BMWX5 M

　　

2023 BMW X5 M Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　, rating written byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　It only takes a minute behind the wheel of the 2023 BMW X5 M to dispel any notions that SUVs are boring transport designed for people and cargo. Fire up the 4.4-liter V8 up and the exhaust's low burble will tell you it means business even before you've gotten out of your driveway. Get on it and you're rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. Still not convinced? Well, there's the rather stiff ride quality. A cushy SUV, the X5 M is not. But the overall trade-off to create a high-performance version of the X5 is a worthwhile one.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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) - $108,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　There are rivals to choose from should you find the X5 M not quite to your liking. From Germany alone there's the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S, Audi RS Q8 and Porsche Cayenne. The Maserati Levante and Land Rover Range Rover Sport also offer similar levels of performance and luxury as the X5 M. And if you want something more exclusive, there's the Aston Martin DBX and Lamborghini Urus. Read our test team's Expert Rating below to learn more about the X5 M and how it fares in the class.

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below