2024 BMW X5

The BMW X5 is one of America’s best-selling luxury SUVs for good reasons. It’s a well-rounded SUV with a spacious, luxurious cabin and the engaging driving experience you expect from a BMW. It gets a nice mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 model year. It includes updated styling inside and out, enhanced engines, and new technology, including the BMW Curved Display and the Highway Assistant hands-free driving system. In the competitive field of midsize luxury SUVs, it primarily competes with the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching this generation of midsize luxury SUVs, including the 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid seen here in Brooklyn Grey Metallic with an all-in sticker price of $87,745 (including about $14,000 worth of options).

The BMW X5 sees some a wide range of improvements for the 2024 model year. Front and rear styling changes include a new light signature and a slightly revised kidney grille. Inside, the seats and dash now feature leather-like Sensafin upholstery as standard, and a high-tech BMW Curved Display dominates the dash. In addition to BMW’s latest infotainment system, iDrive 8, the X5 features a Highway Assist function that allows for hands-free driving on some highways.

All three engines available under the hood are enhanced for 2024. The standard 6-cylinder engine gets a significant boost of an extra 40 horsepower, and BMW claims the optional V8 has been reworked, but power and torque ratings are unchanged.

The plug-in hybrid also significantly improves performance with almost 100 more horsepower than the outgoing hybrid. It also ups all-electric range to an estimated 40 miles.

The X5 has a higher starting price than the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and Audi Q7. Some more affordable options in midsize luxury SUVs include the Genesis GV80, Lexus RX, and Lincoln Aviator.

Before buying an X5, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. BMW X5 resale value tends to fall below average for the segment.

All three engines have been enhanced for 2024, so we expect the latest X5 to be even more enjoyable to drive. In our experience, the standard turbocharged 6-cylinder delivers lively acceleration, and the enthusiast in us enjoyed the drive. A well-tuned chassis makes it more agile than you might expect for a midsize SUV.

The V8 in the M60i model gives the X5 quicker acceleration, and we love the satisfying exhaust note that only a V8 can deliver. It remains agile for its size and comes with improvements to the suspension, brakes, and differential so it can handle the extra power with poise.

We can’t say much about the improved plug-in hybrid powertrain compared to the previous hybrid model since the power and torque numbers have improved so significantly. We’ll update this review as soon as we spend some time behind the wheel.

The X5’s interior has forever been luxuriously business-like, reflecting the brand’s simultaneously sporty and premium heritage. Fit, finish, and materials are all top-notch, even in entry-priced models.

The cabin gets sleeker and more contemporary for 2024, an overhaul dominated by the addition of a giant curved display that spans half the cabin and includes a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster immediately ahead of the driver, plus an even larger 14.9-inch touchscreen. A tall, traditional transmission selector has been replaced by a sleeker toggle design.

The X5 provides ample room for passengers and cargo alike. It’s also available with a small, just-in-case third row of seats, which can be handy for families who only occasionally need room for more than five people. Those who need 3-row capacity on a daily or weekly basis would be much better served by the larger BMW X7.

The exterior of the X5 gets a tasteful refresh for 2024. It has stylish new headlights and taillights and a slightly revised kidney grille, which can now be illuminated. The optional M Sport Package (standard on the M60i) gives it a sportier look while maintaining its classy subtlety.

In terms of size, the X5 is in line with the luxury midsize SUV class. Its dimensions resemble the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and Genesis GV80. It’s a bit smaller than rivals with standard 3-row seating like the Audi Q7, Acura MDX, and Lincoln Aviator.

Strong standard engine
The standard turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine gets an improvement for 2024. It now makes 375 horsepower, and a mild-hybrid system gives it extra torque. This is one of the most potent base engines in this competitive class.

BMW Curved Display
The new BMW Curved Display adorns the dash of the X5 with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment system in one beautiful display.

M Sport Package
The available M Sport Package enhances the X5’s already athletic posture with unique front and rear fascias, gloss black roof rails, and Shadowline trim. An M Sport Professional Package adds more black exterior trim, red or blue paint calipers, and an M Sport exhaust system.

Driving Assistant Professional Package
This option package does what its name implies by adding many driving assistance tech features. It bundles extended traffic jam assist, full-speed adaptive cruise control, active lane-keeping assistant, and the Highway Assistant feature, which allows for hands-free driving on some highways.

Plug-in hybrid xDrive50e
The plug-in hybrid version of the X5 is now rated to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone, and has more power, too.

Mighty M60i
The V8-powered M60i is a performance SUV that drives like a sport sedan. It makes 523 horsepower and comes with performance equipment like an adaptive M suspension system, M Sport brakes, and an M steering wheel.

The 2024 BMW X5 lineup features a range of powertrain options.

Powerful Base Engine

A turbocharged 6-cylinder engine powers the X5 models with “40i” in the name. This engine is the best choice for most drivers. It’s an improved version of the old X5 base engine, making more power and torque. It also has a 48V mild-hybrid system, which provides small gains in efficiency and torque.

The sDrive40i has rear-wheel drive, and the xDrive40i has all-wheel drive. They both employ an 8-speed automatic transmission.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine
375 horsepower @ 5,200-6,250 rpm
398 lb-ft of torque @ 1,850-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway combined fuel economy: 25 mpg

Plug-in Hybrid

The X5 xDrive50e uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain based on the standard turbocharged 6-cylinder engine. Adding electricity to the mix significantly improves power and torque, while allowing the X5 to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone, according to BMW.

All-wheel drive comes standard on the plug-in hybrid X5.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine + electric motor
483 horsepower combined
516 lb-ft of torque combined
All-electric range: 40 miles
EPA city/highway combined fuel economy: 58 MPGe in electric mode, 22 mpg in hybrid mode

Mighty V8

Power for the M60i xDrive comes from a turbocharged V8 engine delivering a whopping 523 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds. It comes with a hefty price premium over the base 6-cylinder engine, but it’s worth it if you crave serious performance in a luxury SUV.

4.4-liter turbocharged V8
523 horsepower @ 5,500-6,000 rpm
553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,600 rpm
EPA city/highway combined fuel economy: 19 mpg

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The 2024 BMW X5 is backed by a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and powertrain warranty. This coverage is average for a luxury brand.

Safety

The 2024 BMW X5 received four of five stars in its overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, standard is BMW’s Active Driving Assistant with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, front-rear park assist, and more.