Used BMW X5 2018-present review

It was the earlier iterations of the BMW X5 that really kickstarted the idea that a large and luxurious SUV could be rugged and handsome and purposefully butch and yet also good to drive.

Don't worry, this latest iteration of the popular SUV does have rather a large mouth, but it's still handsome, rugged and undeniably butch. Provided they have no social objections to its sheer size, your neighbours will definitely be impressed, and so will you when you drive it.

Engines: Much like the 2011-2018 BMW X5 that went before, this current generation offers a number of diesel and petrol engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid. The diesel range starts with a 261bhp 3.0-litre straight six in the xDrive30d, followed by a 394bhp M50d. Petrol fans have a bit more choice, because there are three options: a 335bhp 3.0-litre xDrive40i, a 523bhp M50i and a 616bhp 4.4-litre V8 in the X5 M Competition.

If you have easy access to charging facilities, a 389bhp xDrive45e plug-in hybrid is also available that has a claimed range of 54 miles, thanks to a large, 24kWh battery.

Trims & equipment: Equipment levels are very generous, with even the entry-level xLine getting 19in alloy wheels, a 12.3in infotainment system, LED headlights and parking sensors front and rear, along with a reversing camera. M Sport has bigger 20in alloys and sportier exterior and interior styling, while M50i and M50d X5s have 22in alloys, adaptive headlights, an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system, an M Sport exhaust and an M Sport differential for increased traction in corners.

Ride & handling: Much like all X5s since the first 1999-2007 BMW X5 iteration arrived in 1999, this model excels on the road. No rival this side of a Porsche Cayenne can match the X5 for handling prowess, because it has very good body control for something so tall, as well as loads of grip, thanks to enormously wide tyres. The slight downside is a higher level of road noise, but it’s a fair trade-off, given that the X5 feels nearly as stable as a regular estate car on twisty roads, although plug-in hybrid models aren’t quite so good due to the extra weight of the batteries.

Ride comfort isn’t much of an issue, either, since nearly all models get air suspension. With it, the X5 maintains its composure over harsh potholes and ridges in the road without any of the floaty, wallowy sensations that make many of its similarly equipped rivals feel all at sea. M50i and M50d models get regular coil springs instead to help them feel more agile, but these models are noticeably harsher over bumps, even with the adaptive dampers set to their Comfort mode.

Interior & practicality: Interior quality is impressive, too. Every surface is swathed in soft-touch materials and highlighted by genuine metal finishes that give it a highly luxurious feel. There are also traditional buttons for frequently used controls such as the air-con and infotainment system; these are easy to use on the move, unlike the more distracting touchscreen set-up found in the latest Audi Q7.

Front and rear occupants won’t have much to complain about, because there’s lots of head, leg and shoulder room for all. There’s lots of adjustment in the electric driver’s seat, including adjustable lumbar support. With the optional third row fitted, passengers won’t be quite so happy, but the X5 isn’t any worse than a Range Rover Sport in this regard.

What isn’t quite so good is boot capacity. While it would be wrong to call its boot small, the X5 trails the Volvo XC90, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and Mercedes GLE for load space. What’s more, the plug-in hybrid loses 150 litres of capacity because of the battery.

If you're interested in finding a used BMW X5, or any of the other SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Prices for a used BMW X5 start at between £33,000 and £35,000 for an xDrive30d, or between £38,000 and £40,000 for an M50d. If diesel doesn't suit you, a 40i model will cost you around £40,000, while xDrive45e models go for around the same. If you'd like a 2022 X5, you'll need to have upwards of £40,000 to spend, and over that for a 2023 car. Spend upwards of £45,000 on a 2024 car.

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MPG

Aside from the largely unobtainable 166.2mpg official WLTP figure for the xDrive45e (more like 25mpg when the battery is depleted), the X5 is similar to most of its luxury SUV rivals for fuel economy.

The most economical models aside from the hybrid are the xDrive30d at 37.2mpg and M50d at 34mpg.

Of the three petrol models, the xDrive40i has a combined figure of 28.2mpg, while the M50i returns 23.2mpg and the M Competition consumes fuel at a rate of 22.1mpg.

If you are considering the xDrive45e hybrid, its 24kWh battery has a maximum charging rate of 3.7kWh (which is quite slow) and would take 6hr 48min to fully charge from flat.

Road tax

Much like its fellow luxury SUV rivals, no version of the X5 managed to slip under the £40,000 threshold when new. This means all models will be charged the maximum amount of tax until the car is over six years old (except the xDrive45e, which will get a £10 discount for being an alternatively fuelled vehicle). Then it’ll revert back to the standard flat-rate fee. Current charges are £180 a year for the VED for a hybrid and £410 a year for the luxury tax.

Servicing

No example of the X5 is presently old enough to take advantage of fixed-price, value servicing (only available once the vehicle is over three years old), but you can take out a pay monthly plan of £30 over 36 months to cover you for two services, and MOT, fluid top-ups, sat-nav updates and complimentary valets.

Insurance

Insurance costs will be similar to those of rivals such as the Audi Q7 and Mercedes GLE but slightly higher than for a Volvo XC90. The least powerful xDrive30d is in group 45, followed by the xDrive40i in 46. Then there’s the plug-in hybrid xDrive45e in group 48 and the M50i in 49, with the M50d and M Competition both in the highest band of 50.

Reliability

The BMW X5 enjoys a positive reputation for reliability, as reported in our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey. Owners experience few issues, endorsing the vehicle's robust performance.

Dealer service feedback for the BMW X5 is highly favourable. Owners highlight the professionalism and knowledge of dealership staff, efficient service appointment management, and clear communication about maintenance needs and costs. The proactive approach of service staff and the simplicity of arranging service appointments have enhanced the overall ownership experience.

Discover more about used BMW X5 reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

Engine

Our pick of the range is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) xDrive50e. It combines a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with a big battery and a powerful electric motor for incredibly swift performance. In our testing, the xDrive50e managed 0-60mph in 4.8sec. According to official WLTP figures, it can do up to 67 miles on electric power alone.

Specification

The standard xLine comes with all the equipment you’d really need, plus it has smaller 19in alloy wheels that should help quell some of the X5’s road noise issues. Having said that, you can still go for a sportier-looking M Sport model without fear of its bigger 20in wheels ruining the ride, because its air suspension can be put into a softer Comfort mode for rough roads.

Our favourite BMW X5: xDrive45e xLine

The Audi Q7 is pretty much the benchmark luxury SUV, because it does everything you could want of this type of car, and it can still seat seven people comfortably. It isn’t as sporty as the X5, but it's more practical.

If you want something the handles well but still has serious off-road capability, go for a Range Rover Sport. Like the X5, it isn’t the most spacious of seven-seaters, but it will handle almost as well, especially in high-performance supercharged petrol V8 form.

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If you're interested in finding a used X5, or any of the other SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.