By A luxurious and powerful SUV that has evolved to maintain its status as a premium choice in the world of high-end vehicles. We’ll explore the main attributes and enhancements that set the X5 apart in this review, including its eye-catching exterior, redesigned interior, potent diesel engine, and superb handling. Come along as we investigate if the redesigned BMW X5 still represents the pinnacle of luxury and driving characteristics.
The 2023 BMW X5 has undergone a facelift, and with a price tag now exceeding a crore, it has elevated its status in the world of luxury SUVs. The question that arises is whether it still holds its position as the sweet spot in BMW’s SUV range.
Exterior Design and Color Options
- Starting with its exterior, the BMW X5 boasts a modern and stylish design. The most noticeable feature is its large grille, which, despite being quite substantial, complements the SUV’s overall body proportion. The distinctive C-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights and revamped Hofmeister Kink provide a fresh look. Color options are primarily monotone, including white, two blacks, and two greys, with the adventurous option of Tanzanite Blue Metallic.
- The M Sport trim adds aggressive bumpers, and the rear features new three-dimensional tail lamps with unique indicator lights. The tires are staggered, with massive 315-section rear tires on 21-inch wheels, contributing to its aesthetic appeal.
Interior, Space, and Practicality
- Inside, the BMW X5’s dashboard has undergone a significant redesign for this mid-life facelift. The traditional hooded binnacle is replaced by a curved dual-display unit, which includes a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen, mounted on the dash. The central AC vents are concealed behind a crystal-effect trim with illuminated ‘X5’ text. The interior features high-quality materials like open-pore wood, metallic trim, and soft leather, although the tech-heavy design clashes somewhat with traditional luxury elements.
- The AC controls are integrated into the touchscreen, and the gear lever is now a toggle switch, providing a clean and modern look but potentially making simple adjustments less intuitive while driving. The X5 offers ample cabin space, but it does not feature third-row seats. However, the 650-litre split-tailgate boot with a spare tire underneath is quite spacious.
- The rear seats are comfortable but lack backrest adjustment, while the front seats offer extensive adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The X5’s cabin provides an open and less confined feel, thanks to low window sills and a lower dashboard.
Features and Safety
- The X5’s list of features has grown with the facelift. It now includes seat heating and cooling, a memory function for the front seats, a 360-degree camera, and a parking assist. A new feature is BMW’s Drive Recorder function, allowing the car to autonomously reverse down a pre-recorded route.
- The M Sport version offers a heads-up display and air suspension with five different levels. Other features include a Harman/Kardon sound system, soft-close doors, adaptive LED headlamps, a panoramic sunroof, and a powered tailgate that can be operated from the key fob or the driver’s seat.
- On the safety front, the X5 comes equipped with eight airbags and various electronic safety aids, including ESC, TCS, hill descent control, cornering brake control, and tire pressure monitoring. While it lacks a full ADAS suite, it offers active safety features such as lane-keep assist, auto emergency braking, and driver drowsiness detection.
Mileage, Engine, Gearbox, and Performance
BMW continues to offer diesel engines in the 2023 X5, featuring a 286hp, 650Nm 3.0-litre straight-six engine. It delivers a good balance of power and efficiency, with the ability to rev high and provide low-end and mid-range performance. Switching to Eco Pro mode can make the engine quieter, but Comfort or Sport modes are better for a responsive and enjoyable driving experience. The 8-speed automatic transmission complements the engine well. The X5 offers a fuel economy rating of 12 km on the ARAI test cycle, with an 80-liter fuel tank providing a range of over 900 km.
Ride and Handling
The X5’s handling is comparable to higher-priced performance SUVs. In Sport mode, it exhibits tight steering and agile body movements for a luxury SUV. Braking performance is strong, but the vehicle’s weight becomes noticeable. Credit is due to the air suspension, which adjusts according to the driving mode, delivering dynamic handling in Sport mode and a comfortable ride in Comfort mode. However, the large wheels and tires contribute to a slightly bumpy low-speed ride, which may affect the overall luxury experience.
Price and Verdict
The updated 2023 BMW X5 starts at Rs 94 lakh for the X Line petrol variant and Rs 96 lakh for the diesel variant, while the M Sport variants are priced at Rs 1.05 crore and Rs 1.07 crore. This price increase represents a significant jump from the pre-facelift version, that was launched four years ago. Despite the higher cost, the X5 has received substantial upgrades and continues to balance luxury and driving dynamics exceptionally well. It is a well-rounded BMW SUV, making it a strong contender in its class and potentially rendering the larger X7 a choice primarily based on aesthetic preferences and seating needs.
2023-10-31 09:31:13