Used BMW X5 cars

First unveiled in 1998, the BMW X5 was the company’s first-ever SUV. Boasting a compact size and efficient four-wheel drive, the Mk1 provided a blueprint for three more generations of the model, each adding to its practical design, style and engine efficiency.

Released in 2018, the Mk4 is substantially larger than the first iteration but also has a much wider range of cabin technology and class-leading hybrid engines that deliver exceptional range and performance.

The X5 has a deserved reputation as a luxurious and powerful model, equally at home heading through the city as it is taking on long journeys on the motorway. With the cabin’s ample comfort meaning everyone enjoys a relaxing and enjoyable drive, the X5 is an excellent choice for a wide range of different driving experiences. For this reason, it is closely rivalled by the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and Volvo XC90, each of which compete to offer the most practical and premium design.

But with lasting popularity, the X5 remains a benchmark in this competitive vehicle segment. Winning What Car’s Luxury SUV of the Year in 2022 and Business Car’s Best Premium Large SUV in the same year, this model is still a benchmark for high-end SUV performance.

Practicality and style of the car

The X5’s practicality is a leading feature in the model’s popularity, with its size increasing with each new generation. The Mk4 is the largest X5 yet. With a length of 4,922mm, height of 1,745mm and width of 2,004mm, it is 36mm longer, 66mm wider and 19mm higher than the Mk3. Compared to the Mk1, it is nearly 500mm longer and 200mm wider. It is also available as a seven-seater for those with larger families.

If comfort is your concern, the X5 has plenty to set you at ease. There’s ample leg, head and knee room across both its five and seven-seater variants, with lots of space even for taller passengers. Comfort is further enhanced on the Mk4 with heated front sports seats with electric adjustment – including driver’s seat memory for one touch personalisation to your preferred driving position.

The X5 is designed to carry multiple passengers, and thanks to ISOFIX points across the rear seats, you can easily add child seats for family trips. Keeping the cabin tidy is no trouble either. Deep door bins help store large drinks while a roomy central compartment between the front seats is ideal for handheld accessories. The glovebox also has enough space to securely keep maps and sunglasses.

When it comes to boot space, the X5 excels. Most used X5s have 650 litres of boot space with the rear seats up. Fold the seats down, and this can be expanded to 1,870 litres – a lot more than the Range Rover Sport’s 1,686 litres and Porsche Cayenne’s 1,708 litres.

If you’re looking for towing power, few other vehicles can match the X5’s capabilities. It has a maximum braked towing capacity of up to 3,500kg – plenty for even large trailers or caravans. That's why the model features on our list of the best cars for towing caravans.

Running costs

The X5’s premium appeal is reflected in its running costs, with entry-level trims falling into insurance group 43 while the top-end M50i trim sits in group 50. When it comes to road tax, the X5 pays an annual rate of £570 – typical for other top-end SUVs.

How a used BMW X5 drives

The X5’s powerful engines are a standout part of the model’s appeal. When equipped with a petrol engine, many used X5s have a 3.0-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 335bhp and 34.5mpg. It can also accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds. Flagship trims may instead come with an M50i engine, delivering 523bhp through a 4.4-litre V8 engine. This engine can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds and delivers 24.6mpg.

As well as its impressive petrol engines, there is also a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel option that generates 282bhp and can go from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds. It is also fuel efficient, achieving 34.0mpg.

The X5 is also available as a plug-in petrol hybrid engine. The 45e engine can achieve 389bhp by combining a six-cylinder, 282bhp petrol engine with a 111bhp electric motor. Thanks to the 24kWh battery, it can travel 54 miles on electric propulsion alone and can increase the X5’s fuel economy to a combined 235.4mpg – much further than the Audi Q7’s quoted 104mpg. It can also accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds and offers 450Nm of torque.

For seamless power delivery and gear changing, many X5s come with BMW’s Steptronic transmission system. This offers a fully automatic drive mode, a manual/sport mode for higher revs and a manual shift mode for times when you want to take control yourself. The system may come in either a six or eight-speed version.

Engines and Official MPG

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive list of engines and their official MPG figures.

2007 - 2013

2014 - 2018

2018 - onwards

Features you can expect in a BMW X5

On the road, the X5’s striking design gives it a distinctive presence. With a flared front grille, sharp lines and sculpted edges, the X5’s masterfully crafted exterior is a class above many of its competitors and gives it real curb appeal. While different trims add 19 or 20-inch alloy wheels, the X5’s road-hugging design will handle curves like a breeze. Opt for the M Sport trim, and you get an even sportier exterior with deeper bumpers and side panels.

Interior

Enter the cabin and you’ll find a luxuriously designed space. Smooth leather runs across the seats and upholstery, with hard-wearing buttons adding to the quality feel of the cockpit. With its black interior, you’ll find silver accents on the steering wheel, air conditioning grilles and gearstick. Choose the M50i trim and seats will instead come with a cognac-coloured Vernasca leather for an even more luxurious driving experience.

Technology

Depending on the model you choose, the X5 may come with a multi-functional steering wheel with a cluster of well-organised buttons helping you easily interact with the X5’s infotainment system and drive controls. In the xLine trim, the steering wheel and the front seats all come with heating functionality, making those winter mornings that bit easier.

Depending on the age of the model, the dashboard may have one 12.3-inch digital screen instead of the typical instrument cluster, plus another 12.3-inch infotainment display set in the centre console. The digital instrument cluster displays key information about your drive, including fuel and charge levels, miles per gallon, distance driven and speed. You can also customise this display to show sat nav guidance, helping you stay focused on the road.

The dashboard screen is home to BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which offers Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, mobile phone mirroring, sound system activation and controls as well as hands-free phone integration. This screen is conveniently tilted towards you for added ease of use. Linked to your infotainment system is a 10-speaker Hi-Fi sound system, but if you choose the M Sport trim, you will benefit from a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System.

Safety

The X5 is also a very safe model, earning Euro NCAP’s five-star safety rating. It has an adult occupancy safety score of 89% and a child occupancy score of 86%. Depending on the age and trim, a used X5 will feature lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking and airbags throughout the cabin, including in the knee space.

Trims available on the BMW X5

BMW X5 xLine

The entry-level xLine trim includes 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights and wipers, climate control, leather seats with driver seat memory, heated steering wheel and seats, ambient interior lighting, matt aluminium roof rails, electrically operated tailgate, BMW’s signature iDrive infotainment system and parking assistant.

BMW X5 M Sport

The M Sport trim adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a lower front bumper with larger air intakes, lower sports suspension and ‘M’ badges featured across the body. There are also gloss black highlights around the exterior, M Sport seatbelts, adaptive LED headlights, M sport differential and metallic dashboard trimming.

BMW X5 M50d

When paired with the M50d engine, the X5 features a six-cylinder, 3.0-litre diesel engine as well as four turbochargers to generate 395bhp and 760Nm of torque.

BMW X5 M50i

This trim adds a 4.4-litre, twin turbo V8 engine that generates around 515bhp, M sport differential and brakes, adaptive M sport suspension, 20-inch wheels and cognac-coloured Vernasca leather.

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