BMW X5 and X6 renewed: always electrified

The previous generation BMW X5 was presented at the end of 2013 and only lasted until mid-2018. So less than five years. The current fourth-generation BMW X5 seems to have a longer life. We were introduced to the model in June 2018 and in the year that the model has been around for five years, BMW gives the car a fairly radical facelift. The car is modernized both in appearance and technically. The sportier X5 alternative positioned in the market with a more sloping roofline is also being renewed. We are of course talking about the X6, a car that, with its birth year 2019, is a year younger than the X5.

BMW X5

The facelift that BMW is implementing on the X5 and X6 is certainly not tender, but it is not nearly as intense as the side point session that big brother X7 underwent in 2022. The X7 got a new front with – just like the 7 series – lighting on the front that was spread over two floors. The snout with cut-up headlights is reserved for the X7 and 7 series, the X5 and X6 do not get it. Although the new BMW X5 and X6 clearly retain their identity, a lot has changed.

For example, the BMW X5 and X6 get new headlights that are 3.5 centimeters flatter than the outgoing ones. The layout of the headlights is also new and includes two hook-shaped elements. The grille protrudes visually further through a new frame and BMW gives the X5 and X6 new bumper work all around. The BMW X5 also gets renewed rear lights, copies with a completely new layout. The rear lights of the BMW X6 remain unchanged.

BMW X5

BMW emphasizes the different characters of the X5 and X6 from now on by giving the two different external features as standard. For example, the xLine package is standard on the X5 and the X6 is directly fitted with the M Sport package from home. With that, the X6 always gets a muzzle full of sharp angles and tight folds. The M60i flavors of the X5 and X6 have a slightly different version of the M Sport package and include double bars in the grille and specific exhaust tips. If you order the BMW X5 or X6 with a six-cylinder, you can order the Iconic Glow grille as an option. So with lighting. The M Sport package Pro is completely new for both models.

Interior

There is also big news for the interior of the BMW X5 and X6. Until now, the digital instrumentation was still covered and visually it did not form a whole with the infotainment screen. The roof now disappears and the 12.3-inch digital clock shop visually merges with the 14.9-inch infotainment display. The whole is slightly curved and is called entirely according to BMW’s recent screen tradition BMW Curved Display, where BMW Operating System 8 runs. The arrival of the new multimedia system has resulted in a drastic reduction in the number of physical buttons in the interior. No doubt not everyone is in favor of this, but it is a trend that has been going on for some time in the car world. Also new is the decorative strip with built-in LED lighting that is placed in the dashboard right in front of the co-driver. More news: the X5 and X6 get a new transmission lever and the button island with which you can control the infotainment screen has been renewed. BMW is also bringing new materials and finishing options to the interior of the new SUVs.

The renewed interior of the BMW X5 and X6.

New plug-in and other engines

No extensive modernization round without the arrival of new or renewed powertrains. From now on, all engines are equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system that is able to support the combustion engine with 12 hp and 200 Nm. The formerly xDrive45e plug-in hybrid powertrain with which the BMW X5 was available, is now called xDrive50e. This has a 313 hp 3.0 six-cylinder, which is 27 hp more powerful than the previous six-cylinder. With 197 hp, the electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission is no less than 84 hp stronger than before. With 490 hp and 700 Nm, the system power is therefore considerably higher than before. The BMW X5 xDrive50e rumbles to a speed of 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. With a net capacity of 25.7 kWh, the battery pack is a quarter larger than before. It gives the plug-in hybrid BMW X5 an electric range of 94 to 110 kilometers. Charging is now possible with up to 7.4 kW.

The 4.4 V8 in the M60i variants is a thoroughly updated eight-cylinder that produces 530 hp and 750 Nm. With that, the BMW X5 M60i and x6 M60i pound from standstill to a speed of 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds. The 3.0 six-cylinder of the xDrivee40i has also been renewed and with 380 hp and 520 Nm at the bottom of the line is 47 hp and 70 Nm stronger than before. The six-cylinder of the xDrive30d is finely ground and delivers – with mild hybrid assistance – 298 hp and 670 Nm.

An adaptive chassis is now standard on the X5 and X6, although the X6 is an adaptive M chassis. BMW gives the X5 and X6 new or improved safety systems. Approach Control Warning – standard – now also takes into account oncoming cyclists and pedestrians during turns. The option list includes new systems such as Speed ​​Limit Assist, Exit Warning, Route Speed ​​Control, Traffic Light Recognition, Emergency Stop Assistant, Lane Change Assistant and Merging Assistant. Trailer Assistant is now standard. BMW also brings a more extensive automatic parking system to the pair, although this piece of hardware and software called Parking Assistant Professional is an option.

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