What's all this about?
BMW has updated its X5 and X6 SUVs, giving the two cars modified and modernised bodywork, as well as new interior tech. There have been changes to the powertrains, too, with more electric-only range for the plug-in hybrid option.
A new exterior, you say?
Yup. BMW has overhauled the X5 and X6 styling with slimmer headlights and a new kidney grille, lined with surround and bars in pearl-effect chrome. There are changes to the bumpers, too, with vertical air curtains on the outer edges and a new lower air intake with horizontal trim in pearl chrome and triangular outer apertures.
Further back, BMW has fitted LED tail lights with an X motif, while the X5 now comes as standard with Satin Aluminium roof rails and exterior trim, as well as underride protection in Glacier Silver. The X6, on the other hand, gets an octagonal front-end design below the grille, while M-specific side skirts and black exterior trim are also offered.
What’s more, cars equipped with the M Sport Pro pack also gets the Iconic Glow grille, which illuminates the bars of the kidney grille. Although the system activates automatically when one of the doors is opened, it can be switched on or off manually by the driver.
What about the inside?
As with every other BMW that has been updated of late, the new X5 and X6 get the Curved Display infotainment system, complete with the latest operating system tech. That means the digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen display are housed in one big, curved housing that crosses roughly half the dashboard.
The system combines a 12.3-inch display behind the steering wheel and a 14.9-inch control display in the centre of the cabin, allowing the German company to remove some of the buttons from the dashboard. Included in the cull are the climate control switches, which have been replaced by permanently displayed control graphics on the central display.
Any other changes?
Oh yes. BMW has fitted leather-like Sensafin upholstery on the dashboard, while upmarket models get a broad, curved trim element in either wood or black metal. There’s new ambient lighting, too, and there’s a new centre console control panel for the iDrive controller (which allows you to use the infotainment system without touching the screen) and gear selector. The console also houses the electric parking brake and settings for the optional air suspension and off-road modes.
Furthermore, BMW has fitted new standard sports seats in Sensafin trim, while there’s a new standard Comfort Pack that includes seat heating for the outer rear seats. However, customers can also choose the Heat Comfort Package that provides a heated steering wheel, heated arm rests and a heated centre console. There’s also a ‘thermo’ function for the cupholders, allowing the cupholders to keep drinks cool or warm as required.
So what's new under the skin?
BMW’s main changes have been made to the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain, which was formerly known as the 45e. Now, however, the hybrid X5 and X6 come with more power and more range than before, so it’s now called the 50e. Combining the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine, an electric motor and a 25.7kWh battery pack, the car produces up to 490hp – an increase of 96hp on the old 45e. That goes to all four wheels via an automatic gearbox, allowing the X5 to get from 0-62mph in under five seconds.
More importantly, though, the battery is roughly 25 per cent larger than in the old 45e, giving the X5 an official range of between 58 and 68 miles on the official economy test. That, in turn, means emissions of between 18 and 26g/km, while the official figures suggest economy of between 256.8 and 353.1mpg.
What if I don't want a hybrid?
Never fear, you still get plenty of choice. The basic option is the 3.0-litre ‘30d’ diesel, which is available for both the X5 and X6. Then there’s the 50e for the X5 and the 40i – a 3.0-litre petrol engine – for the X6, while both cars are available with the M60i powertrain, which uses a 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine to produce 530hp and offer enough performance to get from 0-62mph in just over four seconds.
So how much do these new-look cars cost?
Prices for the X5 start at £66,230, while the X6 comes in at £72,430. Both come with the 3.0-litre 30d engine as standard, but if you want a bit more power, you’ll have to spend a bit more. The X5 50e comes in at £78,360, while the X6 40i costs £73,600. And finally, the X5 and X6 M60i models cost £87,210 and £89,910 respectively. When the full-blown X5 M and X6 M versions arrive, however, we expect them to cost significantly more again.
James Fossdyke - 8 Feb 2023
