The heart of BMW's SUV range gets a major refresh.
BMW
BMW took the wraps off its 2024 X5 and X6 SUVs on Tuesday, giving us our first look at the next generation of the vehicles destined to populate mall parking lots and school pickup areas for the foreseeable future. In addition to the cosmetic updates inside and out, there are a slew of updated engine options, including mild-hybrid and plug-in-powered setups.
The 2024 X5 will be offered in no fewer than four different powertrain trims; a base straight-six-powered model with rear- or all-wheel-drive, a plug-in hybrid xDrive50e model, and a top-level V-8-powered M60i xDrive. The X6 is only offered in two of those trims, the base straight-six xDrive40i and the M-badged V-8 model.
BMW
Opt for the base engine and you get a 3.0-liter twin-turbo powerplant making 375 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque—increases of 40 hp and 66 lb-ft, respectively. Some of that increase is thanks to a standard 48-volt mild hybrid system that uses an engine-bay mounted battery and a motor mounted within the eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW claims a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds for both the X5 and X6 with this engine.
The X5 xDrive50e uses the same inline-six, but pairs it with a new synchronous motor that delivers a maximum of 194 hp and 331 lb-ft on its own. Combined with the engine, the powertrain can achieve a maximum of 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, along with an electric-only range of 40 miles thanks to a floor-mounted lithium-ion battery. The added thrust means a claimed 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds.
BMW
The 4.4-liter twin-turbo S68 V-8 that made its first appearance in the X7 and Alpina XB7 will also power the X5 and X6 M60i xDrive. Like the straight-six models, it gets 48-volt mild hybrid assistance as standard, meaning 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque—identical numbers to the S68-powered X7. If acceleration is important to you, know BMW quotes a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds. For those curious, this engine will also power the upcoming BMW XM.
It’s not just the engines that have been updated for 2024. The X5 and X6 get a slew of chassis improvements as well, including newly calibrated adaptive M suspension and optional two-axle air suspension. Four-wheel steering comes standard on V-8-powered models, while all versions of the X5 and X6 are fitted with 20-inch wheels from the factory. A selection of 21- and 22-inch wheels are also available.
The 2024 X5 and X6 get the newest version of BMW’s cabin, which includes a digital gauge cluster and a massive curved center display, controlled by iDrive 8, BMW’s infotainment system. According to BMW, this latest version of iDrive gets the firm’s updated “Intelligent Personal Assistant” system, which can recognize natural speech for things like air conditioning adjustment, window functions, navigation, volume, and more.
BMW
BMW will reveal the 2024 X5 and X6 in March at the Amelia Concours d’Elegance, with production set to begin in April. The base rear-drive X5 sDrive40i will start at $66,195, with the xDrive version priced from $68,495. The X5 xDrive50e plug-in starts at $73,495, and the top-level X5 M60i xDrive gets an MSRP of $90,295. The cheapest X6, the xDrive40i, is priced from $74,895, while the X6 M60i xDrive starts at $94,595.
Brian Silvestro Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.
Keyword: 2024 BMW X5 and X6 Get New Faces, New Engines, New Interior