　$253/mo  for X5 M50i

　　X5 M50i

　　M50i 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $85,400 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The X5 does a lot of things well. It's comfortable and spacious, and it offers loads of in-car tech. You can even get it with a third-row seat, albeit a small one, to give you seven-passenger capacity in a pinch. There are a few engines to pick from as well, from a fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid to a high-performance V8.

　　BMW made a few updates to the X5's available features for 2023. Gesture Control, which allows the driver to use hand gestures to control certain vehicle features, has been dropped as an available feature but an optional wireless smartphone charging pad has been added. A head-up display is now available as a stand-alone option on the xDrive45e and M50i models.

　　Though the BMW X5 was one of the original luxury SUVs, it now competes in a crowded segment. Some of its main competitors include the Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7, Genesis GV80, Lexus RX, Acura MDX and Volvo XC90. Find out in detail where the X5 shines and where it comes up a little short by reading our test team's Expert Rating below.

　　

What's it like to live with?

Seriously considering the BMW X5? Our experts evaluated an xDrive40i for an extended period of time. Read our 2020 BMW X5 xDrive40i long-term road test to learn about our experiences owning and driving this SUV. Note that while we tested a 2020 model, the 2023 X5 is of the same generation and most of our observations still apply.

　　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

8.0/10

　　How does the X5 drive? We tested the xDrive40i. The six-cylinder engine is suitably powerful and responsive enough for the daily commute. Whether you pick this engine or the V8, the X5 is one of the quickest of the non-performance-oriented SUVs available. BMW also offers an optional off-road package that enhances the X5's capability to take on dirt roads and trails.

　　Handling and steering, however, are less impressive. The steering doesn't give you much feel for the road, and the X5 can feel overly soft and floaty when driving around turns unless you engage Sport mode. In more casual driving, the X5 is easy to drive, and its eight-speed transmission makes smooth and quick gearshifts.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the X5? Fitted with its optional air suspension, the X5 rides fairly smoothly, but harsher impacts and pavement seams can still be felt in the cabin. Sport mode is stiffer and transmits more of the road surface into the cabin, but thankfully the X5 isn't ever uncomfortably harsh. At highway speeds, road and wind noise is minimal.

　　The front seats are firm and supportive and have a broad range of adjustability to contour to different body types. Lumbar and upper bolsters are adjustable for cruising or sporty driving. The rear seats are softer and designed for long stints, but they're flat and don't have enough bolstering.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below