Another upcoming BMW reveal has been leaked, this time the mid-life update of the hot-selling X5.
The 2024 BMW X5’s refreshed front and rear-end styling has been exposed by prolific leaker CocheSpias on Instagram, indicating an official reveal is imminent – potentially on February 8.
This X5 appears to wear the xLine exterior package, judging by the extensive use of chrome.
While some rivals appear to be making their vehicles look more and more like each other, BMW has further expanded the visual differences between the X5 and X7 with their mid-life updates.
The grille doesn’t appear to be any larger than the current X5, and there’s no split-level lighting as in the updated X7. The headlights do, however, have a slimmer appearance.
The air intakes at either end of the bumper are now vertical instead of horizontal, while the lower air intake features revised chrome elements with a diagonal bar on each side – menacing or smiling, you be the judge.
Like the updated X7, the X5 may also get the option of a backlit grille like the X6’s Iconic Glow item.
Down back, the changes are much more subtle. The bumper appears unchanged, but the tail lights feature distinctive dart-like LED elements.
While the leaked photos don’t reveal the interior – apart from a glimpse at some brownish/reddish leather upholstery – the X5 is almost certain to get the new BMW Curved Display.
In the X7, this comprises a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen in one housing. The infotainment system runs on the latest BMW OS8.0.
The X5 is currently offered with a sprawling range of powertrains, including four-cylinder (xDrive25d) and six-cylinder (xDrive30d) turbo-diesels, a turbocharged inline-six petrol (xDrive40i), a plug-in hybrid version of that (xDrive45e), and twin-turbo V8 petrols (M50i, X5 M).
Current X5
Updated X7
According to a report from BMW Blog last year, the inline six-cylinder xDrive40i petrol will be boosted from 250kW to 275kW, and the xDrive45e will receive a new plug-in hybrid petrol powertrain from the 7 Series.
The M760e xDrive mates a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, rated at 280kW and 520Nm, with an 18.7kWh battery and an electric motor for total system outputs of 420kW (in boost mode) and 800Nm.
The 750e xDrive uses the same battery but a 230kW/450Nm inline-six, for total outputs of 360kW (in boost mode) and 700Nm.
BMW claims WLTP electric-only range of 77-85kW in the M760e and 83-87km in the 750e.
X5 M60i spy photos
A new X5 M60i variant will reportedly replace the M50i and use a version of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre petrol V8 engine the X7 M60i, in which it produces 390kW of power and 750Nm of torque – identical outputs to the X5 M50i.
This new engine is mated with a 48V mild-hybrid system, which comprises a crankshaft-mounted starter generator integrated into the transmission and contributes an additional 9kW and 200Nm.
The updated X5 is yet another BMW to leak online before its official reveal.
Last week, photos of the M3 CS were published online, while last year the X1, iX1, M2 and i7 were all leaked ahead of their reveals.
Current X5 xDrive30d with M Sport package
Current X5 xDrive45e with xLine package (overseas model)
The X5 is an important model for BMW. Launched in late 2018, it was the brand’s second-best seller in Australia last year, behind only the X3 (3111 sales vs. 4546).
It also was the best-selling vehicle in its segment, narrowly besting the wagon version of the Mercedes-Benz GLE (3093 sales).
BMW also sold 690 examples of its sleeker X6 counterpart, which is also set to receive similar updates for its mid-cycle refresh. That was narrowly behind its GLE Coupe arch-rival (781 sales).
MORE: Everything BMW X5
Keyword: 2024 BMW X5 facelift leaked