BMW X5: Variants Explained

Which variant of the X5 should you be going for? We answer that question by breaking down the brochure and analysing every use-case scenario

The BMW X5 has long been the go-to choice if you wanted a big SUV that could not only boast of exquisite German engineering but driving pleasure as well. But with two engine options spread across three variants, and a price difference of Rs 10 lakh, it can become a bit confusing to pick the right variant. That’s where we step in, breaking down the variant lineup to not only tell you what they offer, but also which one makes the most sense for you.

Let’s first take a look at how much these variants are going to set you back by:

All prices are ex-showroom India

Here are the two powertrain options BMW India is offering on the X5:

BMW’s all-wheel-drive system, xDrive, is standard on all variants of the X5.

SportX

Price - Rs 74.90 lakh

Powertrain - xDrive30d

The SportX variant is the least expensive BMW X5 on sale in India and can only be had with a diesel engine. Here’s what it has to offer:

Exterior:

• LED headlamps

• LED tail lamps

• LED fog lamps

• Two-part tailgate

• Roof rails with aluminium satin finish

• Logo projection from ORVMs

• 19-inch alloy wheels

Interior: 

• Front and rear cupholders in armrest

• Velour floor mats

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

• Panoramic glass roof

• Fine-wood trim ash grain Brown-Metallic High-Gloss

• Leatherette Canberra Beige with Black upholstery or Leatherette Black with Black upholstery

Comfort and convenience:

• Automatic-dimming IRVM

• Automatic headlamps

• Rain sensors

• Automatic operation of tailgate

• Audio controls at the rear

• 4-zone climate control

• Foldable rear seat backrest with 40:20:40 split

• Rear window sunshades with rollers

• Electrically adjustable driver and front passenger seats with memory function for driver

• Smoker’s package

• Head-up Display

• Front and rear parking sensors

• Rear view camera

• Fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster

Infotainment:

• 12.3-inch touchscreen

• Bluetooth and USB connectivity for audio streaming

• Apple CarPlay with wireless functionality

• Gesture control

• 205W, 10-speaker sound system

• iDrive Touch with handwriting recognition with direct access buttons

• 32 GB hard drive for maps and audio files

Safety: 

• 6 airbags

• ABS with Brake Assist

• Attentiveness Assistant

• Corner Braking Control (CBC)

• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) 

• Electric parking brake with auto hold

• Hill descent control

• ISOFIX child seat mounting points

• Run-flat tyres

• Dynamic braking lights

Verdict

The SportX variant of the X5, despite being the base variant, offers a good infotainment package and a safety package on par with the top-of-the-line variant. It does however miss out on some of the X5’s good looks due to the BMW Laser Lights and other exterior styling packages being given a miss. Go for this version of the X5 if functionality is the top priority for you and you can live without the fancy exterior that higher variants have to offer.

xLine

Price - Rs 82.90 lakh

Powertrain - xDrive30d

If you are looking to go for the top-spec variant of the X5 and your choice of fuel is diesel, the xLine variant is what you should be looking at. Here’s why:

Exterior:

• Aluminium-satin finish on kidney grille with Pearl Chrome frame

• Window frame with aluminium-satin finish

• Air inlets with aluminium-satin finish

• Pearl chrome surround with aluminium-satin finish on side vents

• Specific grilles in the front lateral air inlets in black High-Gloss

• Side skirts trim with trim strip in aluminium with satinised look

• Tailpipe trims in aluminium with satinised look

• Door sill strips with ‘BMW’ designation

• Car key with Chrome clasp

• BMW Laser Light Headlights - 3 Level LED lights

• L-shaped LED DRLs with cornering lights

• Adaptive headlights with selective beam and high beam assistant

• Accent lighting with turn indicators

• 20-inch alloy wheels

Interior:

• Instrument panel covered in leatherette

• ‘CraftedClarity’ Glass application on interior elements

• Fine-wood trim poplar grain Anthracite-Brown open-pored

• Upholstery design: Leather 'Vernasca' design-perforated Ivory White with Black, Leather 'Vernasca' design-perforated Coffee with Black, Leather 'Vernasca' design-perforated Cognac with Black or Leather 'Vernasca' design-perforated Black with Black

Comfort and convenience:

• 2 USB C-type sockets for second row

• BMW Key with LCD panel and touch operation

• Surround view cameras with 360 degree view including top view, panorama view and 3D view

• Telephony with wireless charging and extended functionality

Infotainment:

• Harman Kardon Surround Sound system (464 W, 16 speakers)

Verdict

If bringing a fully loaded variant home, in a diesel avatar, is your thing, then the xLine variant of the X5 is perfect for you. In terms of features, it only misses out on a couple of things compared to the top-spec M Sport variant, which you won’t even notice in the long run. And with this variant being the best you can get when it comes to diesel, you can have the best of both worlds: a near top-of-the-line variant and a low running cost.

M Sport

Price - Rs 84.40 lakh

Powertrain - xDrive40i

If you are one of the select few for whom only a petrol engine will do, your choices are limited when it comes to the X5. In fact, you only have one: the top-of-the-line M Sport variant. The side effects of this choice are that you get the most luxuriously specced version of the X5 sold in India and performance that will give sports cars a run for their money. Here’s how it will differ from the previous variants: 

Exterior: 

• M Aerodynamics package with front apron, side skirts and wheel arch trims in body colour

• BMW individual High-Gloss Shadow line

• M designation on the sides

• M sport brake with blue painted brake callipers with M designation

• Rear apron with diffuser insert

• Tailpipe finishers in M Sport package-specific geometry

• M door sill finishers, illuminated and M-specific pedals

• BMW individual headliner anthracite

• M Sport package-specific car key

• BMW Individual roof rails High-Gloss Shadow Line

• 20-inch M alloy wheels

Interior: 

• M leather steering wheel

• Fine-wood trim 'Fineline Stripe' Brown High-Gloss

Comfort and convenience:

• Comfort seats with electrically adjustable lumbar support for driver and front passenger

• Memory function for front passenger seat

Verdict

The M Sport variant is best-suited for BMW purists, for whom performance comes first and the SUV form of the X5 comes second. The petrol engine allows the X5 to reach 100kmph from standstill one second faster than the diesel. Apart from this you get better front seats and an ‘M’ specific exterior and interior. Go for this variant if ‘ultimate driving pleasure’ is what you seek from your BMW X5.

Read More on : X5 Automatic