2020 BMW X5

The BMW X5 follows the busy territory of SUVs like Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q8 and Land Rover Range Rover. Still, the X5 remains a highly tempting choice among luxury SUV's.

The 2020 BMW X5 comes in two trims the xDrive 40i and the xDrive 50i. The 40i is the base trim that comes equipped with a 3.0 Liter twin turbo Inline 6 engine at a price of $60,700. The 50i is its elder brother that which comes equipped with a 4.4 liter Twin turbo V8.

The base trim is equipped with many standard features such as 2 first row LCD Monitors, Remote Keyless entry, Sensatec Leatherette Seat trim, etc. The 50i comes equipped with all the features as the 40i but also has a couple of additional features too. It is equipped with a SiriusXM AM/FM/HD/Satellite radio and the Sensatec Leatherette Seat trim is replaced by the Vernasca leather Seat trim.

We Recommend

The X5 xDrive40i hits the sweet spot and proves a better base price to add options and packages than xDrive50i. The performance is agreeable and you get a long list of features. The xDrive50i offers enthusiastic performance for speed junkies.

"Of course, it all comes for a price, but the X5 has long been a favorite of ours, and the 2020 model only solidifies our beliefs. If you're coming from an older X5, the new version delivers the strengths with newer technology and even better performance. If you're looking to step into a BMW for the first time, or even just the midsize luxury SUV class, put the new X5 near the top of your list."-Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

Your favorite SUV with the iconic kidney grille comes with two engine options. There is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that puts out 335 horsepower and 380-pound feet of torque. If you crave for more power than the turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine which puts out 456 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque is a heaven-made match for you. The 6 cylinders work in perfect sync to deliver that smacking power smoothly and flawlessly. 

The power is delivered to 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission which transfers powers to all the four wheels. The shifts from ZF sourced automatic transmission are snappy and the power is evenly distributed over the whole rev range. The shifting is smooth and very responsive, which makes this ride an ideal daily-commuter. 

The Range Rover Velar produces the highest amount of horses and comes with a live performance followed by Porsche Cayenne. The BMW X5 and Audi Q8 are somewhat similar in terms of performance.

Acceleration

The BMW X5 xDrive40 with its V6 powertrain can take you to 60 miles an hour in just 5.3 seconds and the V8 powertrain with 456 hp can take you to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Anything which goes 0 to 60 under five seconds can be considered as sports car territory.

All the rivals are somewhat similar in attaining the 60 mph mark and also quarter mile. The BMW X5 and Range Rover Velar top the list followed by Audi Q8 and Porsche Cayenne.

Ride and Handling

The BMW X5 is among the few vehicles which have the performance of the sports sedan and utility of an SUV. The grunt from the twin-turbocharged powertrain is breathtaking and it has got driving dynamics of a sedan. Due to the standard all-wheel-drive it sticks to the tarmac very well and provides a composed ride. Various drive modes, ranging from Eco Pro and Comfort to Sport and Sport Plus alter the driving dynamics of the X5 according to your preference.

The BMW X5 Xdrive40 I features two-axle air suspension and electronically controlled dampers. It is fun to drive and comes with integral active steering in addition to driver assistance systems developed to enhance comfort and luxurious ambiance. The handling is precise and body roll is kept at a minimum on corners. The X5 can blast on straightways and can easily climb a steep hill filled with roots and debris.

Braking

The BMW X5 comes with some of the best brakes in this segment, the pedal is smooth and easy to modulate around town and in heavy traffic. The emergency stops are straight and the vehicle has a minimum nosedive. The BMW X5 takes 117 feet to stop which is above average for this class. The X5 and 8 Series are the first to get BMW's integrated brake-by-wire system, which forms the basis for autonomous braking and other self-driving systems.

The BMW X5 here lags behind most of its competitors in terms of braking performance. The Cayenne posts the most astonishing braking performance with a 60-0 stopping distance of just 105 ft.  

The BMW X5 is pretty much fuel-efficient despite its big size and delivers decent fuel economy figures. The X5 xDrive40i with 3.0 liter 6 cylinder delivers 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The X5 Xdrive50i features a 4.4-liter engine return 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

For comparison, the all-wheel-drive version of the Audi Q8 gets just 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, while the AWD Range rover Velar gets 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The Porsche Cayenne is a segment leader in fuel economy and the X5 bags second spot.

"Despite some admittedly simple nitpicks, mostly with the interior which has overall vastly improved over the years, the 2020 BMW X5 is confident, fun, and only slightly sterile on the roads, but it feels really solid and I even think it looks nice”- Jalopnik

Seating and Comfort

The cabin of the all-new BMW X5 is roomier with the precise build quality and a host of meticulously crafted details. Standard 10.5 inch infotainment screen grows out of the dashboard with controls clearly arranged and set within trim finishers. From digital dials to the placement of the vents to the slight driver-focused dashboard is typical BMW. The material quality feels plush and premium, with adequate use of premium leather and soft-touch materials. 

The front seats are highly supportive and comfortable. Boldly contoured side bolsters provide outstanding lateral support even in extreme handling situations. The rear seats also provide an ample amount of comfort and the third row is optional which adds two more seats. It carries the BMW character very well and remains elegant yet clean. Its two-part tailgate provides easy access to smaller items of luggage and the lower section opens up to create a platform capable of supporting up to 250kg.

Interior Features

• 16-way power front sports seats; including 2-way power side bolsters
• 4-way lumbar support and memory system for driver's seat and steering wheel
• 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats
• SensaTec upholstery
• Fineline stripe brown high-gloss Wood trim
• Anthracite headliner
• Fully finished cargo area with velour carpeting and remote trunk release
• Cargo cover
• Floormats

Infotainment System

The 2020 X5 is equipped with BMW’s standard iDrive 7.0 system infotainment system which can be operated by voice, touchscreen, and iDrive touchpad Controller. Moreover, its Cockpit features two 12.3" displays. Let’s see what all more infotainment features it has, to offer us:

• Anti-theft AM/FM stereo with Radio Data System (RDS)
• CD player pre-wiring
• HiFi Sound System with 10 speakers and 205-watt digital amplifier
• HD Radio with "multicast" FM station reception
• Sirius XM radio

Cargo Capacity

The 2020 BMW X5 offers quite some space to load up your necessities. It has a Cargo volume of 33.9 cu.ft. But this space is where the optional 3^rd seat gets fitted.

Compared to the competition it has a pretty appreciable cargo space when compared to the others in the class. However, the Velar S flaunts more cargo space than the X5.

Slightly larger than before in wheelbase, width, and length, the new X5's proportions are eminently familiar, even if its kidney grille has grown to near-comical proportions. Its skin is pulled tauter over the corners, and the side surfacing adds a bit of interest with a line that kicks up at the rear door, making it look more athletic, but it's far from revolutionary- car and driver

Dimension and Weight

The X5 looks very similar to the previous iteration and sports the iconic kidney grille in the front. The X5 with its chiseled lines and massive meticulously designed curved, this Sports Activity Coupe demands every bit of the attention on the road. Short overhangs and muscular, flared wheel housings accentuate the character of a vehicle that seeks routes off the beaten path. The X5’s wheels range in size from the standard 19 inches to optional 22-inch rollers.

The new X5 is slightly larger than before, growing an inch in length (2.1 inches in the wheelbase) and 2.6 inches in width, though it's roughly the same height as before. Wind turbulence at the front wheels is reduced with the help of aero curtain on the front apron. Minor details like aerodynamically enhanced exterior mirrors and air blades at the rear help to make the lowest drag coefficient value in this segment. The extra hardware of the battery pack adds 200 pounds to the total curb weight.

The Audi Q8 cast the largest shadow and in turn, comes with more interior space than other rivals. The BMW bags the second spot followed by Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Velar.

Exterior Features

• V Spoke light alloy wheels (Style 734), 19 x 9.0; and 265/50 run-flat all-season tires
• Automatic high beams
• Adaptive LED Headlights
• LED fog lights
• Power-folding, heated side mirrors
• Satin Aluminum roof rails
• Roof spoiler with center brake light
• Chrome exhaust tips
• Satin Aluminum exterior trim
• Non-metallic paint
• High-gloss black Aero Blades

The 2020 BMW X5 is equipped with the BMW's Active Protection System which can predicts accidents and prepares the car for it by automatically pretensioning safety belts, closing windows and moon roof, and activating post-crash braking. It is also equipped with many other safety features such as:

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Driver's and passenger's front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with advanced technology: dual-threshold, dual-stage deployment; and front-passenger-seat sensors designed to prevent unnecessary airbag deployment
• 3-point safety belts and head restraints at all seating positions
• Front safety belts with automatic pretensioners
• Acoustic safety-belt warning
• Automatic-locking retractors (ALR) on all passenger-seat safety belts
• LATCH attachments for child-restraint safety installation
• Front and rear Head Protection System (HPS) with side-impact airbags
• BMW's Active Protection System
• Rollover sensor
• Adaptive Brakelights
• Programmable LED Daytime Running Lights
• Impact sensor
• Active Driving Assistant
• Central locking system on a driver and front passenger doors (leaves fuel filler door unlocked)
• Anti-theft alarm system
• BMW Assist eCall

2020 BMW X5 vs Audi Q8

It’s the first time for the Q8 into the market and it is already facing tough competition from the 2020 BMW X5. It beats the Audi Q8 in most of the aspects and also is as advanced as the Q8. It is also quite less expensive than Q8. After taking all these points into consideration it looks like the X5 becomes the preferred choice of most of the consumers.

2020 BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne

 The Porsche Cayenne might be old but the BMW x5 is a bit older. It might also look dated to some. Still, it stands above Cayenne in all aspects. It is a pleasant combination of luxury and performance. Moreover, the X5 also offers third-row seating as an optional addition. Although it looks Quite dated its low price, high power and performance and abundant features make it a better option.

2020 BMW X5 vs Land Rover Range Rover Velar S

The Land Rover Range Rover Velar was introduced as the mid-range series of the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport. It has been in the market for just a couple of years and has already taken a perfect position. When compared to the BMW X5, its higher trim fits to become a perfect competition. Although it is more powerful due to the supercharged V6 engine, it still performs on par with the X5 when it comes to acceleration. Also, the X5 is the most fuel efficient in the section and has better and roomy interiors than the Velar. Also, its less price makes it a better alternative.

The X5 enters its 4^th generation this year and with a majority of upgrades takes a stand as one of the market leaders. It is economic and also fuel-efficient apart from being quite a performer. Moreover, it comes with quite abundant and advanced luxury features. This might be one of the nearest SUV to the ideal SUV you are looking for. The BMW X5 is a premium midsize crossover that offers something virtually to everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the BMW X5 have a third row? 

No, the BMW X5 does not have a third row as standard, however,  there is an optional third-row seating package that expands the seating capacity to seven instead of five.

Does the BMW X5 offer parking assist in all trims? 

Yes, parking assist is a standard feature across all X5 trims. 

Does the X5 have a sunroof?

Yes, the X5 has a sunroof.