Version review

BMW X5 xDrive M50i 5dr Auto Review

Why the overall winner won

Best small SUV

Best family car

Best small electric car

Best luxury car

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

site ribbon config

The range-topping 523bhp M50i petrol will have you pegged to the seat with its eye-widening acceleration – 0-62mph comes in just 4.3sec. It also sounds great but won't be cheap to run. 

xDrive

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

The top-of-the-range M50i is based on M Sport but with adaptive dampers and steel springs in place of the air suspension. There’s also a bespoke limited-slip differential to increase traction in corners, a sports exhaust system, an upgraded sound system and even larger wheels.

M50i

xDrive M50i 5dr Auto

xdrive-m50i-5dr-auto

Enhanced bluetooth with wireless charging

Front and rear electric windows with open and close fingertip control, anti trap facility and comfort closing

Rain sensor with automatic headlight activation and windscreen wiper control

Thatcham 1 alarm system with remote control and engine immobiliser

Airbags - driver/front passenger, rear and side, first and second row seats head airbags, front passenger seat airbag deactivation + knee airbag

Electric front seat adjustment with driver and front passenger memory function

Parking assistant with ultrasound based assistance system, reversing assistant, lateral parking aid and rear view camera

Technology pack - X5 with Bowers and Wilkins diamond surround sound system and Head up display

Technology plus pack - X5 with Bowers and Wilkins diamond surround sound system

Visibility pack with BMW Laser light - X5

Visibility pack with BMW individual lights shadowline - X5

Technology pack - X5 with Gesture control

Technology plus pack - X5 with Head up display

Technology pack - X5 without Harman Kardon sound system

Technology plus pack - X5 without Harman Kardon sound system

Comfort plus pack without smart opener - X5

Comfort plus pack - X5 with sport seats without smart opener

Comfort pack - X5 without heated and cooled cupholder

BMW X5

All X5s are smooth, classy and luxurious SUVs. It's not quite as practical as the most spacious rivals out there but it's good enough where it counts, and where it really impresses is the quality of its lavish interior and superb infotainment system. The xDrive45e is one of the most impressive plug-in hybrids around.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Logical and beautifully built interior, with great infotainment</li> <li>More than enough space for five passengers or, even better, seven</li> <li>Strong performance along with impressive efficiency</li> <li>Composed handling that limits any feeling of unwieldiness</li></ul>

We class a luxury SUV as being anything where our pick of the range costs more than £45,000 – and at this price point, buyers' expectations are high. So, as well as all of the qualities that make regular SUVs such well-rounded choices –&nbsp;such as decent space for passengers and luggage, a classy interior and robust materials – we also want a cosseting ride, the latest driver assistance technology and enough space to really stretch out.

The Land Rover Discovery proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a luxurious SUV, but if you've got a bit more to spend, the Audi Q7 is perennially popular among buyers, and with good reason. Or, at the very top of this market, there are newer additions such as the BMW X7 to consider.

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

BMW X5 xDrive M50i 5dr Auto Review

Get the best price with What Car?

The model

The trim

The engine

Buying with What Car?

Key information

Available colours

24.6

650

litres

263

g/km

Also consider

Volkswagen Touareg

Land Rover Discovery

Volvo XC90

Audi Q7

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information