2022 BMW X5 M Review: Too Much Is A Good Thing
The sports utility vehicle category used to be marketed as one filled with cars that can do the school run and go off-road occasionally, as well as take the family on vacation with a recreational vehicle in tow. That is still the case, but now there's a niche within this niche that does even more; the BMW X5 M is one of the vehicles that qualifies for this category. It'll do all the above tasks as well as make your kids sick with its ridiculous power and insane handling. Powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 generating a crazy 617 horsepower with the Competition package and not much less without it, it's one of the true all-rounders. However, as impressive as the X5 M is, it's not a unique vehicle. Competitors like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Range Rover Sport SVR are just as capable and sporty, so is one of Germany's original SUVs good enough to keep its European rivals at bay?
2022 X5 M Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
194.4 in | 117.0 in | 68.8 in | 79.3 in | 66.9 in | 66.5 in | 5,455.0 lbs |
2022 X5 M Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Let's get one thing clear right off the bat: the X5 M handles far, far better than any vehicle this tall has any right to. It turns in with accuracy and mitigates body roll in a way that makes you really question whether you didn't accidentally get into your M5. The whole car stays flat in just about any scenario, and the rear-biased AWD system keeps you pointing in the right direction at all times - with the exception of those occasions where you come in far too hot to convince your passengers that you have their safety in mind. However, as good as the braking is and as stable as the X5 M is, it does feel a little numb and detached. A test drive will quickly highlight the absence of feedback from the wheel, which means you simply have to trust the car to do its thing. That's to be expected when electronics are responsible for keeping a hulk like this pointing the right way, i.e.: on the road and not in a ditch. But, when Porsche can make electric steering systems feel analog, BMW can improve. Still, that's the only real complaint here, and when you're not looking to embarrass sports cars around a track, the X5 M is still a big family vehicle with excellent ride quality and an approachable demeanor.
2022 X5 M Interior
2022 X5 M Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is the 2022 BMW X5 M A Good SUV?
In 2021, there's almost never such a thing as a bad European car. Even Alfa Romeo makes great cars again; but when it comes to a brand like BMW, where excellence has always been a part of its history, things are better than ever. This doesn't apply to absolutely every model the Munich-based automaker produces, but it certainly does for the X5 M. This is an SUV that can blaze around a track, blast down the Autobahn, and remain blissful on the way home. It's packed to the brim with standard features, has a massive cargo area, offers plenty of passenger room, and drives exceptionally for even the novice. It has its faults, most notably in the numb steering system, but beyond that, the X5 M is all but perfect. If you're looking for a premium family car that can do it all in one stunning package, the X5 M is one of the best. However, if you want the ultimate in engaging drives rather than an all-rounder, the less practical Porsche Cayenne Turbo is still the boss of driver's SUVs. That said, the X5 M is right on its heels.
2022 BMW X5 M Comparisons
2022 BMW X5 M vs Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Since the X5 M comes in Competition flavor, it's only fair to make a comparison between the Bimmer and the fastest of the Range Rover Sport models: the SVR. As much as BMW loves its 4.4-liter V8s in big M cars, so Range Rover and Jaguar love their 5.0-liter supercharged V8s. The one in the SVR is especially ludicrous, producing 575 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Yes, that's considerably less than the 600+ hp and 553 lb-ft of torque you get in the Bimmer, and yes, the Brit's 4.3 second 0-60 mph time is glacial compared to the X5 M's, but the Bavarian doesn't have a supercharger, and the noise of such a thing is almost worth the asking price of the car alone. In terms of cargo space and technology, these two rivals are not too far apart, although their execution is certainly different. The styling, both inside and out, is impossible to confuse, but despite a higher asking price, the SVR's infotainment system isn't quite as good either. That said, the RR is more capable off-road and will be more comfortable on it. The choice will come down to what kind of fast SUV you want.
2022 BMW X5 M vs Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Much like the Bimmer, the ultimate driver's SUV is only available in a single trim. Yes, there are other variants that are not shy on performance either, but the Cayenne Turbo is considered as a standalone model. Unsurprisingly, it's not cheap. Its asking price of $129,900 is nearly the same as how much you'll pay for a fully loaded X5 M with the Competition package, so it's already down a point. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is also not the most powerful engine around, producing 541 hp, but torque is greater at 567 lb-ft. Most Porsche models have recently had a stunning interior makeover, and with this comes a gorgeous infotainment display showing crisp images, which is finally in keeping with what others have to offer. However, besides all its technical equipment features and fancy gadgets, the Porsche is still just that, and as such, it's the Cayenne Turbo's handling prowess that makes it stand out. This vehicle is less capable in terms of cargo-carrying capacity or acceleration, but it drives better than any other SUV here. As a car to live with, we'd have the Bimmer, but for something to truly stand the hairs on the back of your neck up when you're carving up a canyon, we'd want Stuttgart's SUV.