Used 2023 BMW X5

You have many choices in midsize luxury SUVs, and the BMW X5 is one of the best. It has the driving dynamics you’d expect from BMW with the practicality of a roomy SUV. If you like the idea of an SUV that drives like a sports sedan, few fit the bill like the X5. Several powertrain choices, individual options, and option packages make for a lot of customizability in the X5 lineup. It competes with other heavy-hitters in this segment like the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Audi Q7, and Land Rover Range Rover Velar.

Some luxury SUVs prioritize off-road capabilities, and some offer driving serenity without much excitement, but the BMW X5 is among the sportiest SUVs in its class. If you’re looking for a practical luxury SUV with the satisfying driving dynamics of a sports sedan, the BMW X5 delivers without much compromise.

Even the base engine of the X5 gives it plenty of grunt for most drivers. It’s a punchy turbocharged inline-6 with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

Drivers looking for extra muscle will be interested in the available twin-turbo V8. It gives the X5 quicker acceleration while retaining pretty agile handling considering the size and weight of this SUV. You won’t get bored with the M50i, but the X5 M is the ultimate in BMW SUV performance, especially if you add the Competition Package.

There’s also a plug-in hybrid option that offers pretty similar performance as the base engine but with more horsepower. It also has an all-electric drive mode and can travel up to 30 miles on electricity alone.

The inside of the BMW X5 is luxurious and driver-centric. The interior design is conservative but dignified and uses premium materials. The overall fit and finish is excellent, even in the base model.

The standard 2-row configuration has roomy seating, but the optional third row is very tight. If you’re looking for a roomy 3-row luxury SUV, consider the bigger BMW X7. Cargo space is generous as long as there isn’t a third row of seats in the way.

There’s a lot of customizability in this interior. On top of a long list of comfort and tech features, you can change the look and feel of the interior with different leather options, various wood and aluminum interior trims, and even an Alcantara headliner.

If you want an SUV that looks like a BMW, the styling of the X5 won’t disappoint. Like the interior, the exterior styling is pretty conservative, but we certainly wouldn’t call it boring. It has the iconic BMW kidney grille and a light signature that’s distinctive of the brand’s design language.

There’s some nice visual variety in the model range of the X5. For example, any model with “M” in its name has a sportier look to match the V8 under the hood. For a sporty-looking 6-cylinder model, the M Sport Package adds Shadowline exterior trim, an aerodynamic body kit, unique wheels, and some real performance upgrades like Adaptive M Suspension.

The size of the BMW X5 is in line with the midsize luxury SUV class. It’s about the same size as the Lexus RX, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. The X5 is a bit smaller than SUVs in this segment with standard 3-row seating like the Audi Q7, Lincoln Aviator, and Acura MDX.

DRIVING ASSISTANCE PROFESSIONAL PACKAGE
This option package is easy to recommend. It adds many desirable driving assistance tech features like extended traffic jam assist, full-speed adaptive cruise control, active lane-keeping assistant, evasion assistant, and more.

AVAILABLE TWIN-TURBO V8
This stellar engine is available in three different tunings. The M50i delivers turbo V8 power at a relatively modest price, the X5 M turns it up to 600 horsepower, and adding the Competition Package adds another 17 horsepower for peak performance in a BMW SUV.

Standard features are pretty generous in the base X5 sDrive40i. For starters, the standard powertrain is a satisfying turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels.

Standard features include a panoramic moonroof, power-adjustable sport front seats, ambient interior lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, the Live Cockpit Pro digital gauge cluster, and full LED lighting.

Standard safety tech features in the X5 include front and rear parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive headlights, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and driver drowsiness monitoring.

The standard infotainment system is a 12.3-inch screen loaded with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, and a 10-speaker audio system. You also get five USB ports.

One of the most popular options for the BMW X5 is all-wheel drive, which BMW calls xDrive. Besides the addition of AWD, the xDrive40i model is pretty much the same as the base sDrive40i trim. The xDrive45e also comes with a similar list of standard and available equipment, the big difference being the plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Many individual options and option packages let you customize your X5. The easiest option package to recommend is the Driving Assistance Professional Package, which adds extended traffic jam assistant, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic lane change, evasion assistant, and front cross-traffic alert.

A Premium Package adds remote start, a head-up display, and wireless phone charging, while the fancier Executive Package further adds the panoramic Sky Lounge LED roof, rear sun shades, glass control knobs, and Laserlight LED headlights.

Drivers looking for a sporty 6-cylinder luxury SUV will like the M Sport Package. On top of an adaptive M suspension, you get a sporty appearance package inside and out with a few different choices of wheels and interior trim.

The V8-powered M50i is for the driver who wants a muscular luxury SUV while keeping the price tag under the $100,000 mark. On top of the engine upgrade, it has M Sport-tuned exhaust, brakes, differential, transmission, and an adaptive M suspension. The available Dynamic Handling Package adds the Adaptive M Suspension Professional, active roll stabilization, and integral active steering to make it drive even more like a sports car.

Peak performance comes from the X5 M. The Competition Package turns up the power to 617 hp and adds high-gloss black trim, a Merino leather interior with more “M” branding, and unique wheels.

There’s a lot of mechanical variety under the hood of the BMW X5. The base engine is a satisfying turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-6, and there’s a plug-in hybrid variant available that adds an electric drive motor.

There are three twin-turbo V8 options for the X5: the M50i, X5 M, and X5 M Competition. The more powerful it gets, the more expensive and less fuel-efficient it also becomes. The M50i is the sweet spot for the driver looking for rip-roaring performance in a practical luxury SUV without too much pain at the fuel pump.

The base sDrive40i is RWD, and the xDrive40i is AWD. Every other X5 has standard AWD. A quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission delivers power to the wheels in every X5.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (40i models)
335 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
330 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/26 mpg (RWD), 21/25 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 + electric motor (xDrive45e)
389 horsepower combined
331 lb-ft torque combined
All-electric range: 30 miles
EPA combined fuel economy: 50 MPGe / 20 mpg

4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (M50i)
523 horsepower @ 5,500-6,000 rpm
553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 mpg

4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (X5 M)
600 horsepower (X5 M), 617 horsepower (X5 M Competition) @ 6,000 rpm
553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-5,860 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 mpg