Nice Drives: 2025 BMW X5

One could argue that the heart and soul of BMW, once known as the builder of the best sports sedans in the world, has now become SUVs — or as the Bavarians like to call them, Sport Activity Vehicles.

The X5 is an excellent example of this thesis, as well as being a superb vehicle, whatever one wants to call it.

Now 25 years old, it has gone through four generations. I have owned four examples of three of these iterations, as well as 14 other BMWs. Based on my own experience, it appears that the legendary company is focusing the majority of its resources on designing and building the X-series, which are also its best-selling products.

The test Silver Anniversary X5 was an interesting example of the latest G-series, being equipped with the xOffroad package. Comprised of a mechanical rear differential lock, skid plates, a roof rack, trailer hitch and height-adjustable 4-wheel air suspension. The most obvious change is knobby General Grabber AT3 tires, which do look slightly out of place. They introduce some vagueness to the steering and understeer as one approaches the lower cornering limits on pavement, but thankfully, they are not overly loud at highway speeds.

They also do not compromise on the excellent ride quality; the X5 is king of this category, even surpassing the otherwise more overtly luxurious Genesis GV80. The BMW can also still do high-speed hustling with more elan, as I proved on a drive through southeastern Colorado over rural two-lane roads whose pavement’s waves and heaves provide a severe test of any car’s high-speed damping. Once the pavement ended, the xOffroad package proved its excellence, with multiple modes that adjusted the ABS, throttle response, air suspension and other parameters to best suit the surface.

Once I remembered to turn off the stability control, this X5 would indulge all my slideways rally car fantasies in a way that belies its size and heft.

With the system engaged, the BMW tracked exactly as dictated by the steering, in a subtle and confidence-inspiring manner, no matter the surface.

The X5 has far and away the best powertrain options of any midsize SUV, ranging from a brilliant plug-in hybrid system that has more real-world range than competitors, to the V8-powered X60 and full-fat M models that will rocket to 100mph faster than most get to 60. Even the base engine, dubbed B58, crushes it. This might just be the best BMW inline 6-cylinder ever, which is saying something. The stats, 375hp and 398lb-ft, underrate this mighty mill.

The X5 40 can hit 60 in only 4.4 seconds and do the quarter mile in 13.1. Oh, and it will return high-20s mileage on the highway. That’s a combination of vitriol and virtue unrivaled in the industry. It’s also sonorous in a way that competing V6s rarely are. The 8-speed automatic (built by ZF and shared with many competitors) is also incredibly well programmed and nigh-on perfect in operation, as is the all-wheel drive system. And unlike BMWs or yore, the brakes are a match for the engine.

One area where the X5 is showing its age is the interior. The graining of the plastic moldings looks slightly downmarket and there are too many hard, shiny parts on display below the beltline. This is an area where the Genesis excels, and even some domestic competitors have pulled ahead. Seating comfort is fine in both rows, though the Sensafin faux leather has a sticky feel to it that is a bit off-putting, as is the material that wraps the fat steering wheel rim. But practicality and cargo room are excellent, and the air suspension allows one to lower the whole rig from the split-fold tailgate to make loading easier.

BMW strives to remain at the forefront of the tech wars, as is evidenced by their latest OS and the removal of most actual buttons to control functions like the heated seats, instead relocating them to the screens. Thankfully, these are big (12.3 and 14.9 touch) and fast responding. And the OS is, by and large, quite intuitive. But as in almost every other case where this has been tried, the result is a more cumbersome and less safe way for the driver to interact with commonly used functions.

Genesis learned this lesson and its updated vehicles have hard buttons once again. Maybe the Germans will also reconsider.

Aside from these matters, some of which are personal preference, the X5 is still better than most of the competition. Its balance of ride and handling is more adroit, and its economy and performance balance is unmatched. And now that BMW has decided to retreat from the controversial Modern Brutalism-inspired styling of its recently axed exterior design director, we can hope the X5 will remain good-looking. With a little more care lavished on its cockpit, it can continue to be the standard bearer of the class for years to come.

EPA Ratings: 23/27/25mpg

0-60mph: 4.4sec

Price as tested: $81,075

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Here is what BMW has to say.