Tested: 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport – Charged Bavarian Boss!

Recently revised, the fourth-generation (G05) BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport is a boss-level ride that we're certain will impress just about anyone. 

It’s ‘new,’ you say?

Yes. One need not study too closely to see that House Bavaria’s typical LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) treatment is a proper mid-life refresh. To that end, said Bavarian marque certainly has renewed one of its best-selling benchmark-setters well, which is now in its fourth generation (G05) form.

There’s a lot to say about the bolder new look, but we’re more elated it comes matched with equally refined substance too. In other words, if you seek a boss-level ride that boasts equal levels of space, luxe and tech as it does with style, performance, and electrified charge, then pay attention…

As far as style is concerned, the mid-cycle LCI refresh treatment has certainly made this X5 both bolder and sharper.

It’s handsome indeed!

No doubt! What’s surprising here is how little and small the bulk of these changes are in this LCI xDrive50e when contrasted against the xDrive45e it succeeds. Key highlights include the revised all-LED head- and taillights, restyled front bumper, and new contrast trims brimmed.

Of course, the icing on the style cake here is the M Sport treatment this Bavarian SUV is bolstered with, which includes massive 21-inch 915 M bi-colour wheels, blue M calipers, sportier front bumper intake and insert, and blacked-out contrast trim panels, amongst many others.

While it sounds tacky, the lit-up kidney grille and revised puddle lamps are far from which thanks to their classy execution.

Tasty too are the new 21-inch dual-tone M alloy wheels which, naturally comes as part of the M Sport treatment that also includes blacked-out contrast exterior accent trims.

What’s surprisingly tasty too are the enhanced auxiliary lighting furnished in this Bavarian SUV, especially at night. Sure, the lit-up kidney grilles does sound like a tacky novelty at first, but the way it is executed, along with the multi-line puddle lights, look and feel properly posh.

Overall, if you fancied how the previous electrified X5 looked, we’re certain you’ll like this refreshed one more, and that’s before we dive into arguably the most critical of changes – the enhanced electrification and charged drive dynamics…

Despite weighing nearly two-and-a-half tonnes, the BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport has got very dynamic driving chops!

Tell us more about this ‘charged’ drive then…

Even in its xDrive45e predecessor, it sees Bavaria’s signature six-shooter augmented with an e-motor and battery, all putting out respectable pep that’s also balanced out with charged refinement. That base formula hasn’t changed in this renewed xDrive50e, but it has been bettered… significantly.

Both the e-motor and accompanying battery pack sees their headlining figures – capacity and output – raised, and the same was done to the blown six-shooter they augment, albeit slightly for the latter. Predictably, the improved power, speed, and response are immediately noticeable.

B58 3.0-litre straight 6-cyl turbo is in fact similar to what powers the M340i sports saloon and Toyota GR Supra sportscar!

However, as much as it is a thrill to make the B58 mill sing its glorious rhapsody as it does in things like the GR Supra and M340i, what’s equally enthralling here is the enhanced electric-powered abilities borne out of this X5’s enhanced plug-in hybrid setup.

In fact, the heightened assist comes without any loss of seamlessness, but the way this X5 acts like an all-electric i-badged SUV is near Oscar-worthy to say the least. Moreover, the increased 25.7 kWh capacity plus 197 HP and 280 NM e-motor outputs yield longer and faster electric-only range and speeds too – up to 110 KM and 140 KM/H respectively.

The powertrain's improved electrification sees this X5 boast Oscar-worthy acts akin to a full-EV. in fact, the improved PHEV setup can cover up to 110 KM range at up to speeds of 140 KM/H as well.

Certainly, these enhanced electrified talents make this X5 a lot friendlier when grinding through daily traffic and commutes, and a lot less costly too as it doesn’t require fill-ups all too often – a surprising feat, even though this X5 packs a peppy sportscar’s six- shooter! Moreover, this enhanced charged nature bolsters both luxe and comfort for all on board too.

Should you decide to unleash everything this plug-in hybrid setup has to offer, don’t be surprised to find that it willingly obliges. Honestly, it doesn’t take long before this X5 tempts just about anyone behind the wheel with its sportscar-like 489 HP and 700 NM outputs.

Coupled with a lightning-quick and slick 8-speed automatic box plus a trick rear-biased all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup, 0-100 KM/H dashes take just 4.8 seconds. Mind you, that’s rapid considering that this X5 tips the scale at nearly two-and-a-half tonnes!

Also key to this behemoth's dynamic driving chops are its adaptive height-adjustable air-suspension and the beefy M Sport braking hardware.

In short, this electrified X5 isn't just quick in a straight line, it's quite a joy a carve corners with too!

And don’t for a second be fooled into thinking this electrified pep makes for a one-trick pony either. Should this X5 come across corners that needs carving, it again obliges here with little to no protests. Much of this stems from Bavaria’s knack for building chassis honed to deliver proper driving thrills.

In the case of this electrified X5, you’ve also got to thank trick height-adjustable and adaptive air-suspension hardware primed at all four corners, supplemented by glue-like Pirelli P-Zero rubber and equally beefy M braking hardware, for this near-unrivalled level of agility and control.

Overall, if the enhanced electrified talents don’t charge you up, then at least House Bavaria’s proven and unbroken trait for making anything – posh, lifted SUVs included – drive brilliantly, should… 

Not only spacious, life aboard the X5 xDrive50e M Sport's cabin is pretty posh and certainly tech-laden.

Will it make me look and feel like a proper boss?

If it isn’t obvious, it should be, and we’re not just talking about size here. Like the bulk of its current metal, BMW didn’t skimp from endowing this refreshed X5 with its latest and greatest, case in point being things like the new curved display setup primed in the dash.

This refreshed X5’s tech tour-de-force isn’t limited to said displays either as there are other amenities to marvel in like its offer of Augmented Reality (AR) display modes, rich and interactive heads-up display (HUD), not forgetting the banging top-shelf Harman Kardon audio suite paired with it too.

Should that not be enough, then the advanced driver assistance features primed ought to. One key highlight here is the inclusion of BMW’s trick Parking Assistant Pro that enables near-autonomous parking abilities, which is indeed nifty especially if your parking real estate is either scarce or tight.

That aside, there are other amenities primed aboard that keeps just about anyone comfortably plush. We’ll be brief here by noting how this X5’s innards look and feel very posh thanks to its rich use of plush leather upholstery, premium soft-touch trims, and generous amount of space housing it all.

Another neat feature we loved was the powered split-tailgate, which grants niftier access to the sizeable boot that also boasts a hidden storage floor, the latter being a nifty way to store this PHEV SUV's charging cable.

Basics aside, our favourite bits here include things like the multi-zone climate control suite, ventilated front seats, powered split-tailgate, as well as the massive panoramic glass roof. All in all, if these don’t make you feel… well, rich, then you might want to go up one or two segments.

Otherwise though, as far as the overall luxe and tech package go, this refreshed X5 has it all to say the least. If that’s not enough to certify your boss-like position, then perhaps this Bimmer’s price will…

… and what does all this cost?

Quite a bit, actually. However, some may find this refreshed X5 xDrive50e to be quite a bargain, especially at its base price tag of RM486,800.

Mind you, said figure excludes on-road costs, as well as the BMW Service & Repair Inclusive option which, when factored in, raises things to RM528,100. Given just how much greater peace-of-mind it offers, said option is one we highly recommend anyone into opting in for.

Even at the latter figure, it’s plain to see that this Kulim-built Bimmer is pretty much second to none, and that’s despite the renewed competition in this space. In short, this refreshed electrified X5 has enough chops to convince just about anyone with the means into its favour. We certainly are…

SPECIFICATIONS

2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport

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