In the case of the plug-in hybrid version, the premium SUV from Munich is noticeably more powerful after the modernization and has also received a larger battery. Thanks to it, you can use the X5 as a classic electric car for a long time without losing the versatility of the combustion engine.
Design, interior
The refreshed X5, the most frequently registered new BMW in the Czech Republic last year with 1,035 units, was presented at the beginning of last February, but has only now been tested on Auto.cz. At first glance you will definitely notice the revised exterior, which in my opinion was very successful in the previous version. Luckily, the designers stayed down to earth and kept the look attractive.
The headlights are now 35 millimeters narrower and have received arrow-shaped daytime running lights, which also serve as turn signals. Adaptive LED headlights with matrix segments can also be specified in M Shadowline black.
The radiator grille has a chrome frame and slats, but for the first time is also optionally available with BMW Iconic Glow backlighting in selected engines. Smooth surfaces have recently been used around the mask, which should give the car a more modern look. The air intakes on the sides behind the rear wheels have been redesigned, and the rear lights, which create the letter X motif, have also been modified.
Thanks to the changes, the modernized BMW X5 appears slimmer and more dynamic. After all, it’s traditionally one of the most interesting large SUVs to drive. However, the changes to the front are ultimately not as important as the redesigned interior. And you probably won’t be that thrilled with him.
BMW X5xDrive50e
Where are my buttons?!
The caption as a paraphrase of the statement of the character Fanouš Souček played by Zdenek Svěrák from the film classic Obecná škola fits perfectly into the context of the restyling of the X5 and X6 series. Unfortunately, even in this case, the Munich car manufacturer has caught the wave of touch control, the real advantage of which is starting to be partly re-evaluated by some car manufacturers (for example, Škoda has introduced a trio of physical Smart Dials for the new generations of the Superb and Kodiaq models).
Instead of a concept refined over decades that combines control via a multimedia system with physical buttons, BMW tries to convince us that touching the display is faster, more intuitive and more pleasant in practice. But it isn’t.
The newly available panel that serves ventilation and seat heating/ventilation is a disappointment, all that remains is a bar with an indicator light, a wheel to adjust the audio volume and a pad to skip songs and control the front window fan and rear window heating.
If you want to increase/decrease the ventilation temperature, heat or cool your buttocks, you have to press on the fortunately quite large icons in the lower corners. Although the tested BMW .
I also miss the button for direct access to the driving assistants menu, of which more and more are added every year (in recent months the warning for exceeding the maximum speed allowed has drunk my blood). The older BMW had it in plain sight under the central display.
Fortunately, there are no buttons on the center panel. Therefore, you still choose the driving modes in a classic way. At BMW they haven’t thrown the iDrive system knob overboard yet, which makes controlling the multimedia system much more pleasant, which even after the generational change is still one of the best on the market.
Glittering tinsel
In recent years, BMW interiors have not withstood much criticism regarding the materials used. The X5 is no exception. The passenger compartment of the model tested by over three million is covered in two-tone leather, the same leather is also used for the dashboard covering. Hard plastics are rarely encountered here, they are usually well hidden from view.
However, the cabin strength is inferior to that of the Lexus RX. The individual door panels bend slightly when pressed, which you will not experience with a Japanese competitor with a very honest interior design. However, the softer look is no exception for the BMW X5. Even the most luxurious 7 Series doesn’t excel in this respect. At the same time, fairer and more massive paneling would not increase the production price of these floors too much.
Engine, driving characteristics
Finally, I come to the technique that has seen the most progress in the field of modernization. And for the plug-in hybrid variant tested, tuplem. New is the turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine with a volume of 3.0 liters, which received 20 kilowatts more power (230 kW). The synchronous electric motor integrated into the eight-speed gearbox reaches 145 kilowatts, 62 more than the previous version. In total you therefore have up to 360 kilowatts at your disposal (including the Boost function), which however have to deal with a weight of over 2.4 tonnes.
Like an electric car. Almost.
The BMW X5 xDrive50e is equipped with a larger battery with a capacity of 29.5 kWh, while you have 25.7 kilowatt hours at your disposal. Thanks to the larger cells, however, you will be able to travel approximately 80 kilometers without too many limits on a single charge (in the spring months and beyond), which will easily cover the daily journey of the vast majority of you in city traffic. In my case, I could make it for more than two days on a realistic battery life.
BMW X5xDrive50e
Even on freezing days, the X5 will travel over sixty kilometers on external charging, which is still more than enough distance. Therefore, if you usually disturb your diesel SUV with short “craps” in the city, you should consider the X5 plug-in hybrid. It combines the velvety feel of an electric car with the versatile character of a conventional car.
If you happen to run out of electricity, you still have a 69-litre gas tank at your disposal, with which, depending on your driving style, you can certainly cover another 500 kilometres. With my driving profile, when during the week I mainly travel around Prague and on weekends I go to the house in Vysočina, I would be an ideal candidate for the X5 xDrive50e. And there are many of us like that.
In this regard, I consider plug-in hybrids to be the most significant alternative to purely combustion models, although many supporters of electromobility consider them unnecessary and impractical hybrids. However, they suit me because they don’t burden me too much with travel planning, which you can’t do without with an electric car for longer distances.
The BMW X5 xDrive50e is still not quite ideal. The modernization also did not bring support for fast charging. While Mercedes’ competing plug-ins on DC racks manage to draw energy with an output of 60 kW (the new generation Škoda Superb and Kodiaq PHEV are capable of 50 kW and 11 kilowatts respectively from the wallbox), the Bavarian SUV is in capable of only 7.4kW. You can therefore go from zero to full in less than four hours, even with maximum charging power. For me it sometimes took twice as long with the 11kW support.
The idea of recharging the battery while shopping is therefore strange. In an hour you will put so little energy into the car that it is not even worth taking the connection cable out of the trunk and putting it back there. At the same time, with support for DC charging, in many cases the X5 xDrive50e could run without a hint of gasoline for several weeks. It would be enough to avoid travel of more than 100 kilometres. What a pity…
Connecting two worlds
Despite the high weight of the BMW X5, the combination of electric drive and internal combustion engine has enough power to push you into your seat when pulling away from an intersection. However, the high performance of the system is secondary, much more often you will use the rather rapid acceleration with electricity.
There’s some hesitation here, but the 145-kilowatt electric motor runs smoothly. Furthermore, it can boast a maximum speed of 140 km/h, so without engaging the six-cylinder, you can also drive on the motorway without being stuck in the left lane.
BMW X5xDrive50e
Unlike the BMW XM’s plug-in eight-cylinder, I never felt a jerk when I connected the petrol unit. The interaction of both units is exemplary and without major delays. I won’t even mention the actual consumption, because it strongly depends on the charging frequency. On longer journeys with a flat battery, however, expect values around 10 litres. In the city, depending on the weather, consumption is between 25 and 30 kWh/100 km.
Storing the heavy battery in the floor did not substantially affect the driving characteristics of the BMW X5. You just have to count on the mentioned weight of at least 2420 kilograms. You will therefore have a slightly lower cornering speed than conventional versions, but not significantly so.
Steering response has been rather artificial for some time now, but you can still get a pretty clear picture of what the front wheels are doing. The chassis does not disturb much even with 21″ wheels. As much as I usually criticize larger rims, in this case I was mostly unaware of it. The BMW X5 with standard air suspension on both axles and thanks to the already mentioned “weight” in the form of a battery does not allow the wheels to bounce too much on bumps, although obviously it cannot work miracles.
Conclusion
If I had an order of magnitude more in my account every month, I would definitely consider the BMW X5 xDrive50e. Driving around the city accompanied by a big, needlessly troubled petrol engine is not my favorite discipline, in this case, in fact, electricity suits me.
On the other hand, its limitation on longer journeys in the case of the plug-in hybrid is revealed by a sufficiently lively and not too voracious six-cylinder engine, while the combined range of around 650 kilometers remains the dream of practically everyone electric cars. , not to mention the very rapid supply of energy, which in the case of an internal combustion engine can be done in five minutes.
The BMW Even if it makes no economic sense (there is no possibility of catching up between the two variants), the comfort of the linear drive of the electric motor with noticeably less noisy operation and the idea of not disturbing the internal combustion engine rattling around the city can at least partially compensate you for the investment.
BMW X5xDrive50e
The cheapest version of the model 2,017,600 CZK (xDrive30d/210 kW) Base with tested engine 2,342,600 CZK (xDrive50e/360 kW) Tested vehicle without surcharges 2,342,600 CZK (xDrive50e/360 kW) Tested vehicle with equipment 3,202. 918 CZK (xDrive50e/360 kW)
Professionals
- Very sufficient electric autonomy
- Combined driving range
- Driving dynamics
- Comfortable frame
- Spacious cabin
Downsides
- Maximum charging power of only 7.4 kW
- More difficult control of on-board functions after modernization
- The workmanship of the cabin could deserve more care
2024-01-22 12:50:00
#BMW #xDrive50e #TEST #Plugin #hybrid
