2020 BMW X5

BMW offers the 2020 X5 in two vibrant trims: sDrive40i and xDrive40i. There is only one notable change among the two, being, the xDrive40i has an All-Wheel-Drive setup whereas the sDrive40i comes with Rear-Wheel-Drive. Both trims of the X5 are powered by a 3.0L turbocharged inline six-pot which produces an impressive peak power of 335 horses and 335 lb-ft of peak torque. The power is transmitted to the wheels via an 8-speed Automatic Transmission.

Talking about equipment, there's not a lot of difference between the two trims apart from the drivetrain setup. Yes, a couple of features such as the Electronic Power steering assist and bit of chrome elements do make it stand apart, however, BMW hasn't differentiated between the two much. That said, the top-trim opens the compatibility to all the optional packages while the sDrive40i can only inculcate a limited number of them. 

Trims	sDrive40i	xDrive40i
MSRP	$58,900	$61,200
Engine	3.0L Turbo I6	3.0L Turbo I6
Features	Auto Start-Stop	All the Features in sDrive40i trim added and:
	Four Distinctive Driving modes	Servotronic Power Steering Assist
	Dynamic Damper Control	xDrive All-Wheel Drive System
	Remote Software Upgrade
	Power Adjustable Steering Column
	Power Tailgate
	3-stage heated front seats
	Adaptive LED Headlamps

BMW provides a wide array of optional features that are bundled as packages and further build on top of the MSRP of the trim you pick. These include creature comfort packages as well as professional driving Assistance packages which encourage the purist in you to go hard on the tarmac.

Package Name	Premium	Executive	Driving Assistance Professional	Luxury Seating
MSRP	$1,250	$4,550	$1,700	$1,600
Features	4-Zone Automatic Climate Control	All features in Premium included and:	Active Driving Assistant Pro	Multi-contour Seats
	Enhanced USB and Bluetooth	Heated and Cooled Cup Holders	Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for limited Access Highways	Front Ventilated Seats
	SiriusXM Radio with 1-Year Access	Parking Assistant Plus		Front Massaging Seats
	Remote Engine Start	Rear Manual Side Window Shades
	Gesture Control	Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof
	Wireless Charging including WiFi Hotspot	Soft Close Automatic doors
	Head-Up Display	Icon Adaptive LED Headlights with Laserlight
		Active Parking Distance Control
		Surround-view with 3D View

Which trim should you opt for?

We would recommend you to go for the xDrive40i trim which lets you enjoy the full potential of the Bavarian SUV in an all-wheel-drive setup with added steering assist. Coupling it with the Executive package is a boon as it includes all the technological gizmos to help you drive this huge vehicle in comfort and with ease.

Both the sDrive40i and xDrive40i are powered by a potent 3.0L turbocharged, inline-six motor which pumps out 335 hp of peak power and 330 lb-ft of peak torque. The power is put down via an 8-speed torque converter gearbox which helps the SUV gather momentum with ease.

The driving dynamics vastly differ among both because of the different drivetrain setups, but that doesn’t make them any less fun to drive. The powerful motors have power available on tap at any given situation and even manage to surprise you the moment you stomp the accelerator. We really liked the way how turbo-lag is contained as the BMW X5 plunges to triple-digit speeds immediately without any delay. Now that's performance all the way!

Models	BMW X5 sDrive40i	Acura MDX SH-AWD w/Advance Package	Land Rover Discovery Landmark Edition	Jaguar F-PACE 30t R-Sport
MSRP	$58,900	$58,150	$58,500	$59,500
Engine	3.0L Turbo I6	3.5L V	3.0L Supercharged V6	2.0L Turbo I4
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	9-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	335 hp @5500 rpm	290 hp @6200 rpm	340 hp @6500 rpm	296 hp @5600 rpm
Torque	330 lb-ft @1500 rpm	267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm	332 lb-ft @3500 rpm	295 lb-ft @1500 rpm

BMW X5 is the only one of the lot that has an inline-six setup. The rest of the contenders are powered by a V6 with the exception of the Jaguar F-PACE which is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four engine. Land Rover Discovery manages to surpass the X5 in terms of power output, all thanks to the supercharged powerhouse under its hood. However, before you make any judgments, let us tell you that these numbers lose their credibility as soon as the weight factor is taken into consideration.

How quick is the X5?

The 2020 BMW X5 whizzes past its competition with a very impressive 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds. It is remarkable as the Bimmer, being a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, emerges as one of the fastest SUVs in the segment. The competition, lagging behind, includes all-wheel drives as well! The xDrive40i (4WD X5) achieves the same feat in 5 seconds flat. Now that's pure power!

The precisely timed 8-Speed Automatic transmission with its close gear ratios help the X5 achieve this feat. The gears are so smooth and quick that you will have a hard time keeping a track of it. The all-weather tires further help in providing ample traction to move the Bimmer forward.

Models	BMW X5 sDrive40i	Acura MDX SH-AWD w/Advance Package	Land Rover Discovery Landmark Edition	Jaguar F-PACE 30t R-Sport
0-60 MPH	5.2 s	6.3(est.)	7.7 s	5.8 s
Quarter mile	13.7 s	14.5 s	N/A	N/A
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr)	9.3	8.0	9.8	8.8

We have an interesting turn of events here, as the one just behind the X5 is the Jaguar F-PACE which is powered by the smallest engine in the comparison. The V6 powered duo comes in after the champs with the supercharged Brit at last. Curb Weight has a very crucial role in this face-off which is why the Land Rover Discovery comes out a bit shy in this aspect.

How well does the Bimmer handle?

Don't let the sheet size fool you into thinking that the X5 is sluggish. It will happily prove you wrong in the first corner. The ride is much more refined than its predecessor and the steering feels much more lively now, which makes the BMW X5 a steady handler. The various driving modes help give the SUV multiple personalities, each of which is fine-tuned for different terrains. These include ECO, PRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. The last one is kind of scary!

The adaptive dampers do an impressive job of making the X5 feel less of an SUV and more of a sporty sedan. The major highlight of the X5 is the way it tackles all the corners by minimizing the body roll up to a considerable extent. The safety systems of the X5 kick in and maintain a good harmony among themselves in balancing outright performance with top-notch ride quality. All in all, BMWs are pretty fun-to-drive and engaging vehicles, and the X5 is no less.

How good is the X5's braking?

BMW has extensively worked on the braking front to give you some extra bite by tweaking the brake pads. It now dissipates heat more efficiently that accounts for a stronger bite. This gives way for improvements for the already impressive braking performance that the X5 sDrive40i provides.

Despite the bulk, X5 has very less nose dive and at times you won’t even notice it. The added benefits of emergency braking help make the most of your Bimmer. The 2020 X5 also gets BMW’s integrated brake-by-wire system which is a crucial part of self-driving systems.

Models	BMW X5 sDrive40i	Acura MDX SH-AWD w/Advance Package	Land Rover Discovery Landmark Edition	Jaguar F-PACE 30t R-Sport
Brake Front (in.)	15	12.6	13.7	13.8
Brake Rear (in.)	14.8	13.0	13.8	12.8
60-0 MPH (ft)	116	N/A	N/A	N/A

2020 BMW xDrive40i has the largest brakes of the lot which helps it in providing more stopping power, thanks to more surface for friction. However, that is only half the part as curb weight plays a very important part in braking performance. The F-PACE has the edge here, being the lightest of the lot, it ought to stop more promptly.

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The efficient 8-Speed Automatic transmission in the BMW X5 plays a very important role in providing impressive numbers. The precise gear timing and quick upshifts, not just enhance X5's performance front, but also helps it to reduce fuel consumption. To top that, the Comfort mode ensures to squeeze every last drop of a gallon to churn out maximum efficiency numbers. The same cannot be said for the Sports and Sports Plus mode, for obvious reasons.

The inline-six motor in the X5 is as efficient as many four-cylinder equipped rivals. This is because of the use of lighter components and less friction in the engine - a pretty impressive feat from BMW for pulling this off.

Models	BMW X5 sDrive40i	Acura MDX SH-AWD w/Advance Package	Land Rover Discovery Landmark Edition	Jaguar F-PACE 30t R-Sport
MPG (city)	21	19	16	22
MPG (highway)	26	26	21	27
MPG (combined)	23	22	18	24
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gal.)	21.9	19.5	23.5	21.7
Range (City/Highway)	460/569	371/507	376/494	477/586

The X5 just slightly lags behind the F-Pace which gives impressive combined efficiency of 24 MPG. The Land Rover Discovery, due to its bigger engine and supercharger, suffers on the efficiency front. The Bavarian, being the heaviest of the lot, still manages to surpass most of its rivals. 

2020 X5 sDrive40i is filled up to the gills with luxury, comfort and top-notch quality fitments. Cabin space is lavish for adults with the first and second rows making you feel content with comfort. The third optional row, on the other hand, seems more like a formality. It is at best meant for children. It is pretty smart of BMW to make it optional, otherwise, it would have just been a waste of quality space. Moreover, even if you opt for the third row, it comes with the folding options too. So, it's not like the third row will eat up the practicality counterpart of the 2020 BMW X5.

The materials used in X5 run unanimously throughout the BMW family and are of the highest caliber. No complaints here at all. The driver gets a power-adjustable seat including the lumbar and bolsters adjustments as well. The memory feature will help you keep the perfect seating position at the click of a button. A double-panel moonroof makes stargazing mesmerizing. Customizable ambient lighting can change your mood.

The X5 also has a list of optional luxury features which makes it feel like a high-end luxury SUV. That said, these options also demand a much higher premium. If that is not a concern for you then you can enjoy features like massaging seats, remote start, soft close doors, and a heated steering wheel, and this list just goes on!

Models	BMW X5 sDrive40i	Acura MDX SH-AWD w/Advance Package	Land Rover Discovery Landmark Edition	Jaguar F-PACE 30t R-Sport
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.7/60.0/39.4	38.1/61.1/41.4	39.4/60.4/39.0	37.8/57.7/40.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.7/58.1/37.4	38.3/59.1/36.6	39.0/59.5/37.6	37.5/55.8/37.2

Acura MDX and Land Rover Discovery have three standard rows of seats. The Jag and Bimmer have two very spacious rows that are ample in space as well. The former, however, suffers in the headroom front due to its slanting roofline. BMW, on the other hand, was smart to make a tall body design that doesn’t look bad and can house people with ample headroom.

What are the Infotainment features available?

BMW’s iDrive system is one of the most intuitive and easy to use infotainment among any automakers. The interface is as simple as it gets and you will get used to all of its features in no time. Unlike Mercedes-Benz, it doesn’t frustrate you with clustered UI or a singular input point.

Gesture controls can be used to control the system but are less intuitive than the good old touchscreen systems. We really liked the gesture volume control feature of this infotainment system that requires you to just swing one of your fingers around in a clockwise manner to turn the music up. Fancy, and smart! A rotary knob can also be used to control the infotainment system.

Unfortunately, BMW has still not added Android Auto Capability which is a disappointment. Apple CarPlay is available but requires an annual subscription. Although it is free for the first six months. Harsh sunlight will not hamper the visibility of the interface as well.

Infotainment Features

BMW's iDrive system packs a ton of features to keep the occupants busy and surrounded by loads of interactive things to do. Some of the key highlights of the BMW X5's infotainment system are:

• 12.3-inch Infotainment Screen
• HiFi Sound System with 10 Speakers and 205-watt digital Amplifier
• HD Radio with “multicast” FM Station Reception
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio Compatible
• Am/FM Stereo with Radio Data System (RDS)
• Apple CarPlay Compatible
• Enhanced Smartphone Connectivity

Who much cargo can the bimmer take?

The X5 offers generous cargo space. There are additional hooks and storage space for small items that can fly about in the huge space. Even with the optional third seat, X5 returned a decent 11 cubic feet with all the rows upright. 

The 40-20-40 second split row can fold down flat to provide a whopping 66.0 cu-ft of cargo space. Well, we couldn’t decide on what to do with this much space! Further accentuating the convenience counterpart, all the rows can be electrically folded down with just a slight nudge on the button. The same goes for the power-operated tailgate that eases out the convenience factor to quite an extent.

Models	BMW X5 sDrive40i	Acura MDX SH-AWD w/Advance Package	Land Rover Discovery Landmark Edition	Jaguar F-PACE 30t R-Sport
Cargo Volume (cu.-ft)	33.9	38.4 (behind 2nd row)/15.0(behind 3rd row)	41.2 (behind 2nd row)/10.1(behind 3rd row)	33.5

The Land Rover Discovery would have been the pack leader in cargo space, provided it was always there! The intervening third row takes away practicality. The same is the case with Acura MDX. The F-PACE impressed us with just a marginal difference from the X5. It is bold of Jaguar F-Pace to have extracted 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space from a rather unconventional SUV design.

Interior Features

The BMW X5, just like any other car in the segment, has a few tricks up the sleeve that sets it apart from the segment. Some of such features that not just add to the aesthetics but to the practicality counterpart as well are:

• Advanced Vehicle and Key Memory 
• Engine Start/Stop Button
• 16-Way power front sport seats
• 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Power Adjusting Steering Column
• 3-Stage Heated Front Seats

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BMW has carved the X5 to be muscular and flaunt those lines in a manner befitting the character of the SUV, perfectly. The iconic kidney grille, which is now unified, gives it a fresh look but retains its Bavarian characterstics.

2020 X5 sDrive40i with its chiseled lines and curved shoulder will surely attract attention on the road. The 19-inch alloys perfectly complement the dimensions. BMW also gives you the option to upgrade to 22-inch wheels as well. The short overhangs help in making the car look compact and also in maneuverability. The front and rear bumpers house aerodynamic design elements along with the impressive aero curtain in the kidney grille. This helps reduce the drag coefficient drastically and make the 2020 X5 an aerodynamic machine.

Hidden flaps behind the kidney grille open up when the gush of air increases. This also helps keep the engine cool during long runs.

Models	BMW X5 sDrive40i	Acura MDX SH-AWD w/Advance Package	Land Rover Discovery Landmark Edition	Jaguar F-PACE 30t R-Sport
Length (in)	194.3	196.2	195.1	186.3
Width (in)	78.9	77.7	78.7	81.5
Height (in)	68.7	67.4	73.0	65.0
Ground clearance (in)	8.7	7.3	8.5	8.4
Wheelbase (in)	117.1	111.0	115.1	113.1
Track width (in) F/R	66.1/66.9	66.3/66.3	66.5/66.4	64.6/65.1
Curb weight (lbs)	4758	4303	4735	3895

Dimensionally, Acura MDX is the longest followed by the Land Rover Discovery. These two have an unwanted extra 3rd row which induces the extra length. They should have made the 3rd row optional which would have given a much better competition. Bimmer has the longest wheelbase despite being shorter in length. This is because of the short and functional overhangs.

Exterior Features

The 2020 BMW X5 has been given a few striking brushstrokes that set it apart from the rest of the segment. There's a reason why you can tell a BMW apart from the crowd. A few key elements on the outside of the 2020 BMW X5 are:

• One-Piece Kidney Grille
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Power Folding Heated side mirrors
• Rear spoiler with center brake light
• Roof Rails
• Aero active body components
• BMW Welcome lights

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Safety has never taken a back seat in the X5. BMW has bundled in all of the life-saving gizmos into the X5 and much more. Automated emergency braking comes in as standard as well. Many impressive features, like semi-autonomous driving mode, are offered as options. 

That said, the stand-out features bundled into the 2020 BMW X5 are listed below.

Safety Features

• Driver and Passenger Front Airbags with dual-stage deployment
• Front and Rear Head Protection System(HPS) with side-impact airbags
• Automatic Locking Retractors(ALR) on all passenger-seat safety belts
• Rear-view Camera
• Adaptive LED Headlights and Brakelights
• Active Driving Assistant
• BMW Assist eCall
• Front and Rear Parking Distance Control
• Front Safety Belts with automatic Pre-tensioners

BMW X5 vs Acura MDX

MDX is the luxury SUV offering from Acura which provides a very interesting package for a rather subtle price. For $ 58,150, you are treated to a V6 motor and an All-Wheel-Drive System. There are many active driver assistance features available as standard. The MDX's cabin is quiet and offers a very pleasant ride. The German, on the other hand, provides the far end of this spectrum at a premium of just $750. The build quality is exceptional with top-notch material laden on the inside. An array of safety and driver-assist features with a lot of tempting add-on packages make the BMW X5 a very sweet deal. We would choose the X5 over MDX on the driving dynamics alone.

BMW X5 vs Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover has built an elephant of a car with the DIscovery. The unwanted 3rd row just takes away from its practicality. The Discovery's interior is posh and the materials used are way up there in the big leagues. However, being the elephant also makes it a very sluggish car and as a result, this mammoth handles like a sloth. The infotainment system is glitchy and slow which makes the whole experience cumbersome. The Bimmer excels on all grounds and delivers a more polished experience which is what you expect from a car of this caliber.

 BMW X5 vs Jaguar F-PACE

The F-PACE is a different breed in itself. It is much more sporty and looks the part as well. It manages to chuck out similar figures from an inline-four which is commendable. It weighs less and so driving it is fun and confidence-inspiring. However, it seems as if Jaguar focused too much on the performance front and the F-Pace's interior design suffers. The usage of materials is not at par with the competition and road noise creeps in. You don’t want that from a car at $59,500. So we would happily choose the cheaper and better BMW X5 over Jaguar F-PACE.

BMW has once again managed to deliver a complete package with the X5. It is a compilation of performance, luxury, comfort, and technology. The Bavarian manufacturer has managed to put in just the right amount of these qualities to make the X5 a well-balanced SUV. 

The number of features and exceptional quality of materials it provides makes it a very sweet deal. BMW has not compromised on the driving front as well. It is our wholehearted choice of the lot and it will put a wide grin on your face just like it did for us.

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