BMW has updated the X5 SUV for 2023, with a new look plus more hybrid and interior technology
- New exterior and interior lighting
- iDrive OS8 infotainment system
- On sale early 2023 from £66,230
The BMW X5 has been facelifted for 2023. No doubt announced partly in response to the arrival of the new Range Rover Sport, the updated SUV gets BMW’s latest technology and increased electrification across the engine lineup, with the plug-in hybrid model now boasting 68 miles of electric range. There’s also a new look inside and out, featuring a plethora of ambient lighting.
The facelifted BMW X5 will go on sale soon, with prices starting from £66,230. Aside from the high-performance M-badged models, buyers have a choice of two trim levels: xLine and M Sport. Despite being priced lower than the rival Mercedes GLE – which has also recently received a facelift – standard equipment is strong, with all cars getting heated seats, wireless phone charging and a whole host of other creature comforts.
2023 BMW X5 design
The changes to the exterior of the facelifted X5 are subtle, but will no doubt catch the eyes of BMW enthusiasts and existing X5 owners alike. The new car sports a set of slimmer LED headlights which ditch the German brand’s iconic ‘angel eye’ insignia of old in favour of a sharper, chevron-like design. The illumination at the rear has also seen some changes, with a completely different look to the outgoing car.
BMW nerds will also notice the facelifted X5’s reworked kidney grille and tweaked front bumper – the former can be illuminated for an additional cost. Opt for higher-spec M Sport trim and BMW’s large premium SUV also gets gloss black exterior detailing and a new design for the rear bumper, too.
Interior
More drastic changes can be found on the inside as the new BMW X5 gets the Munch-based marque’s latest iDrive OS8 infotainment setup. Dubbed the ‘Curved Panel’ by BMW itself, this comprises a 12.3-inch touchscreen alongside a 14.9-inch digital instrument cluster.
To accommodate this addition, the layout of the dashboard has been redesigned, with the stereo and defroster controls now relocated below the touchscreen. Unfortunately, this also means the climate controls find themselves placed at the bottom of the touchscreen itself, making them harder to operate when on the move than the physical dials of the old X5.
Elsewhere, the new X5 boasts new quilted ‘Sensafin’ faux-leather upholstery as standard, while buyers have the option for full Merino leather as well as either wood or glossy metal-effect trim. Speaking of trim, the passenger side of the dashboard is decorated by a sweeping, illuminated trim piece marked with the X5 script – or the ‘M’ insignia for high-performance models. The theme of interior ambient lighting continues with the optional ‘Sky Lounge’ panoramic sunroof, which is lined with LED light strips to further add to the ambience of the cabin.
Unlike one of its main rivals, the Audi Q7, the BMW X5 only comes as a five-seater as standard. An extra pair of seats in the rear can be added on certain models to turn the X5 into a seven-seater.
Engines and fuel economy
As before, all versions of the BMW X5 come as standard with adaptive suspension and xDrive four-wheel-drive. While the arrival of the facelifted model hasn’t prompted the arrival of an all-electric iX5 – the iX already fills that role in BMW’s lineup – it has expanded mild hybrid technology to the entire petrol and diesel engine range.
Now equipped with 48-volt electrical assistance, the entry-level xDrive30d and its 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine output 294bhp and are claimed to return almost 40mpg on the combined WLTP test cycle. A more powerful xDrive40d model is coming later down the line.
The petrol-powered xDrive40i model also uses a 3.0-litre six-cylinder powerplant, but this time producing a hefty 375bhp, meaning the sprint from 0-62mph takes 5.4 seconds. The addition of mild hybrid tech means the petrol X5 should be slightly more economical than before, with BMW saying it will return up to 33.2mpg – a modest improvement on before.
Company car drivers will likely be most interested in the updated BMW X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid. With a 25% larger battery than before (now 25.7kWh in capacity), the plug-in X5 offers a pure-electric range of up to 68 miles – 10 miles greater than before. Power has also seen a not-insignificant power bump by 94bhp to 483bhp.
The range-topping X5 M60i also gets 48-volt mild hybrid power, but this is instead attached to a mighty 4.4-litre V8 engine, producing 523bhp. While its position at the pinnacle of the X5 lineup will eventually be taken by a facelifted X5 M Competition model, the M50i still has plenty of performance credentials and gets from 0-62mph in just 4.3 seconds.
Keyword: 2023 BMW X5 facelift: pricing, specs and all the changes