Buyers of new vehicles have been very clear that they want SUVs. People desire a higher seat, a safer feeling, and adequate space for trips to Target, Costco, and Home Depot.
The problem: Compared to, say, a sedan, SUVs frequently consume more petroleum. But there is a way to have a big luxury car that is also good for the environment and your wallet.
The 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) builds on the popular features of the luxury SUV made by the German carmaker and adds a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. It’s a smooth integration that doesn’t exhibit any of the irregularities we occasionally noticed with the BMW 330e PHEV. Instead, it draws attention to the effort BMW made to ensure that its PHEV transition cars function flawlessly without sacrificing the BMW experience.
The AWD (all-wheel-drive) X5 xDrive45e has a starting price of $63,700, and it qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit. You would receive the same sum for an EV. The large discount is due to the battery pack’s 24 kWh capacity, of which 17 kWh are usable. A potential consumer who purchases that large box not only saves money at the sales lot but also in their daily lives.
The price of the car is also reduced below the starting price of the gasoline-only X5 xDrive40i, which is $62,900. Without any potential additional municipal or state incentives. The X5 PHEV ultimately ends up being the least expensive alternative, both upfront and on the road, just like the 330e PHEV.
Of course, driving in EV mode would be the most affordable option. The car’s ability to function well without gasoline is the same reason it receives the full government tax benefit.
The X5 xDrive45e’s EPA range in EV-only mode is 31 miles. In our tests, we obtained a 27-mile range while operating the vehicle through a variety of environments, including on the freeway, in neighborhoods, and on back roads in 51-degree weather. A battery-powered vehicle’s efficiency can be decreased by cold weather, but it appears that the weather was warm enough for the BMW to be unaffected. Most commuters should be able to reach their destination without using any gas thanks to the vehicle’s range.
However, charging is actually only a domestic activity. Because the X5 can only handle 3.7kW of charging, on-the-go charging is useless. Throughout our tests, I had no trouble charging at home while dozing off and awoke to a fully charged battery.
Comparing to earlier hybrid X5s, cruising in EV mode has improved. The SUV’s top speed has increased from 75 miles per hour to 84 miles per hour, an increase of 9 miles per hour. Given that certain jurisdictions have speed limits of 70 mph or more, it’s important to know that the X5 PHEV can keep up with traffic in EV mode in the eight states with 80 mph speed limits.
BMW has done a fantastic job integrating the two powertrains in the X5 outside of the battery-only propulsion mode. During my week with the X5 xDrive45e PHEV, the conversion from gas to electric was consistently smooth, in contrast to the BMW 330e’s occasional oddities. The car operated as expected in each of the six selectable modes (EV alone, Eco, Eco Pro, Adaptive, Sport, and driver-set Individual mode).
For those who need their SUV to accelerate as quickly as possible, BMW claims Sport mode achieves a zero to 60 time in 5.3 seconds, which is 0.5 seconds slower than the gas-powered model. While accelerating from a stop, this number appears to be accurate even though we were unable to test it thoroughly on a track. In other words, even if it is slower than the standard X5, the PHEV is still sufficient for most drivers. There is always the X5 M50i for those seeking something extremely sporty. You put your money there if you want an SUV with thrilling sports car features.
Regardless of setting, air suspension and BMW’s Dynamic Damper Control expertly manage ride quality. Whether in one of the two aggressive sport modes or the more subdued eco and adaptable modes, the ride quality is appropriate for the circumstances. Impressive programming is also used for the steering, which is both more relaxed for commuting within the city and exactly the perfect amount of tight when pushing the car to its limits.
The X5 xDrive45e’s interior is virtually identical to that of every other BMW model from this generation. In addition to being comfy, the seats have enough side bolster to maintain the driver and passengers in their positions when turning into tight spaces. I can squeeze my over six-foot-tall frame into all except the middle seat in the back thanks to enough head, leg, and shoulder room. Regardless of the “shotgun” game you could be playing to get a seat in a car, a tall person should never sit there.
A 12.3-inch infotainment display is angled towards the driver in the driver-focused control center that BMW puts in the driver’s seat. You get iDrive 7 because the automaker’s most recent iDrive 8 hasn’t been released for the X5 yet. However, what you lose in the most recent system, you make up for in physical climate control, media control, and programmable buttons. The iDrive circular controller and quick buttons for the primary infotainment system are located in the center console next to the gear change. The infotainment system is considerably simpler to operate once you’ve committed those to memory.
BMW offers wireless CarPlay support as well as Android Auto support beginning with vehicles built after August 2020 if you prefer to plug your phone in. Make sure the car supports your phone before you drive it off the lot if Android is your preferred operating system.
BMW’s voice assistant is inferior to those offered by Mercedes, Volvos with Android Automotive, and even BMW’s own upgraded technology. Although its natural language technology is effective, there are other digital assistants that are superior. This is particularly true following a trip in a car with iDrive 8.
With BMW’s optional $1,700 hands-free Extended Traffic Jam Assistant system, on-the-road technology is still top-notch. The X5 allows the driver to take their hands off the wheel in specific circumstances at moderate speeds on specific highways. An in-car sensor tracks the driver’s face to make sure they are maintaining their focus on the road, even though they still need to look ahead. It operated flawlessly and handled cut-ins with ease while in traffic.
It would probably be worthwhile to spend the extra money only to lessen the cognitive load of traffic for individuals who commute every day in horrible traffic. Just be careful not to become complacent and stop paying attention to your surroundings.
With the second row up, the X5 has 33.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity at the far back, putting it in the middle of rival models from Volvo, Mercedes, and Audi. That expands to 72.3 cubic feet when folded down. A third row is not a possibility, but that’s okay with me. In this car, the third row would be the worst place to sit. Those who want to transport more passengers ought to upgrade to one of the larger SUVs available.
Front collision warning, lane departure warning, roll-over detection, and emergency braking assist are all included as standard safety features. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the BMW X5 as a Top Safety Pick for 2021. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded the AWD X5 a four-star overall safety rating (NHTSA). As of the day this article was published, the X5 PHEV model had not yet been put to the test. The additional weight of the battery and electric motor may be enough of a variable to alter the vehicle’s ratings, even if we don’t expect the PHEV version of the car to deviate significantly from the overall X5 rating.
The company provides a four-year, 50,000-mile limited warranty, a 12-year limited warranty against rust perforation with no mileage restrictions, and an eight-year, 80,000-mile battery warranty.
How DT would set up this vehicle
PHEV versions have just one trim level. The X5 xDrive45e with all-wheel drive is equipped for errands around town and bad weather. The additional $1,700 is justified due to the hands-free driving assistance system’s increased peace of mind. Although the $5,500 M Sport option is out of our price range, we would absolutely add the heated seats and $250 heated steering wheel with heated armrests. Finally, the tow hitch will cost $550 if you intend to tow with the X5.
Our view
The X5 xDrive45e PHEV hits all the right notes with accommodation for a family and their belongings as well as an outstanding EV-only range. It is quick, livable, and only has to be plugged in at night to be ready to start saving money while commuting. All-wheel drive is made standard, and its price makes it more affordable than the other non-M-powered X5s that are already on the market. Though disappointing, its slow charge rate is hardly a deal-breaker.
The car’s interior features good back and front passenger comfort together with a sporty package that is designed with the driver in mind. The infotainment system feels a touch out of date because BMW’s new electrified vehicles come with the most recent version. However, after years of BMW solely supporting CarPlay, the addition of Android Auto should make many potential purchasers extremely happy.
The xDrive45e PHEV provides a BMW feel on the road without the trade-offs we used to anticipate from hybrid systems.
Do you need one?
Yes. The BMW X5 xDrive45e is a fantastic fusion of electric technology and BMW’s performance luxury SUV. It is excellent as a family hauler as well as a first or only car for someone who wants German luxury and sport with space for excursions to the mountains or taking coworkers out to lunch.
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