Returning this year with few changes, the 2022 BMW X5 excels as a 5-seat, mid-size luxury SUV. BMW seems to have avoided making any significant compromises in handling dynamics for the added utility of an SUV.
A third-row seat with skimpy legroom is available, but why begin compromising there? If you require three rows, we suggest stepping up to the larger BMW X7.
In the X5, as with other BMW models, BMW provides a variety of powertrains. The choices are a turbocharged inline-6-cylinder, a turbocharged V8, and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system.
An 8-speed automatic transmission ushers engine output to the rear wheels in the base X5 sDrive40i and to all the wheels in every other X5.
Even among rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the Audi Q7, or the Lexus RX, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a grander mix of performance, technology, passenger environment, and standard content.
2022 BMW X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i (Starting at $59,400)
The X5 sDrive40i enjoys the distinction of being the only X5 variant with rear-wheel drive (RWD). For an additional $2,300, you can add all-wheel drive (AWD). With AWD, BMW calls it the X5 xDrive40i.
No matter the number of drive wheels, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6-cylinder engine generates the go.
It makes 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. The government-estimated mileage is 21 miles per gallon city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg in combined driving (RWD).
Adding AWD has almost no impact on the estimated mileage. The city number drops by 1 mpg.
Even the X5’s entry-level trappings are impressive, including 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights with auto high beams, LED foglights/taillights, panoramic power moonroof, and dynamic dampers.
Also standard are 16-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, hands-free power rear liftgate, ConnectedDrive, 12.3-inch touchscreen, 10-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
The driver aids include front/rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning with low-speed emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, and lane-departure warning.
Our pick of the X5 variants is the X5 xDrive40i, but we’d add a couple of option packages.
For an extra $1,700, we’d pick up the Driving Assistance Professional Package with adaptive cruise control with stop-go, lane-keeping assist, lane-change assist, evasion assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
We’d also spring for the $800 Parking Assistance Package with active park-distance control, parallel parking assistance, and surround-view cameras with 3D view.
If you want some features like the M appearance cues and Adaptive M Sport Suspension without spending another $20,000 for the M50i, you can get the M Sport Package for $4,700.
Adding $995 to the X540i base price brings the total to $60,395. Financing it for 60 months at 3% interest and no money down works out to a $1,037 monthly payment. See 2022 BMW X5 sDrive40i models for sale and See 2022 BMW X5 xDrive40i models for sale
2022 BMW X5 xDrive40i Includes
- LED lighting – Adaptive headlights with auto high beams, foglights, taillights, and daytime running lights.
- Comfortable seating – 16-way power-adjustable heated front sport seats and a split-folding rear seat.
- Drive-wheel choice – RWD with the X5 sDrive40i or AWD with the X5 xDrive40i.
2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e (Starting at $60,515)
BMW marries its turbocharged inline-6-cylinder engine with an electric motor to create this PHEV. It can travel up to 23 miles on battery power alone.
The government rates its hybrid mileage at 50 MPGe. Once the electrons are exhausted, the estimated mileage on the turbocharged engine alone is 19 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.
In terms of content, there isn’t much difference between the X540i and the X5 xDrive45e. One standard feature found only on the X5 540e is the self-leveling 2-axle air suspension.
Also, the 45e gets an upgraded version of ConnectedDrive that interfaces your BMW with your personal device. Called eDrive Services, it displays such options as range, charge status, and public charging station locations.
For the $61,510 total sales price, add the $995 destination charge to the price of the 45e. Financing that total with no money down for 60 months at a 3% interest rate works out to $1,056 per month. See 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e models for sale
2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e Includes:
- Upgraded suspension – Self-leveling 2-axle air suspension.
- eDrive Services – An expanded version of BMW’s ConnectedDrive adding PHEV information.
- Live Cockpit Pro – 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
2022 BMW X5 M50i (Starting at $82,800)
The M50i is our introduction to the X5’s 4.4-liter turbocharged V8. A more highly tuned version is in the much-pricier X5 M5 and M5 Competition. In the M50i, it generates 532 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.
EPA mileage is 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. Maximum towing is an impressive 7,200 pounds.
The standard equipment builds on that of the X540i with such features as the M Sport Differential, M Sport brakes, and adaptive M Sport Suspension. It also makes standard the rest of the M Sport Package option bundle.
Other goodies included in the base price are 20-inch alloy wheels, Vernasca leather seating, 20-way power-heated/ventilated front seats, quad-zone automatic climate control, and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
The M Sport Package, standard on the M50i, shares most of the same option bundles for the X540i.
Adding the $995 destination charge to the M50i base price brings the total to $83,795. At 3% interest and no money down, a 60-month loan will set you back $1,438 per month. See 2022 BMW X5 M50i models for sale
2022 BMW X5 M50i Includes:
- High-end performance – 532-hp turbocharged V8 and BMW M components.
- Luxury content – 20-way power-heated/ventilated front seats and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi capability and wireless charging.
2022 BMW X5 M (Starting at $105,900)
Taking the M50i and making it track-ready gives you the X5 M. “Track-ready” being the operative adjective.
Other than “mine’s-faster-than-yours” bragging rights, there is no reason to pay a $23,000 premium for the X5 M over the M50i, which is already $21,000 more than the wonderfully athletic X540i xDrive.
But, hey, you can’t take it with you, right?
BMW re-tunes the 4.4-liter turbocharged V8, squeezing out another 68 ponies to 600 hp. That increases to 617 hp if you opt for the $9,300 Competition Package.
The torque number remains the same, regardless of which version of the V8 is under the hood. The estimated fuel economy is 13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined for both the M and the MC.
Adding the $995 destination charge to the base price brings the total to $106,895. Financing that with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest brings the total monthly payment to $1,835. See BMW X5 M models for sale
2022 BMW X5 M includes:
- Extra speed – Another 68 hp and a quicker 0-to-60-mph time.
- More M – The full list of M performance bells and whistles.
- All the tech – All the driver-aid and connectivity technology provided in other X5 variants.
