Which BMW X5 is better: diesel or petrol?

BMW’s X5 premium SUV has always offered a wide engine selection, and the current generation is no different. The available engines range from sensible 6-cylinders to a storming V8, with almost any power demand met by some variant. But which engine is the best choice? Let’s look at the range and compare the different options.

An X5 for every taste

After landing in South Africa exclusively with diesel power at the end of 2018, the BMW X5 range has expanded to encompass four available engines. Two are 6-cylinder diesel, one is a 6-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid, and there are two turbo petrol V8s. They’re all turbocharged, all the 6-cylinder engines displace 3.0 litres, and the V8 has a healthy 4.4-litre capacity.

But that’s where the similarities end. The six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines uses a single-turbo setup, while the V8s have two turbos nestled between their cylinder heads. All X5s employ a slick-shifting 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox and permanent all-wheel drive.

* Combined output of petrol- and electric drive systems.

 ** Manufacturer’s claimed figures for performance and average fuel consumption.

Which engine is right for you?

Let’s unpack some of the claims in this table. The first one to catch the eye is the xDrive50e’s claimed average consumption of 1.9 L/100 km. While this figure is wildly optimistic in most usage cases, there are some conditions where the variant may even improve on those numbers.

This is because the 50e actually has an all-electric range of up to 94-110km, so a user with (say) a 70 km commute to and from work could theoretically cover a week’s worth of low-speed driving using no petrol and only battery power – provided it’s recharged at home, every night. So far, so good, but what about long-distance travelling? That’s where the 50e runs into its range limitations, making either one of the diesel options more economical for cross-country trips.

Rather view the 50e variant as a more efficient, city-focused, high-performance option. Yes, the V8 has yet more power, but the 50e’s total system output of 360 kW and 700 Nm should make for a lively driving experience while saving you fuel in the daily grind.

If fuel efficiency is your primary goal and you frequently travel long distances, you’d be best served by the entry-level xDrive30d. It’s more than potent enough for almost all driving conditions (with 210 kW and 650 Nm) and has the lowest claimed fuel consumption of the lot.

But if ultimate power (and bragging rights) is your only concern, the sonorous and very potent X5 M competition is your best bet. The derivative offers 460 kW and 750 Nm of torque, enough to propel the unit from 0-100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 290 km/h.

The Verdict

City-bound customers will certainly find the X5 xDrive50e a most agreeable proposition, especially if they don’t take frequent long-distance trips. The prospect of a decent all-electric range, electron-boosted performance when the accelerator meets the floorboard, and the charisma of a sweet straight-6 petrol engine give the hybrid X5 an appeal of its own.

For buyers with more frequent long-distance needs, either one of the diesel variants will do a great job. If power is a priority, the M50d will tick most of the boxes, while the 30d will perform quietly and economically in the long haul and is the best-value variant in the range. But if pure indulgence is your game, the roaring X5 M competition is a must-have, that is, if the M60i isn’t enough. However, both derivatives have enough drinking habits to make an oil tycoon blush…

Keyword: Which BMW X5 is better: diesel or petrol?