You'll almost always find at least a couple of surprises when you get behind the wheel of something new…and our test BMW X5 xDrive45e was no exception.
BMW doesn't leave many bases uncovered when it comes to utility vehicles. The 5 Series falls roughly in the middle of an SUV family that runs from 1 to 7, without missing a single number.
So as one of the middle children, the 5 comes standard as a two-row, but can be ordered as a three row if the soccer team insists.
Used as a two-row, though, you'll find ample room for the usual two in front and three in the second seat. And if you flip that second seat down, you'll have room for a serious load back there…up to 72.3 cu ft, in fact.
So what was unusual about our X5? We had the hybrid 45e version…a model that's only been available here in the states for around a year now.
And as for the surprises? Well, you expect performance from a BMW, right? But when it comes to hybrids, other manufacturers have slipped me a few unwelcome surprises in years' past. No more.
Yes…BMW's X5 xDrive 45e is every bit the BMW that you'll expect. Strong and eager off the lights. In fact, BMW claims a 0 – 60 time of just 5.3 seconds But not too surprising when you realize that the battery + 3.0 liter twin turbo six are pumping out a solid 389 HP.
So the surprises were more with the levels of comfort and quiet that the X5 xDrive e45 offers. I don't mean to imply that the X5 is a softie…far from it. It's just that the X5 delivers the expected levels of control PLUS a kidney-friendly suspension.
And then being a hybrid, our X5 xDrive 45e gave us the kind of MPG's that one doesn't usually expect from a BMW. We got exactly what BMW said we'd get… up to 30 miles on electricity alone. And, again, that's a fairly eager 30 miles…before your 3.0 six will cut in. So with your all-electric miles combined with the 20 MPG that you'll get running strictly on gas, the EPA gives this X5 a combined 50 MPG average. Yes…50 MPG from a family-hauling BMW. Not bad.
Pricing is right about where you'd expect it to be for a BMW. Two-wheel drive non-hybrid X'5s start fight at 60K…while our all-wheel drive hybrid "e" had a list price in the mid-$60's
Our test X5 xDrive 45e had quite a few "yes" checkmarks in the options column, too…getting us both BMW's M Sport package as well as the "Executive" package…including manual rear sun shades, 4-zone climate control, heads-up, WiFi hotspot…and something that your grandkids will just love…gesture controls.
Yes…make a circular motion at your screen and adjust the volume of your radio…and more.
21" alloys, air suspension, and heated armrests were just frosting on the cake…all part of what made this X5 well-worth its $81,695 window sticker.
And then there's that 50 MPG………………
2021 BMW X5
BMW X5Bob Jackson2021 BMW X5
2021 BMW X5
BMW X5Bob Jackson2021 BMW X5
2021 BMW X5
BMW X5Bob Jackson2021 BMW X5
2021 BMW X5
BMW X5Bob Jackson2021 BMW X5
2021 BMW X5
BMW X5Bob Jackson2021 BMW X5
