What Is the 2024 BMW X5?
The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury SUV with seats for five people. The base engine is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder that makes 375 horsepower and can be had with rear-wheel drive (sDrive40i) or all-wheel drive (xDrive40i). Other powertrains come solely with AWD, including the M60i’s 523-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 and the xDrive50e plug-in hybrid’s 483-hp setup that brings an EPA-estimated 40 miles of electric-only driving range. Sitting atop the lineup is the high-performance X5 M, which has 617 hp and track-tuned components. All X5s have an eight-speed automatic transmission. Competitors include the Audi Q7, Genesis GV80, Land Rover Range Rover Sport and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
What’s New on the 2024 BMW X5?
The X5 undergoes an extensive refresh that includes updated exterior styling, hybridized powertrains, revised interiors, new tech features, and a couple of renamed and upgraded trims. The gasoline powertrains get a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, and output of the entry-level turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine has been bumped from 335 hp to 375. Despite a name change from M50i to M60i, the M60i’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 stands pat at 523 hp. The high-performance X5 M is now offered solely in top-line Competition form, powered by a 617-hp version of the twin-turbo V-8. The xDrive50e PHEV variant gets a 94-hp bump, to 483, and now provides 40 miles of estimated electric driving range versus 30 miles in the xDrive45e it replaces. Every X5 gets a freshened interior with BMW’s Curved Display, a 12.3-inch digital gauge panel paired with a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, the latest version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment software and new ambient lighting features. The previously optional (and rather cramped) third-row seat has been discontinued, so all X5s now seat five people.
What Features in the 2024 BMW X5 Are Most Important?
Standard features include:
- 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
- 14.9-inch multimedia screen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Five USB ports
- Navigation
- Panoramic moonroof
- 40/20/40-split, second-row seat
- Forward collision warning
- Blind spot warning
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic high-beam headlights
Available features include:
- Remote start
- Head-up display
- 360-degree camera system
- Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound stereo
- Quad-zone climate control
- Interior ambient lighting
- Low-speed hands-free driving system
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated front and second-row seats
- Ventilated and massaging front seats
Should I Buy the 2024 BMW X5?
The X5’s broad range of available powertrains makes it suitable for a variety of preferences and budgets. Regardless of the powertrain under its hood, the X5 boasts high-quality cabin materials, an excellent balance of ride quality and handling prowess, decent cargo volume and ample passenger space. However, we’ve also found some of the active driver aids to be overly sensitive and distracting.
