Ever since the BMW X5 was launched in the United States back in the early 2000s, it has always been synonymous with punchy performance, car-like driving manners, and a top-notch interior filled with luxurious materials, which made it an instant hit. With the arrival of the plug-in hybrid variant at the beginning of the last decade, BMW managed to make the car a bit more powerful and fuel-efficient too. After a reasonably long hiatus, BMW is back with the plug-in hybrid variant in 2021 and the same is carried forward with some minor updates for 2022.
Offered at a base MSRP of $63,700, the 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e is the middle trim of the X5 lineup. The refined and powerful PHEV motor sees no changes and the car still comes with an elegant interior and exterior design, a feature-packed and intuitive iDrive infotainment system, and a ride quality that could easily dethrone most of its rivals. Competing with the likes of the Volvo XC90 Recharge, Lincoln Aviator PHEV, and Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e.
10 Punchy Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain
The BMW comes powered by the same 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine with a single electric motor, producing a combined 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The power is transmitted to the ground with the help of an xDrive AWD drivetrain, and the transmission duties are handled by the 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The X5 xDrive45e could do a 0-60 mph run in 4.8 seconds and has a maximum towing capacity of 7,000 lbs.
The brisk acceleration of the X5 xDrive45e makes it a joy to drive, and the SUV hides its heavy curb weight very well. Put your foot down from a standstill, and it launches ahead with little to no effort. The mid-range performance is strong, and it revs all the way to the redline smoothly. The automatic transmission is fast and smooth, and the Bimmer never losses traction due to the well-tuned AWD drivetrain.
9 Striking Exterior Design
The exterior design doesn't see a whole lot of differences from the previous year, and it still has elegant body lines, a quintessential BMW kidney grille covered in chrome, and multiple appearance packages, all of which make it a stunner out on the road. The LED headlights with LED DRLs, blacked-out treatment for air dam and side vents, and the massive proportions make it look very butch when viewed from the front.
If you get the optional Shadowline package, the kidney grille gets the blacked-out treatment, making it look sportier. The 19" V-Spoke wheels, reasonable length and wheelbase for the segment, and the neat air vent on the fender look attractive. However, it is the rear that looks the best. The LED taillights, dual exhaust system, and black rear bumper make it very masculine.
8 iDrive Infotainment Is Filled With Features
Even though it is not the new iDrive 8.0 that is about to come with the newer BMW models, the infotainment system of the 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e is still one of the most feature-packed and intuitive systems of the lot. The touch sensitivity is superb, the 12.3" display is bright and vivid, and there are no stutters and lagging.
The standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, navigation, voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and audio streaming. The rotary iDrive controlled is present in the center console, and that makes it a joy to use for the driver. The Harman Kardon audio system, which is an optional extra, offers excellent audio quality throughout the frequency range.
7 Not The Most Spacious
Step into the cabin of the 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e, and you are not going to be disappointed in terms of space and comfort. The front seats are very supportive and have excellent headroom and legroom. However, the ventilation and massaging support are only part of the optional package. The rear seat is very comfortable too, with headroom and legroom that are more than adequate, and the cabin doesn't feel cramped.
The wide front and rear armrest and the multiple holders and cubbyholes add to the versatility. The cargo area is very generous, and the inclusion of battery packs beneath the trunk floor doesn't eat into the space too much. However, the floor has been raised and hence it is a bit more difficult to access the trunk than the regular BMW X5. However, the Lincoln Aviator PHEV is still the most spacious in the segment, and it has more standard features too.
6 A Proper Driver's SUV
The 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e retains the sharp handling characteristic of the outgoing model and is superior to the rivals like the Volvo XC90 Recharge and the Lincoln Aviator PHEV when it comes to the driving experience. The Sport Plus mode is all that is required to make the suspension stiff and acceleration crisper, making it a joy around the corners.
The SUV has less body roll than the rivals, and it grips well onto the road even when pushing to the limits due to the well-tuned xDrive AWD drivetrain. However, we found the electric power steering to be lacking in feel and feedback, which was not the case with the smaller BMW X3 plug-in hybrid. It felt a tad lighter at high speeds, too.
5 Very Frugal
Being a plug-in hybrid luxury SUV, the fuel efficiency turned out to be superb. This also helps the car to be one of the preferred choices for family and individual buyers with high running. Coming with a turbocharged inline-6 motor coupled with an electric motor, the car could do 19 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway.
The plug-in hybrid moniker also could do 46 MPGe when using both the powerplants, and that results in 26 MPG overall. Coming with a 24-kWh battery pack on offer, BMW also claims that the car could do 30 miles on a full charge. Both 110-volt and 220-volt charging is possible too.
4 Beefy Brakes Are Standard
The 4-wheel disc brake setup with ventilated rotors, ABS with EBD, automated emergency braking, and brake assist makes the braking experience of the 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e great. The initial bite is crisp, and a firm press on the brake pedal helps the car stop without major front-end dive.
The braking progression is excellent, and the ABS only kicks in when it is necessary. The ventilated rotors make sure that the heat is dissipated properly as well. Since this is a plug-in hybrid vehicle, regenerative braking is offered and one-pedal driving is possible, however, it is not the smoothest system in the segment.
3 Air Suspension Offers Comfortable Ride
Coming with independent front and rear suspension with air springs means that the ride quality sees no compromises for the 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e. Put the car in comfort mode and the passengers are going to be happy with the soft and supple ride quality that absorbs all the irregularities on the road with ease. Even the reflector projections and minor undulations are filtered well.
You could also adjust the stiffness of the air suspension from the infotainment or digital gauge cluster. If you are going on the highways, we would recommend you to put it into sport mode, which makes the suspension a bit stiffer. The potholes on the highway never pose problems for the car. Even if you equip the X5 with the optional 21" wheels, the ride quality doesn't take much of a hit.
2 5-Star Crash Safety Rating
The 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e doesn't miss out on any safety and driver-assistance features, as most of them are standard for this trim. This includes automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alert system. All the basic safety features are on board as well.
Apart from that, we would also recommend getting the optional parking assistance package and driving assistance professional package to make the car even better and safer. With superb build quality and being packed with features, it received an overall crash safety rating of 5-stars in the NHTSA crash test and excelled in the IIHS crash test, where it got the 2022 top safety pick title.
1 Interior Looks And Feels Premium
The interior quality is one of the areas in which the 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e shines the brightest. The cabin is filled with premium materials, and it feels much more expensive than what the price suggests. The dashboard and door cards are covered in soft-touch leather, aluminum trims, and wooden accents.
If you get the optional Executive Package for an additional $3,300, the car gets diamond cut glass trim elements for the transmission selector and the iDrive controller. Apart from that, the panoramic SKY Lounge LED roof looks stunning and there is also a standard panoramic roof as well. The subtle piano black finish and 11 upholstery colors with 4 different trim insert options are onboard too.