Starts at $65,700
Rank
2025 X5 Selector
FAST FACTS
"The X5 is one of the best SUVs on the planet, full stop. From its range of strong yet fuel-efficient powertrains to its confident driving dynamics and advanced technology, it's bound to impress just about any SUV shopper. We simply can't find a soft spot in the X5 lineup. Even the standard turbo inline-6 is one of the best engines in the universe, providing vigorous acceleration and frugal fuel economy, while the xDrive 50e plug-in hybrid boasts nearly 40 miles of electric range along with serious power. Not serious enough? BMW offers not one, but two V8-powered models (X5 M60i and X5 M) if you want your SUV to accelerate like a sports car. That's a lot for any rival to contend with."—Ranked #1 out of 11 Midsize Luxury SUVs
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 BMW X5 that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
Scroll to:
The "sDrive" part is BMW-speak for rear-wheel drive, so yes, this is an SUV with only two driven wheels. But if you're among the majority of SUV owners who don't do any significant off-roading, the X5 sDrive40i could be a great way to pay less up front and less on gas. Think of it as an elevated 5 Series wagon and you won't be too far off.
Although the EPA says that the six-cylinder X5's fuel economy is the same with or without all-wheel drive, the extra 80 or so pounds and drivetrain complexity have got to hold the xDrive40i back at least a little bit. But you can't go wrong either way; the X5 with this engine is one of the best SUVs in the world.
The xDrive50e is one of the most impressive plug-in hybrids on the market, all things considered. It's got tons of power, it'll give you around 40 miles of electric-only driving, and it gives up little if any versatility to its siblings in the X5 lineup. Best of both worlds? Certainly looks that way from here, although it's worth noting that the xDrive40i gets significantly better fuel economy.
We generally vote firmly in favor of a strong V8 like the one powering the M60i, as the effortless acceleration is simply on another level. But wow, does BMW want a lot of extra cash in this case. The M60i's $90k starting price makes the six-cylinder X5 variants seem like bargains, not least because that six-cylinder engine is arguably the best in the business. There's no doubt that the M60i is an awesome SUV, but its appeal will likely depend on how much you care about value.
We already had misgivings about the value proposition of the $90k X5 M60i, which has a twin-turbo V8 engine. Now here comes the X5 M, which tacks on $35k to that starting price (including a $2,500 price hike for 2025) and comes with, you guessed it, a twin-turbo V8 engine. It makes more power, but not more torque, and BMW says you'll get to 60 mph a half-second sooner. Cool car, don't get us wrong, but some M cars are easier sells than others.
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008, personally driving most new cars on the market every year since. He also served as the project manager for Edmunds' expert vehicle rankings from their inception in 2018, building the product out from the back end to the front end. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has tested, compared and critiqued a ridiculous number of cars in his career.
Latest Reviews
Let's make it official!Be a good donkey and we'll deliver delicious car news straight to your inbox, spam-free forever.
