BMW X5

BMW’s premium Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), known as ‘The Boss’, the BMW X6, upgraded for the 2024 model year.

The locally-assembled (CKD) sole variant (X5 xDrive50e M Sport) tags at MYR 486,800 (OTR, w/o insurance - standard two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty).

Opting for the extended five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and free scheduled service package, the price increases to MYR 528,100. 

Also, included with the purchase is BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, and BMW Service Online. 

Four exterior colours. Skyscraper Grey Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, and Manhattan Metallic.

Cockpit design of the new BMW X5 exudes high levels of craftsmanship, featuring ultra-modern technology in an elegant and digital aesthetic.

The silver panelled dash and centre console are outfitted with ‘Fineline’ fine-wood trim, finished in black with metal effect high-gloss detailing. 

Main focus is the BMW Curved Display, accentuated by the crystal- and prism-like light bar (ambient lighting) beneath the decorative trim.

Completing the layout is the ‘CraftedClarity’ glass treatment, detailed on the gear selection lever, iDrive Controller and engine Start/Stop button.

One half of the BMW Curved Display, it features a fully digital 12.3-Inch LCD high-resolution instrument cluster with a Heads-Up Display (HUD).

Featuring the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, it runs on the latest BMW Operating System 8 (BMW OS 8), and supports the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

Interior of the five-seater is upholstered in BMW Individual 'Merino' extended leather trim, perforated and finished in Black or Tartufo. 

Equipped are Comfort Seats (front) with electronic adjustments (multi-way, lumbar), active ventilation, and memory function (driver), and a bench seat (rear) with a 40:20:40 split fold configuration.

Completing the ambience is the ‘Sky Lounge’ panoramic glass sunroof (six-colour ambient lighting, auto front tilt/slide), bordered up by the Anthracite M Headliner.

A proper full-fledged SAV (five-seater cabin), it offers ample mobility with very generous head, shoulder and leg rooms. 

The cabin’s spaciousness is majorly due to its overall framing, which boasts a wide body and a long wheelbase.

Mounted is an M steering wheel, in a three-spoke design and wrapped in leather (Walknappa - black). 

Incorporated are multi-switches (media, vehicle settings), paddle shifters, and electric column adjustments (tilt, telescopic). 

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Numerous storage areas including side door, back seat and armrest pockets, centre console partitioned and caverned spaces, and a decent-sized glove box.

Four cup holders are provided, and they all come with a temperature control function (heating/cooling). Also included are four bottle holders.

Several charging outlets are present, strategically located all around the cabin. Included are USB ports, 12 V sockets, and a wireless charger.

The boot has a contactless opening function (Comfort Access Package), providing access to 500-Litres (seats up) and 1,720-Litres (seats down) of load space.

Weighing in at 2,495 KG, the new BMW X5 is 4,935 MM long, 2,004 MM wide, 1,755 MM tall, and has a wheelbase spanning 2,975 MM.

Stocky, muscular and elegant, its overall exterior radiates a sporty commanding presence, decked-out with the M Sport Package.

Updated with a new front-end, it features a new three-dimensional BMW kidney grille with LED lighting (BMW Iconic Glow). 

Accompanying that is a new front bumper, integrating a new angular central air-intake with vertically arranged air-curtains. 

An angularly- and horizontally-contoured design emphasising its dominant and broad stance, the rear-end matches the front with solidly robust proportions.

Featured is a roof-edge spoiler, a new mid-section protruding tailgate, and a new rear bumper with a skid plate and integrated exhausts.

Sharper and slender, framed are full adaptive LED units (BMW Laserlight), featuring arrow-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), automatic On/Off, and high-beam assistant.

Upgraded, the wrapped-around and three-dimensional tail lamps hold a very striking presence. Housed are LED combination units, featuring an ‘X’ with double-L signature lighting.

Body-coloured, the side mirrors are electronically-powered (fold, adjust) with turn- and blind spot-indicators, and auto-dimming. 

Incorporated is the M Sport Brake system, featuring blue high-gloss brake callipers, working a setup of ventilated (front, rear) discs. 

Included is an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Fitted is a set of 21-Inch Style 915M Bicolour V­-spoke light-alloy rims, rubbered-up in 275/40 R21 (front) and 315/35 R21 (rear) Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR run-flat tyres.

The new BMW X5 features the following set of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Under Driving Assistant Professional, grouped are Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Emergency Stop Assistant, Automatic Speed Limit Assist, Lane Change Assistant, Lane Keeping Assistant, Front Crossing Traffic Warning, Evasion Assistant, Crossroads Warning, Wrong­Way Warning and Traffic Light Detection.

Whereas, under Parking Assistant Professional, grouped are Active Park Distance Control, Reversing Assistant Professional, Lateral Parking Aid, Surround View System, Remote View 3D, Automated Parking Manoeuvre and Manoeuvring Assistant.

Others include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Hill-Start Assist (HSA) and Tyre pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Passive safety includes eight airbags (driver-passenger, driver knee, front side, front-rear curtain), seat belt (anchor, pretensioner, reminder), ISOFIX, electric child safety lock (rear doors), blind-spot info system, high-beam assistant, parking sensors (six front-rear), parking camera (reverse, 360-degree), Active Protection, door ajar warning, auto-speed-sensing door locks, security alarm, and immobiliser.

Four drive modes at the driver’s disposal. Comfort, Sport, Eco and Adaptive.

Featuring the other half of the BMW Curved Display, the infotainment sees a 14.9-Inch central touchscreen, running BMW Live Cockpit Professional (BMW OS 8). 

The system supports BMW Connected Package Professional (wireless - Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), BMW ConnectedDrive Services (intelligent emergency call, teleservices), BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (voice recognition, command, gesture), Bluetooth and navigation.

The suites of ADAS will make cruising through the city or speeding through the highway a more relaxing experience, as well as manoeuvring the robust SAV in and out of any tight spots an easier task.

Interior sound is channelled through a 525 W Harman Kardon Surround Sound System (17-speaker).

Nestled in the new BMW X5 is a petrol-plug-in hybrid powertrain (PHEV - petrol/electric).

Fused is a B58, 3.0-Litre TwinPower Turbo, in-line six-cylinder 24-valve DOHC petrol engine (313 HP/230 KW at 5,000 to 6,500 RPM, 450 NM of torque at 1,750 to 4,700 RPM) and an electric motor (197 HP/145 KW, 280 NM). 

Combined output reads at 489 HP and 700 NM of torque.

Fitted is an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

Power is sent to all four wheels (AWD), via the BMW xDrive All-Wheel Drive system.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 4.8 seconds, and the top speed is 250 KM/H (electric - 140 KM/H).

Fuel tank capacity is at 69-Litres, and the fuel consumption is rated at 2.3-Litres for every 100 KM.

The e-motor is juiced-up by a 29.5 KWH Lithium-Ion battery, providing up to 110 KM of electric driving (WLTP).

Charging via AC (Type 2 - 7.4 KW) enables a 0% to 100% State of Charge (SoC) in 4.5 hours. The CO2 emission is between 26 to 18 G/KM.

The new BMW X5 gets Comfort Access Package (keyless entry, engine Start/Stop button, powered-tailgate), steering wheel (multi-switches, electric column adjustments, paddle shifters), welcome carpet lights, ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents - dedicated controls), ‘Sky Lounge’ panoramic glass sunroof (six-colour ambient light, auto front tilt/slide), Comfort Seats (front - power adjustable, active ventilation, memory function), BMW Curved Display (BMW Live Cockpit Professional), BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (voice recognition, command, gesture), temperature-controlled cup holders, wireless charger, anti-dazzle rear-view mirrors (exterior, interior), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six, front-rear), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, auto headlights (On/Off, high-beam) and rain sensing wipers.

Air-conditioning vents present in the rear cabin, with dedicated controls.

The ride quality is BMW, and the dual-natured drive has a wonderfully smooth engine power and transmission delivery. 

Propping-up the chassis is a setup of double wishbones (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension. Overall, it is solid and extremely comfortable.

Good sound insulation, with all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects of the build accounted for. 

The cabin is able to suppress engine, wind, road and tyre noises well, making them barely noticeable at all speeds and even when cruising through bumpy asphalts.

The upgraded 2024 BMW X5 is in a class of its own. Enveloped by a sportily luxurious appeal that commands a presence like no other. 

Its striking exterior is very well designed with the harmonious proportions, powerful contours, and emphasis on the robust body sculpture. 

Quality of the equipment and materials installed inside impresses with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.

Overall, the new BMW X5 is just a strong character, a great SAV that offers an elegant outlook, a dual-natured drive, and comfort, all in one.