The BMW X5 was the first SUV ever built by the German luxury automaker and among the first high-end midsize sport utility vehicles when it arrived some 25 years ago. In that time, it has gone on to become a success among both critics and consumers. Perhaps best of all for BMW loyalists, the X5 proves that you truly can have a utility vehicle that drives like a sports sedan.
The current version is now in its fourth generation and is its best iteration yet. And for 2024, it gets even better. An extensive midcycle refresh has brought new a design inside and out, an abundance of updated technology, and more power to every variant.
Before we step inside the new 2024 BMW X5, let’s take a quick overview so you know what you’re getting into.
The BMW X5 is available in three main variants, with each reflecting a different powertrain. And each powertrain is now more powerful than last year’s model. The X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i boast a 375-horsepower turbocharged 6-cylinder engine; the X5 xDrive50e is a plug-in hybrid with 483 hp combined from its turbo 6-cylinder engine and electric motor; and the mighty X5 M60i touts a turbocharged V8 that cranks out 523 hp (or a staggering 617 in M Competition form). All-wheel drive is standard on every model except the base sDrive40i, which retains a rear-wheel-drive layout. We’d be thrilled to have any of these variants in our garage.
Passenger Room and Comfort
The biggest reason to step up from a compact luxury SUV like BMW’s own X3 to a midsize one like the X5 is for passenger space, especially in the second row. Here you’re treated to 37.4 inches of legroom, which is more friendly to adults.
Up front, there is even greater legroom, and we’ve found the space comfortable for a variety of body shapes and sizes. Of particular note is a wide center console that provides a nice berth between the driver and passenger. For 2024, that frontal space gets even airier as BMW has replaced the transmission lever with a minimalistic toggle switch.
Most BMW X5 models are configured in a 2-row/5-passenger setup, but we should note that the X5 does offer a small, 2-person third-row bench for those just-in-case situations. If you need even more room, BWM offers that in the 3-row X7.
Features and Tech
The BMW X5 has long been a tech powerhouse, but it gets even more robust for 2024. The most notable feature is the new 14.9-inch central display fitted in an elegantly curved glass housing. This large display seamlessly connects with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster to create an impressively wide screen that spans much of the dash.
You also have various ways of connecting with the system. In addition to touch, you can use the large rotary dial in the center console or even your voice. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard, as is wireless device charging.
Materials and Design
BMW has long mastered the art of crafting premium interiors with a let’s-get-down-to-business feel, and the 2024 X5 is no exception. We’ve found the X5’s cabin a wonderful place to be and one that invites you to get down to the business at hand: driving.
Many traditional shoppers of luxury vehicles demand supple leather upholstery, and that remains available in the X5 in the form of extended Merino leather. But for 2024, BMW offers a new, vegan leather alternative called Sensafin. Like traditional leather, Sensafin is available in a variety of colors. We particularly like the Cognac, a nutty brown hue.
In addition to your choice of upholstery material and color, the X5 provides a wide array of trims to satisfy your personality and style, from open-pore wood grains to a matte finish.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
Ample space and the ability to carry gear and goods are the primary reasons why more buyers have shifted to SUVs. And here, too, the X5 delivers. It boasts 33.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. That’s about twice the storage you would get in the trunk of a sedan. Folding the 40/20/40-split rear seats opens up a vast and highly usable 72.3 cubic feet.
And here’s something else that has long set the BMW X5 apart from its peers: It continues to use a clamshell tailgate design. Where others have a large one-piece rear door, the X5 has a two-piece design with a door that lifts along with a small tailgate that folds down. This makes for easy loading and can serve as an impromptu bench once you reach your destination.
Build and price your own version of the 2024 BMW X5 to see this week’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, or check out BMW X5 models for sale near you.
