The key thing here is the new powertrain. Available for the first time in the Philippines is the X5 xDrive50e M Sport. The “e” suffix here connotes a plug-in hybrid powertrain. On its own, the electric motor makes 197 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque. But then, add 313 horsepower and 450 Nm courtesy of one of the best engines BMW currently makes—the B58 3.0-liter inline-6—and the outputs jump to a combined 489 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque. Everything is routed through an 8-speed automatic.

The net effect is that this electrified X5 drives like a monster. Simply put your pedal down on the accelerator, and it’ll go. For as long as you keep your right foot planted, it’ll provide eye-widening acceleration with no sense of easing off. In less than five seconds, you’re already past the legal speed limit. The electric to combustion switchover is seamlessly good too. Modulate the pedal effort to within the blue part of the digital speedo (in hybrid mode), and it can go with the gas engine cranking at up to 140 km/h.

As a plug-in hybrid, the X5 carries a 29.5-kWh (25.7-kWh usable) along with a 69-liter fuel tank. The spec sheet says it can do up to 110 kilometers of all-electric driving which is close to our observed 100-kilometer range (3.92 km/kWh). Relying on the spec sheet, the X5 xDrive50e can do 125 km/L, but that’s assuming that the battery’s topped up. Once that’s been depleted and it switches over to hybrid mode, it’ll go down to around 10.9 km/L which is, all things considered, still impressive given the performance. Bottomline? If you want to maximize the efficiency of a PHEV, you’ve got to charge it. Thankfully, that can be done with the bundled portable charger or with a wall box (DC fast charging isn’t supported).

Despite weighing in at 2,495 kilograms, BMW engineers have found a way to disguise all weight. Thanks to standard adaptive dampers with self-leveling suspension, it simply belittles its size and weight, especially when tackling high-speed, twisty roads. It remains flat and neutral, while also exhibiting plenty of grip and tight body control. It’s incredibly stable and reassuring to drive. The steering too is precise and well-weighted making this P 7-million large SUV one of the best in the luxury SUV category.

The trick adaptive dampers have also given the X5 a super-smooth ride, all things considered. Although the tuning is still more firm than cushy, it does dull out the sharpest-edged potholes and ruts despite the low-profile, thick tires. Sadly, there’s noticeable suspension noise around town. The mixed ratio 21-inchers may look great, but they do tend to get vocal, especially over rougher pavement.

Style-wise, the X5 isn’t exactly beautiful, but it’s big and brash. Plus, in typical BMW fashion, it’s been dialed up to 11 for this update with even more lines, angles, and even a double kidney grille that lights up at night. This is echoed inside with a dashboard that’s busy in terms of design and choice of materials.

Still, at least everything’s easy enough to use. Finding a comfortable driving position is easy with electric movement that covers everything, including adjustable bolsters. The steering wheel too moves electrically and this ties into the two-seat memory, or if you prefer, a saved driver profile. Whatever the seating position you end up in, the view from all directions is commanding. Plus, the materials are just downright posh even in places you won’t normally go poke around in. Well, save for the air vents which are flimsy.

With such generous width to play with, the X5 feels airy with plenty of head and leg room whether at the front or the back. Even with the rear seats up, the cargo capacity is capacious at 500 liters. And despite having a sizeable high-voltage battery, it’s only reduced the amount of underfloor storage compared to the diesel. When needed, the rear bench drops down in a 40/20/40 split allowing the transport of long objects and up to four passengers at the same time. The split tailgate design is also very handy when loading larger items, too: you can rest them on the lower half, which folds down to form a shelf, before sliding them into the boot. It also makes a good picnic seat too. Both tailgate sections are powered, and the ride height can be lowered with a convenient button located there as well.

Like other BMWs, the X5 ditches most physical knobs and buttons in favor of hitting buttons on the touchscreen. Although the rotary iDrive knob’s a hold out here, the BMW Operating System 8.5’s menu structure and layout promotes the use of the 14.9-inch touchscreen instead. Its confusing at first as it’s got endless configuration menus and settings available, but once you put in the time, you’ll get it to work exactly as you want it to. BMW ConnectedDrive is now standard and this displays, among other things, real-time traffic and weather info. The driver gets a 12.3-inch all digital gauge cluster too. The graphics are sharp, but the look, whatever the mode, is busy.

For 2025, this solitary X5 variant (the diesels are now gone), also has an expanded selection of automated driving and parking aids. The BMW Highway Assistant Professional adds speed limit assist, exit warning, active navigation, route speed control, emergency stop assistant, lane change assist, and merging assistant on top of enhanced capabilities to its front-collision warning system which can detect pedestrians and cyclists. While the clever Reversing Assistant in the Parking Assistant Professional means it can park into and out of spaces, and remember maneuvers over up to 200 meters. It can even be controlled from the outside using the My BMW App on an iPhone.

After all this time, you could say that BMW has gotten to know the luxury SUV demographic. As it stands, not only has the X5 managed to nail down a solid foundation, but they’ve built on top of that a truly convincing product offering. As it stands, the BMW XDrive 50e M Sport impresses with its overall quality and superb driving dynamics. It is, continues to be, and for the foreseeable future be the standard in its class.