Owner reviews for the BMW X5
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4.5/5The BMW X5 was one of the cars which was instrumental in sparking off the trend for more road-focused SUVs and today it remains a core part of this brand’s range, several decades after originally going on sale. Its longevity means that there are plenty to browse through on the second-hand market, too.
London
London
AA finance available
London
London
London
London
BMW X5 XDRIVE40D M SPORT 5-Door
Ruislip (14 miles)
BMW X5 3.0 30d SE Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Hinckley (90 miles)
BMW X5 2.0 40e 9.0kWh M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Hinckley (90 miles)
Ruislip
Tunbridge Wells
AA finance available
Horsham
Horsham
Bedford
Hook
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4.5/5BMW X5 XDRIVE45E M SPORT
London (7 miles)
BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport 5dr Auto
Borehamwood (12 miles)
BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport 5dr Auto
Borehamwood (12 miles)
The X5 is currently one of BMW’s more ‘regular’ SUVs, sitting between larger models like the X7 and smaller cars such as the X3 and X4. For many people, the X5 is the ideal size of all adventures and you’ll find that nearly all versions come well equipped, too.
The X5 is a premium and rather complex car so repairs and running costs can be high, but keep on top of servicing and there’s no reason why this premium SUV can’t be a hassle-free way of getting about.
While there are earlier versions of the X5s available, we’re focusing on the fourth-generation car - introduced in 2018 - as it combines modern features with competitive second-hand prices. Safety-wise, you’ll find that the X5 is equipped with lots of features and these helped it to achieve a five-star rating when tested by Euro NCAP in 2018. It’s equipped with a full range of assistance systems as well as clever features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, or AEB.
Diesel power is a popular choice on the X5, with a 3.0-litre straight-six in the xDrive30d providing refined performance. There’s also a more powerful M50d version if you need some extra punch. Switch to petrol and you’ll find two 3.0-litre units available n the xDrive40i and more powerful M50i, while a range-topping 4.4-litre V8 can be found in the X5 M, or the latest M60i. However, a plug-in hybrid is also there in the xDrive45e and later xDrive50e. The latter cars got a bigger battery and can return up to 65 miles on electric-only range.
Equipment levels are good on all cars, with the main 12.3-inch infotainment system fitted to all models being packed with features as well as handy smartphone mirroring systems like Apple CarPlay. Usefully, you’ve got parking sensors at the front and rear - as well as a reversing camera - to help with parking. M Sport versions are a popular option and bring bigger wheels and sportier touches to both the interior and exterior of the car.
If you’re able to charge at home then the plug-in hybrid models will prove cheap to run and could return up to 166mpg when fully topped up. If a hybrid isn’t for you, then the 37.2mpg you’ll get from the diesel xDrive30d could be a good option. Petrol cars are thirstier, with even the standard 3.0-litre model returning around 28.2mpg. Expect V8 X5s to be costly - they’ll only return around 22mpg at best.
The X5 is a large, rather mechanically complex SUV and so there’s a fair bit which could go wrong. Routine maintenance is a must-have and you’ll need to look out for plenty of stamps in the servicing manual. However, with cars like this an AA Vehicle Inspection can prove invaluable. With it, a trained engineer will take a look over the car and provide a detailed report highlighting their findings, be they good or bad.
When properly maintained the BMW X5 can be reliable, so it really is down to the car’s history and former owners. In these instances, an AA Vehicle Inspection can really help to take away some of the worry about buying a premium used car like the X5.
The X5 comes equipped with a range of large, powerful engines going from a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel through to a 4.4-ltire turbocharged V8.