This newly-updated BMW X5 nets significantly more power to complement its moderate exterior and interior changes.
With over 1,300 units delivered last year, the X5 was by far and away BMW’s best-selling SUV in Malaysia for 2023. And likely keen to capitalise on that momentum, the German automaker has since recently previewed its mid-life facelift over here.
Landing locally in a sole xDrive50e M Sport form for the time being, perhaps the biggest news with this newly-updated X5 is to be the significant increase in power and torque from its PHEV powertrain. An impressive 96 hp and 100 Nm more than its pre-facelift iteration to be exact, which therefore sees this large SUV — now with a supercar-rivalling 489 hp and 700 Nm — capable of shattering the century sprint in just 4.8 seconds, before charging onto the typical ‘bahn-storming top speed of 250 km/h.
Though perhaps even more impressive with its PHEV powertrain than its new-found power is for its 29.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack to now be capable of providing a WLTP-claimed fully-electric driving range of 110 km, which is a good chunk more than the already-commendable 77 km its pre-facelift predecessor achieved previously. Also boosted with this X5 in its EV aspect too is the doubling of its AC charging capabilities from 3.7 kW to 7.4 kW, that in turn sees for a full charge to be completed in just 4.5 hours instead nearly 7 hours.
Turning towards the exterior changes now, this newly-facelifted X5 nets 35 mm narrower headlights, with further illumination up front supplemented by the new option of light-up slats for its kidney grille. New too on this updated BMW are its set of 21-inch M light alloy wheels that come as part of its standard M Sport package on the xDrive50e variant, which complement the revised front fenders vents and slightly redesigned set of rear lights.
Moving on inside meanwhile, sitting atop a wholly-revamped dashboard is a new 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display central infotainment touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Running said screens is to be the new BMW Operating System 8.5, which brings with it the BMW Live Cockpit Professional and BMW instrument panel that supports the full range of interaction methods between the car’s occupants and the vehicle itself – via iDrive Controller, voice, touch or using the optional Gesture Control.
Other interior changes include the newly restructured centre console nets additional touch-sensitive function keys, with gear changes now executed using a rocker switch. BMW also boasts for this updated X5 to feature an ambient light bar with crystalline surface structure for added flair within the cabin, as well as a standard Harman Kardon Surround sound system
Added standard features to the SAV include BMW Comfort Access, Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant Professional, alongside with the exterior colours of Black Sapphire, Manhattan, Mineral White, and Skyscraper Grey as well as the Merino interior upholstery in two distinct colour options – Black and Tartufo. Both of which have been touted by the automaker to ‘embody the X5 xDrive50e M Sport’s promise of athletic sophistication and modern luxury’.
As this is just a preview, BMW has yet to provide an exact launch date or a cost figure for this newly updated X5. It has however estimated for this locally-assembled facelifted SUV to arrive wearing an estimated price tag in the region of RM 530,000, which is incidentally around RM 30,000 more than the outgoing iteration.
