2020 BMW X5 Review: Top Of Its Game

Now approaching the beginning of its third decade of existence, the BMW X5 midsize SUV is still running at the head of the pack. With a choice of two engines, a 335-horsepower six-cylinder or a 456-hp V8, the SUV doesn't lack power. However, the new M50i model added for 2020 gives the range an even bigger boost with its 456-hp twin-turbo V8. It will get you around town as quickly as the Mercedes-Benz GLE or Audi Q7, but it isn't quite as luxurious as the former. Still, the X5 combines the strengths of each of its rivals into a single, well-rounded package. However, the BMW is a bit on the pricey side, and how much you get out of the deal depends entirely on how much extra you are willing to pay. You can't go wrong with the BMW X5, that's for sure, but you may be able to get a similar experience from a much cheaper midsize SUV. But if you have the cash, the German SUV is worth every penny.

What's the Price of the 2020 BMW X5?

While still pricier than most rivals in the luxury SUV segment, the BMW X5 can be picked up for less than $60k, if you don't mind the most basic model on offer. An unspecified sDrive40i bears a base price of $58,900, while the all-wheel-drive xDrive40i asks for $61,200. Getting behind the wheel of the more powerful xDrive50i will cost you a hefty $76,150, while the top-tier M50i asks for a substantial investment of $82,150 to gain access to its unparalleled power. If you want everything it has to offer, you can expect the BMW X5's price to rocket over the $100k mark. These prices are MSRP and don't include tax, registration, licensing, or the manufacturer's $995 destination charge.

2020 X5 Exterior

Dimensions

2020 X5 Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The X5 has a lot of power under the hood, especially if you opt for the V8 engine. But converting all that raw power into a fun driving experience takes skill and experience that few can muster. BMW is one of the few manufacturers out there that can honestly make that claim. The midsize luxury SUV is a joy to drive, and not just because it is so plush inside.

The hefty crossover is remarkably well-behaved on the road. Stick it in Comfort, and you will barely feel the road beneath the tires as you cruise down the highway. However, if you want a bit more control than a cushy cloud floating down the road, then you can flip the switch to Sport. The stiffened suspension will deliver a more rugged ride, but that extra grit translates to better grip and improved handling.

That's not to say everything depends on the drive mode you select. The steering is weighty enough to feel good under your hands, but when you need the X5 to turn, it does so far more easily than you might expect. As is common with the SUV segment, the steering isn't particularly talkative, but there is enough confidence there to push the athletic crossover to its limits. The stronger brakes, sportier suspension and re-tuned differential on the M50i all help to give it an even more engaging driving experience.

While the BMW X5 will never be the sportiest SUV on the market, it makes up for it with comfort and great ride quality. Very little noise makes its way into the cabin, but it won't lull you to sleep with silence either.

2020 X5 Interior

2020 X5 Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the BMW X5 A Good car?

BMW is not a renowned luxury brand for nothing, and the X5 is a fine example of the company's experience and skill brought to bear. While most of the competition focuses on a single strength to stand out from the crowd, BMW has taken a different approach by seeking to design an SUV that does it all well, if not perfectly.

The midsize luxury SUV lives up to its name, with a well-built interior, styled handsomely with some of the most upscale materials available. But a plush interior isn't all there is to a luxury SUV. It also has to perform, and the powerful powertrains on offer make sure it does just that, especially the potent twin-turbo V8. Add to this a pretty generous list of standard features, with even more available, and you have a recipe for success.

The current generation BMW X5 is still quite new to the market, and it's benefiting from its recent redesign, pulling ahead of older rivals like the Audi Q7 in most areas. However, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has been redesigned for 2020, too. The rival German giant is neck-and-neck with BMW on every front, with an equally luxurious interior, excellent performance, and plenty of high-tech features. There is no doubt that the BMW X5 is an excellent car, and you won't likely regret the purchase. However, if money is an issue, you can save five grand on either of BMW's fellow German rivals without feeling a noticeable loss in value.

What BMW X5 Model Should I Buy?

If you want value for money, then there is little need to look beyond the sDrive40i. By skipping the upgrade to all-wheel-drive, you can keep costs below $60k without a significant impact on handling. You still get multiple drive modes to customize the ride quality and handling characteristics to suit your taste, as well as the extensive list of standard features that come with every X5. If you don't mind adding a little extra to the bill, then the Driving Assistance Professional Package is a nice add-on at $1,700, helping to relieve a lot of the everyday stress of driving so you can focus on the fun parts. But before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to take your pick for a test drive, if only to hype you up for when you drive it home.

2020 BMW X5 Comparisons

2020 BMW X5 vs Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 doesn't have quite as much power under the hood as the X5, topping out at 335 hp and 369 lb-ft and not offering a potent V8 engine, but it does more with the power it does have. Much like the BMW, the Q7 is a bulky SUV, but the third row of seats still feels squeezed in. As such, it offers less cargo space than its rival in any configuration. Passenger space is adequate but the X5 is roomier. The tech offering on the Audi favors infotainment, besting the BMW in that area, but it lacks advanced safety features as standard. The interior is upscale, but not quite as much as in the X5. But, where the Audi does handily beat its rival, is handling. The Q7 may not be as quick as the X5, but it is more agile. If you want a fun drive that is still moderately sensible, the Q7 will appeal to you, especially with its lower price tag. But the BMW is more practical and comfortable for basic town driving.

2020 BMW X5 vs BMW X3

Take everything that makes the X5 so desirable and just shave a few inches off here and there, and you're left with the X3. In its non-performance guise, it's not nearly as strong, with a 248-hp four-cylinder engine, but it's also a lot smaller and lighter. Inside and out, the X3 is just as high-tech as its big brother. Naturally, the interior isn't quite as spacious in comparison, but it doesn't make accommodations for a potential third row, so it manages to be just as comfortable. You do lose a fair amount of cargo space, but 28.7 cubic feet is still plenty. If you don't really need the extra row of seats or the extra spacious trunk, then the X3 is better value for money, while still being quite fun to drive.