BMW X5

BMW X5 – Exterior

The introduction of the PHEV X5 kitted with M Sport package has proved to be a winner and favourite. As such, the new generation G05 BMW X5 xDrive45e is also fitted with M Sport package. The bumpers have more sporty sculptures and mesh inserts, sans silver underguards with the wheel arches and side skirts finished in body colour.
Aluminium roof rails are standard, and they are paired with satin-finished window surrounds. A panoramic glass roof is also fitted as standard.

The BMW X5 2020 is fitted with Star-spoke 740 M Bicolour wheels measuring 20 inches with large blue coloured M-type brake calipers hidden behind. The tyres’ contact patches are massive too, with the front measuring 275-section and the rear 305-section.
Lighting units meanwhile are Adaptive LED with BMW Selective beam system. The split-tailgate is now a standard and ingenious feature in the BMW X5. Apart from being powered, it also has hands-free opening and closing of both upper and lower tailgates.

BMW X5 – Interior

In the BMW X5 2020, specific M items such as the steering wheel with large paddle shifters, foot pedals and front door sill finishers welcome the driver. Similar to the new 7 Series and 3 Series, BMW Operating System 7 powers the standard dual 12.3-inch BMW Live Cockpit Professional driver’s display and the BMW Navigation system Professional Central Display.
The Central Display is a touch-sensitive display carefully angled towards the driver as well as optimally in the field of view, yet not obstructing the forward view out. Few carmakers manage to get the ergonomics as well as BMW, blending form and function so intuitively well.
The large controls and display for the automatic 4-zone air-conditioning also follow suit, angled towards the driver.
Overall, the interior is well built with plenty of high-quality materials and wrapped with Sensatec faux leather plus double-stitching. The fineline wood trim blends very well with the metallic inserts on the centre console and door panels.

BMW X5 – Features

Apart from the large 12.3-inch high-resolution displays, the BMW X5 xDrive45e in Malaysia is also fitted with the third-generation BMW head-up display, providing driving information directly in the field of vision.
Front occupants sit in sport seats with increased adjustments. There is no ventilation function in the seats unlike in a Lexus. Four-zone automatic air-conditioning is standard, with the rear seatback split to a 40-20-40 ratio. Thanks to the clever placement and design of the large lithium-ion battery, the rear seats can fold flat with the luggage floor. With the rear seats up, the luggage space is 500 litres, expanding to 1,720 litres with the seats down.
On a curious note, we ponder the reason for omitting the manual rear window sunblinds in the new G05-generation BMW X5, as the previous generation had this feature.
A BMW Display Key is also included, enable the driver to perform actions such as remote engine start and opening and closing the windows and panoramic glassroof from afar and more.
The new Comfort Access also enables walk-away auto-lock function as well as approach-unlock, where the doors unlock themselves without the physical touch of the door handles. Going one step further, pairing the BMW Digital Key with your iPhone allows the smartphone to unlock the doors and start the BMW X5 without the presence of the Display key.

Safety

In terms of safety, the G05 X5 xDrive45e includes Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, passive cruise control, Rear Collision Prevention, and Speed Limit Info. There is no active cruise control unlike in the Volvo XC90 T8 which also has Pilot Assist (Level 2 semi-autonomous driving) as well as Lexus RX300’s Lane Tracing Assist feature.
Like the G20 BMW 3 Series, this SUV also includes Reversing Assistant and parking or manoeuvring in tight spaces is greatly aided by the 360-degree view camera system.

Infotainment

The BMW X5 in Malaysia comes with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional navigation with a 12.3-inch touch-sensitive display. With BMW Operation System 7.0, users can customise the contents of the main display screen, displaying personalized information in up to four quarters (or widgets) such as including the sport display with audio, weather and cruising information.
The iDrive controller can still be used, as well as gesture control and voice via Intelligent Personal Assistant. In the BMW X5 2020, occupants can enjoy their favourite tunes played over the Harman/Kardon surround sound system with 464 watts of audio power and a total of 16 speakers.
Rear occupants also can enjoy viewing their video content via 10.2-inch touch screen monitors, fitted behind each front seat. Inputs include USB, HDMI and headphone jacks.
Similar to other models by BMW Malaysia, there is no support for Android Auto connectivity.

BMW X5 – Powertrain

Engine

The all-new BMW X5 xDrive45e gets a B58 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine that does 286 PS from 5,000 rpm to 6,000 rpm and 450 Nm from 1,500 rpm to 3,500 rpm. For the electric motor, the outputs are 113 PS and 265 Nm, with BMW issuing a combined system output of 394 PS and 600 Nm.
The six-cylinder engine deserves mention, as it is incredibly smooth and delivers plenty of performance to the redline.
The battery meanwhile is one of the largest in the plug-in hybrid segment, with an energy content of 24 kWh. For those worried about the durability and performance of the hybrid battery, BMW Malaysia has extended the hybrid battery’s warranty by another 2 years/60,000 km, bringing the hybrid battery warranty to 8 years/160,000 km.

Transmission

The engine is mated to a new and improved 8-speed automatic transmission, with the electric motor placed in the transmission housing. In fully-electric mode, all four wheels are provided with traction, unlike the eAWD system in the Volvo XC90 where only the rear wheels are powered.

Chassis

The front suspension features a double-wishbone setup, while the rear axle uses a five-link layout.
Adaptive air suspension with M Sport characteristics are standard in the BMW X5 2020. A toggle switch next to the gear lever provides the option for the driver to raise or lower the ride height, by as much a 40 mm in either direction. The change of ride height can also be remotely performed via the BMW Display Key.
On the PHEV BMW models, the Driving Experience Control has Sport, Hybrid, Electric and Adaptive, where more changes are focused on the powertrain rather than the steering and suspension setup.

Drivetrain

The G05 BMW X5 xDrive45e is fitted with the xDrive all-wheel drive system. Predominantly rear-wheel drive, xDrive can automatically deliver torque to the front wheels, with a new efficiency programming that minimizes rotation of the front wheels.

BMW X5 – Driving Performance

The BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid has a combined system output of 394 PS and 600 Nm of torque and can complete the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 5.6 seconds. The top speed is limited to 235 km/h.
The 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine deserves mention, as it is incredibly smooth and delivers plenty of performance to the redline. It is also well isolated and highly refined, giving an intangible high-quality experience to the occupants. There are no premium SUVs with this sort of powertrain refinement at this price of RM 435,000.
Using different Driving Experience Modes can result in different characteristics of the hybrid drivetrain and fuel economy. Stronger regeneration (using the electric motor as a generator which can slow down the BMW X5) in Adaptive driving mode, where if planned well, one does not even need to use the brakes until coming to a complete stop when approaching traffic lights.

BMW X5 – Ride Comfort

The BMW X5 2020 in Malaysia comes standard with an adaptive air suspension that continuously adjusts the ride comfort level according to the road condition as well as the selection of the driving mode.
Being a plug-in hybrid where the petrol engine shuts off frequently, the engine turning on and off is barely noticeable. Soundproofing of wind and tyre noise (the rear tyres are very wide at 305-section) are at excellent levels, making the cabin very serene.

BMW X5 – Conclusion

The biggest improvement in the new BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid versus the outgoing model has to be the 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine. It delivers very responsive performance in a very refined manner.
Pitting the BMW X5 xDrive45e in a real-world drag race with the Volvo XC90 T8 will see the BMW easily keeping up with the Volvo, as there is plenty of pace from the engine.
Priced at RM 434,377.45, the BMW X5 xDrive45e 2020 offers a great combination of sporty styling, refined performance as well as high-quality ride comfort. bm