2024 BMW X5 SUV

　　

2024 BMW X5 Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　If you're looking for a midsize luxury SUV, you are spoiled for choice as seemingly every manufacturer from Audi to Cadillac to Maserati offers one. But the 2024 BMW X5 is a standout in its class thanks to a masterful blend of power, performance and utility. It offers loads of standard features and dozens of options for personalizing, from blue brake calipers to heated armrests.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 BMW X5 sDrive40i 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 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

　　$191/mo  for X5 sDrive40i

　　X5 sDrive40i

　　sDrive40i 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $65,200 MSRPxDrive40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $67,500 MSRPxDrive50e 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $72,500 MSRPM60i 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $89,300 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The 2024 BMW X5 features a round of upgrades that are about as close to a full redesign as you can get without kicking off a new generation. Restyled headlights and other elements around the familiar "kidney grille" design are among some of the X5's styling updates, as are taillights with fiber-optic elements for a more striking look at night. You can even opt for an illuminated kidney grille surround. Other changes include revised six-cylinder engines that boost the 40i and the 50e plug-in hybrid models with more power and fuel efficiency.

　　Inside, a new glass panel spans more than half of the dashboard and unifies the digital instrument panel with the center infotainment screen. The latter partition, about 15 inches diagonally, serves as the interface for BMW's latest iDrive 8 software and its advanced voice control system. We're skeptical of touchscreen systems that offer "virtual" buttons instead of conventional knobs and switches, as does the new X5, but we'll reserve judgment until we can test one.

　　Wireless charging now comes standard, but thus far, the X5 has eliminated one of its earlier selling points: an optional third row. The row itself was cramped and flat but at least offered families an option. So far, BMW hasn't confirmed whether the third row is gone for good, but if so, it cedes an advantage to rivals like the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Genesis GV80. All offer a third row as standard fare or as an option. Still, the X5 was already an appealing luxury SUV. Upgrades in its technology, power, efficiency and styling for 2024 make it an even more attractive choice.

　　

What’s it like to live with?

Our experts evaluated a 2020 BMW xDrive40i for an extended period, which you can read about here. Note that while we tested a 2020 model, the 2024 X5 is of the same generation. And while this latest model has power and technology upgrades, many of our observations still apply.

　　

Which X5 does zzdcar recommend?

The X5 offers just four trim levels, but they cover a wide range: rear-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive, hybrid and high-performance. We like the xDrive40i best for its mix of standard features and options, its smooth and robust six-cylinder, and the sure-footed nature of its all-wheel drive.

　　

BMW X5 models

The 2024 BMW X5 is available in four trim levels: The sDrive40i has rear-wheel drive, while the xDrive40i, xDrive50e and M60i come with all-wheel drive. The high-performance X5 M is reviewed separately.

　　sDrive40i and xDrive40i

　　The sDrive40i and xDrive40i are essentially identical except that the latter comes with all-wheel drive. Standard features include:

　　Turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (375 horsepower, 383 lb-ft torque) Eight-speed automatic transmission LED headlights with automatic high beams Adaptive suspension dampers 20-inch wheels Panoramic sunroof Power-folding, heated side mirrors Keyless entry with push-button start Synthetic leather upholstery Power-adjustable, heated front seats Dual-zone automatic climate control Leather-wrapped steering wheel Customizable LED ambient cabin lighting 12.3-inch digital instrument display 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen Navigation system Wireless device charger Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration 5G Wi-Fi hotspot 10-speaker audio systemStandard safety and driver assist systems include:

　　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 warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Automatic high beamsIndividual options on these trims include:

　　21- and 22-inch wheels Air suspension Upgraded M Sport brakes Remote engine start Leather upholstery Sport-bolstered front seats with additional adjustments and massage feature Rear heated seats Heated steering wheel and armrests Four-zone automatic climate control Head-up display 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound systemOptional packages include:

　　M Sport package Choice of 20-, 21- or 22-inch wheels Adaptive sport suspension M Sport steering wheel M Sport exterior trim M Sport Professional package Upgraded sport exhaust system M Sport brakes with red or blue calipers Illuminated kidney grille Gloss black exterior trim Premium package Remote engine start Adaptive headlights Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Gesture control of infotainment and vehicle functions 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system Executive package Premium package features Panoramic glass roof with embedded LED lighting Soft-close doors Glass-trimmed shifter and infotainment knob Manual rear window shades Climate Comfort package Ventilated front seats Heated front armrests, steering wheel and rear seats Four-zone automatic climate control Driving Assistance Professional package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the X5 and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance) Emergency stop assist (can bring the BMW to a stop in the event of a medical emergency) Front cross-traffic warning Hands-free highway driving Parking Assistance package Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the X5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) xDrive50e

　　The xDrive50e is a plug-in hybrid powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder engine, electric motors and a rechargeable battery pack. With a full charge, the xDrive50e can cover an EPA-estimated 40 miles of all-electric driving. When the battery is discharged, the xDrive50e operates as a regular gas-electric hybrid vehicle. Total system output is 483 hp and 516 lb-ft. The xDrive50e's features and options generally mirror those on the sDrive40i and xDrive40i trims.

　　M60i

　　The X5 M60i is an M Sport-tuned version, offering higher performance than the other trims but without requiring full commitment to the X5 M model. It's powered by a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 (523 hp, 553 lb-ft) and comes standard with all-wheel drive. It's equipped similar to the other X5 trims but replaces or enhances several features. Highlights include:

　　20-inch wheels M Sport-tuned adaptive suspension M Sport differential Rear-wheel steering M Sport exhaust M Sport brakes M Sport steering wheelOptions are also similar to other X5 models, but a few are exclusive to the M60i, including:

　　Adaptive M Suspension Professional (enhanced with anti-body roll and improved handling) Leather-wrapped dashboard 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound systemThere's also the M60i Competition, which is more a bundle of performance upgrades rather than a distinct trim level. Power jumps to 617 hp, and additional performance comes from upgraded steering and suspension tuning and a Track driving mode. Other enhancements include Merino leather upholstery and carbon-fiber interior trim.

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