BMW X5 xDrive50e – Review

By Liam Bird, September 2024

At what point during the ownership of a vehicle do you consider that vehicle to represent true value for money? By which I mean, or at least I think I mean, when are you genuinely convinced that what you paid for what you’re driving was the right, or fair, amount?

The reason for such cod philosophy is, in part, down to the fact that most weeks in this, my undeniably privileged, position, I get to drive a different vehicle. Some weeks, such is the nature of this bizarre occupation, the vehicle on test comes complete with an astronomically high price tag. Many’s the time I’ve parked something outside of my house only to realise it’s worth more than my house, no doubt its contents too, and the house next door. The very next week, I might well be in something that in total cost less than what was lavished in optional extras alone on what was here the week previous. A certain Italian manufacturer once presented me with a list of goodies, some somewhat dubious in both taste and quality, that had been added to their press demonstrator: it topped £100,000.

Yes, I know… And before you say it: I don’t actually have to pay for the cars I drive – well, not all of them at least. I do own a couple of my own, y’know! Nevertheless, I’d hardly be doing any of this motoring muttering malarkey right if I didn’t question whether or not I thought the asking price suited the car, and vice versa.

“Every inch the premium”

A week or so ago, I took BMW’s X5 xDrive50e M Sport LCI out for a Saturday afternoon’s drive, something that more often than not can equate to a round-route of 200 or so miles. Don’t ever say I don’t put the miles in! And pondered my opening question.

Believe it or not, it’s now over 25 years since BMW launched the X5. And, it must be remembered, BMW refer to the X5 not as a ‘sports utility vehicle’, but rather, a ‘sports activity vehicle.’

I’m in no doubt that sat, as ours was on 21-inch rims and low-profile, very road-orientated tyres, off-road – by which I mean deep into the mud, ruts, and tundra – the X5 probably wouldn’t present much of a challenge to a Range Rover. What this side of a Land Cruiser or G-Wagen can? But how many Range Rover owners actually stray further off-road than their raked gravel driveways anyway? Besides which, I know which one of the two (Range Rover or X5) I’d put my money on for potentially offering the best long-term reliability. That said, on-road, I’m willing to stick my neck out and say there’s very little in it.

Now in its fourth generation, and benefitting from the fitment of a very clever and unobtrusive hybrid system, the X5 feels every inch the premium (Luxury?) SUV. Mid-life improvements saw the X5 xDrive50e gain an extra 95bhp compared with the previous 45e, thanks to some significant upgrades to its electric motor (now 194bhp) and battery (25.7kWh). Combined with BMW’s near-legendary 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine, the plug-in hybrid X5 now produces 483bhp and 516lbft of torque. Claimed (read: lab conditions only) fuel economy has risen to an unbelievable 353mpg, with the electric-only range now claimed to be up to 71.5 miles.

“Well-judged”

Needless to say, on what started out as a dry Saturday afternoon here in the Shropshire Hills, I didn’t get anywhere near those figures. But with both battery and petrol tanks topped up, I made myself comfortable in the X5’s massaging driver’s seat and set course for North Wales.

The hybrid system means you start off on electrons alone; the electric motor is more than capable of hauling the X5’s not-inconsiderable mass with ease. Most of your low-speed manoeuvrings don’t trouble the straight-six either, even if you choose to hold the battery’s charge for later (ULEZ zones, etc.).

Press on a little harder, and the engine joins in almost imperceptibly, and oh-so smoothly; the X5 never feels out of breath. The ride isn’t as floaty as that of the aforementioned Solihull contender, but neither is it overtly sporty as a Porsche Cayenne, or as unnecessarily firm as the regional-manager-done-well’s default Audi Q something-or-other. Everything feels so well judged; comfy but controlled. Despite its size, the X5 can be punted along with ease.

“A sense of satisfaction”

There’s a sense of satisfaction you get when piloting the BMW X5 xDrive50e for hour after hour. You sit in a commanding driving position, in a cabin that combines near bomb-proof build quality, near-faultless ergonomics – touchscreen climate settings aside – and thick leather and soft-touch materials in equal measure.

Double glazing cocoons you from the rabble outside, Google Maps keeps you on course, and DAB or Apple CarPlay keeps you informed or entertained. But above all, everything feels so safe and secure, and you as the driver do too.

An hour or so into my Saturday afternoon drive, the heavens opened and continued to do so. The rain was relentless. In many other so-called premium vehicles, I’d have probably turned around and headed for home, but in the BMW X5 xDrive50e, I simply carried on. I was warm, I was comfortable, and above all, I felt safe. I had total faith in what I was driving.

“Reassuringly capable”

I know that the X5 will never, ever, achieve 313mpg. That’s just an extrapolation of lab data figures, a made-up, hybrid marketing pipe-dream. I also know that after options, “my” X5 cost a whopping £98,904. Get busy with the online configurator, and that figure could easily be higher.

But having driven, to give it its full name, the BMW G05 X5 xDrive50e M Sport LCI through what, so far at least, felt like the storm of the year, I can confirm that in being so reassuringly capable in what it does best, the X5 (G05 X5 xDrive50e M Sport LCI) felt as if it was worth every last penny of its asking price. And if that doesn’t represent value for money, what does?

BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport LCI
Engine: 2,998cc, 6-Cyl, 24V, turbo, petrol, with 48V hybrid assistance
Transmission: 8-speed auto, all-wheel drive.
Power:   483 bhp
Torque: 516 lbft
0-62 mph: 4.8 Sec
Max Speed: 155 mph
CO2: 20 g/km
Electric consumption: 24.5kWh/100km (100km = 62miles)
MPG:  up to… 313mpg (WLTP)
Equivalent all electric range: 71.5 miles
Price: from £78,360