Summary
The BMW X5 is a large SUV model that sits between the smaller X3 and the larger X7 in the BMW SUV family. The current model went on sale in 2018 and is the third generation of BMW X5.
The X5 is available with a choice of petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid powertrains. There is also a range-topping X5 M Competition model, which is covered in a separate page.
Motoring journalists have praised the X5 for strong on-road performance and a comfortable interior. The plug-in hybrid powertrain is also considered to be one of the better implementations of this technology. However, the X5 has been criticised for a lack of off-roading ability and fussy, divise styling.
As of July 2025 2024, the BMW X5 holds a New Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 58%. It’s not as desirable as a used car, where its rating slips to an E with a score of just 48%. The scores reflect excellent media reviews and relatively low CO2 emissions (helped by the plug-in hybrid models), but poor results for ownership – woeful reliability and high running costs.
Key specifications
Body style: Large SUV
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: from £69,560 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2018
Last updated: Spring 2020
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The BMW X5 remains an outstanding choice in the large SUV class, delivering superb performance, practicality and tech.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
Read full review
Auto Express
Max Adams
“The BMW X5 manages to do a rare thing for a large SUV: be both comfortable and fun to drive. Alternatives have bigger boots, though.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
More reviews
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The BMW X5 falls down in too many areas to call it a definite class-leader, but the attraction will be there for many – it’s still a status symbol, it’s still eye-catching and it’s still great to drive.”
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: M Competition 2021
Score: 8 / 10
“Technically, the BMW X5 M Competition is an impressive performance SUV, but unlike rivals such as the Range Rover Sport SVR, it lacks the sparkle that puts a smile on your face.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s hard to criticise a car that can deliver genuinely low running costs, lightning fast performance, and enough space for five people to travel in genuine comfort.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: 3.0-liter petrol/electric plug-in hybrid xDrive50e M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW X5 is one of the sharper to drive SUVs out there. While the 50e needs a software update to sort out a couple of things, it still offers a lot. And, more generally, the X5 has a great range of engines, a well-sorted chassis – even if the increasingly decorative design inside and out is dating quickly.” (Georg Kacher)
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid automatic xDrive 45e
Score: 9 / 10
“Unlike other plug-in hybrids, this BMW X5 xDrive45e is a seriously well-rounded package. From its 54-mile electric range that means you might rarely have to utilise the petrol engine at all, to its exceedingly low company car tax bills, it’s a very appealing model.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The BMW X5 has had a growth spurt that makes it a better all-rounder, but it still offers a satisfying drive”
Read review
Model reviewed: xDrive45e hybrid
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The switch between electric and petrol is smooth, and the combined maximum power of the motor and six-cylinder petrol is a considerable 389bhp, resulting in 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid xDrive 45e M Sport
“Even if the car wasn’t so good, the costs case would make the PHEV compelling. Add in the impressive range and performance and it’s a winner.”
Read review
Daily Mail
Model reviewed: (range review)
“It’s a refined but sporty drive with sharp steering and good handling on corners and plenty of punch for overtaking and cruises effortlessly on motorways, with sufficient oomph when required. The engine is quiet and smooth, while still engaging.”
Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid xDrive45e
Score: 9 / 10
“BMW’s thoroughly refreshed plug-in hybrid SUV is great to drive and has a decent electric-only range too. Besides making it easier to do electric only miles, it brings massive tax benefits for company car drivers.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“BMW’s original SUV is still its best, still handling like a big 5-series. It’s just a shame it means so much less today…”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: xDrive 45e PHEV
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid drives like a BMW rather than a hybrid, and it has an official electric driving range of 54 miles.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW X5 is a highly impressive SUV. It’s practical, spacious and comfortable, but also fun to drive. A smooth gearbox, powerful engines and supple air suspension make it a compelling package. It’s expensive, but the plug-in hybrid 45e has minute running costs and is luxurious enough to feel worth it.”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Our biggest grievance with the X5 is BMW’s refusal to offer Android Auto – which says a lot about how good the car is. It’s great to drive, with a premium interior and plenty of space for the family.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The X5 is arguably the sweet-spot in BMW’s range of SUVs – not to mention one of the best family off-roaders you can buy.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Imposing SUV is luxurious and great to drive”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Packed so full of gizmos, there’s no room for fun” (Jeremy Clarkson)
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
“BMW’s X5 is now bigger, bolder and more tech-laden than ever”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 30d 3.0-litre diesel automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“Undemonstrative design (apart from the huge grille) but comfortable, competent, with surprisingly good ride and handling, and a decent turn of speed. If you’ve got to have an SUV and don’t want a Range Rover Sport this is as good as it gets”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The X5 is more of a tech tour de force than ever, but did it have to be this brash, BMW?”
Read review
Model reviewed: xDrive 45e
“According to BMW, this plug-in hybrid is the X5 for all your needs. Which is a bold claim.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2018
Date expired: January 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 75%
Safety assist: 75%
Notes on safety rating
The BMW X5 was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2018 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2025 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used X5 to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of July 2025, the BMW X5 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 958
Average repair cost: £941.88
Last updated: April 2025
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The BMW X5 has a very poor reliability score of 15%, according to workshop and extended warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops. This score applies to both the current X5 generation (2018 onwards) and earlier models.
As well as a high number of reports, the average cost of repairs is high at about £950. This is obviously a lot more than the cost of a used car warranty, which is well worth keeping in mind if you own a BMW X5 or are interested in buying a used X5.
Engine failures are commonly reported and are the most expensive problems, with an average repair bill of nearly £2,500. Gearbox repairs are similarly expensive, although thankfully not as common. Suspension faults are the most common problem, with an average repair bill of £600.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score |
| Petrol models | 25 mpg | E |
| Diesel models | 38 mpg | D |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 312 mpg | A |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 260 g/km | D | ||
| Diesel models | 194 g/km | C | ||
| Plug-in hybrid models | 21 g/km | A |
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 60 miles | D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 48 | D |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £515 | D |
| Year 2 | £1,061 | D |
| Year 3 | £1,691 | D |
| Year 4 | £2,121 | D |
| Year 5 | £2,735 | D |
| Overall | £8,123 | D |
According to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data, the BMW X5 is quite expensive to run in the short- and long-term.
Petrol models have poor fuel consumption and diesels are a bit better. The plug-in hybrid looks good on paper, but this is deceptive – every plug-in hybrid looks great in theory, but this is because of rubbish EU/UK government lab testing. You certainly won’t get 312 miles of driving from one gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and a bit of electricity…
The battery range of the plug-in hybrid is good, at 60 miles according to the official tests. That’s better than most plug-in hybrids, but you’ll still need to charge it almost daily to get best use out of the electric motor and battery. By comparison, an equivalent mid-size full EV would get more than 250 miles out of its battery so most households would only need to charge it once a week.
Scheduled servicing costs are rather costly on average over five years of ownership too.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the BMW X5
| Overall rating | B | 68% |
| Petrol or diesel models | C | 41% |
| Hybrid or plug-in hybrid models | A | 82% |
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | Unlimited miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
BMW’s new car warranty is only average, and not as attractive as some other cars in a similar price bracket as the X5.
The duration is three years, with no limit on mileage – although, in reality, the mileage numbers are likely to be fairly irrelevant as most cars only cover about 10,000 miles each year.
In addition to the standard new car warranty, the X5 plug-in hybrid models have an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components. The overall rating above is a mix of the different models.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW X5 has received
2022
- Business Car Awards – Best Premium Large SUV
2021
- Auto Express Awards – Best Large Premium SUV
- Business Motoring Awards – Best Large SUV
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Large Plug-in Hybrid (xDrive45e)
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Premium Large SUV
2020
- Auto Express Awards – Best Large Premium SUV
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Large Plug-in Hybrid
2019
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Large SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BMW X5, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Current models: Audi Q7 | BMW X6 | Genesis GV80 | Land Rover Discovery | Lexus RX | Mercedes-Benz GLE | Porsche Cayenne | Range Rover Sport | Volkswagen Touareg | Volvo XC90
Discontinued models: Maserati Levante | Range Rover Sport
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