BMW X5 and X7 ranges score new petrol, diesel, electric engines

BMW has announced an expansion of the X5 and X7 SUV ranges in Australia, with three new engine variants coming to the party. The G05-generation X5 adds an entry-level xDrive25d diesel, a hybrid petrol-electric xDrive45e, and range-topping M50i xDrive petrol V8 powertrain which has also found its way into the flagship X7 luxury SUV. BMW will also now offer a factory tow-hitch option with certain X5 and X7 models.

The four-cylinder xDrive25d is the new entry point to BMW X5 ownership, with its $99,900 list price marking the first time the G05 has slipped under six figures. The xDrive25d uses a four-pot turbo diesel producing 170kW/450Nm, mated to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive. The xDrive25d completes the 0-100km/h sprint in a respectable 7.5 seconds. By contrast, the cheapest six-cylinder, the X5 xDrive30d (reviewed here), is $112,990 ($122,900 driveaway).

Standard equipment is reasonable for the base-model X5, with 20” alloy rims, leatherette interior, keyless entry and start, adaptive cruise with stop and go function, parking assistant, lane-keep assist, voice control, BMW iDrive with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and touchscreen capability, and heated front seats, though there’s no wireless phone-charging as standard.

Next, BMW is bringing a hybrid X5 back to the Australian market with the xDrive45e plug-in hybrid starting at $129,900 (driveaway pricing not confirmed). The last hybrid X5 was the F15 xDrive40e of 2016, the new xDrive45e boasts significant increases in power and electric range over the F15.

The new xDrive45e six-cylinder hybrid powertrain produces 290kW and a generous 600Nm of torque, up 60kW and 150Nm respectively over the four-cylinder xDrive40e’s figures of 230kW/450Nm. This extra power gives the new xDrive45e a brisk 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds (compared to 6.8s of the xDrive40e) along with an impressive (claimed) fuel consumption figure of 2.1L/100km, though this clearly factors in substantial use of the plug-in electric capability.

BMW is claiming that the electric only range has doubled for the new generation X5, up from a claimed 31km in the previous F15 generation to 60-65km for the G05. This would allow serene electric-only commutes for many Australians and significant fuel savings for inner-city X5 buyers. Standard equipment on the xDrive45e includes every option on the xDrive25d plus ‘Vernasca’ leather, a panoramic sunroof, parking assistant with surround-view camera, head-up display, and adaptive air-suspension as standard.

The new range-topping M50i xDrive starts from $151,900 (driveaway pricing not confirmed). A twin-turbo petrol V8 engine producing 390kW and a massive 750Nm sits at the heart of the M50i which completes the sprint from 0-100km/h in a rapid 4.5 seconds. The M50i drivetrain will also be found in BMW’s flagship X7 luxury SUV at $171,900 (driveaway pricing not confirmed) which achieves a 0-100km/h time of 4.7 seconds.

Being the big-daddy X5, the M50i is equipped with plenty of standard equipment, with everything found on the xDrive45e plus a whole suite of M performance goodies; 22” light-alloy wheels, sports exhaust, M performance differential, bigger M performance brakes, adaptive sports suspension, active steering, four-zone climate control, 16 speaker Harman Kardon sound system, metallic paint, and wireless phone charging.

BMW’s flagship X7 M50i in M-sport trim is equipped with 22” alloy wheels, M performance exhaust, brakes, and differential, adaptive air-suspension, laser headlights, ‘Merino’ leather, five zone climate control, heated cup-holders, individual wood-grain, and third-row seats.

BMW is also offering a factory tow-hitch option on X5 and X7 models with a 2,700kg braked towing capacity on xDrive25d and xDrive45e, or 3,500kg for all other models – perfect for an M2 track car, perhaps… Tow-hitches will cost an extra $2,500, and are available from the third quarter of 2019.