BMW X5 E53 1999-2003

The production of the first BMW X5 started immediately after the purchase of Land Rover by BMW. Thus, the BMW X5 borrowed some elements and features from the Range Rover L322, such as hill descent control, but also electronic components from the BMW E39 model.

The external appearance was quite massive and imposing, thanks to the headlights elongated to the side and the sharp lines on the hood and sides. The interior featured elements from the BMW 5 Series (E39), with the BMW Business Case head unit being standard on all E53 X5 models.

The first X5 came available with a range of 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engines or a 4.4-litre and 4.6-litre V8. A 3.0-liter inline-six turbo-diesel was also offered.

BMW X5 E53 Facelift 2003-2007

After the success of the first X5, BMW introduced a facelift version of it in 2003. Improvements were made to the exterior, headlights, grille, bumper and new taillights. The interior received a new infotainment system, with a color display.

Improvements continued under the hood, where BMW installed more powerful engines, the 4.6-liter V8 being replaced with a 4.8-liter unit, and the diesel engine now offered 218 horsepower. Moreover, the X5 Facelift introduced the all-wheel drive system called xDrive.

BMW X5 E70 2006-2010

The second generation X5 was introduced in 2006 and represented a major improvement over the previous generation. It came on a new platform, was longer, wider and was the first BMW with seven seats.

BMW specific, the grille was enlarged, the headlights as well and the lines on the body gave the car a much more muscular appearance. The interior has been arranged much better, now having the infotainment system above the center console, which is wider at the bottom, where the i-Drive system is also located. Also, the new electronic ‘joy-stick’ style shifter has been adopted from the 5 Series.

Under the hood, BMW installed a 3.0-liter inline-six gasoline engine, 4.8-liter V8 or 4.4-liter V8. The diesel engine came exclusively from a 3.0 liter inline six.

BMW X5 E70 Facelift 2010-2013

The E70 received a facelift for the 2011 model year known as the LCI. Also, for the 2011 model year, the X5 became BMW’s third best-selling model, after the 3 Series (E90) and 5 Series (F10).

Therefore, the facelift model came with a series of exterior improvements, both in front and in the back. BMW has also introduced EfficientDynamics and an 8-speed automatic gearbox with Steptronic as standard on all X5 models. Under the hood, BMW introduced a 302-horsepower turbo six-cylinder for the xDrive35i, while a 400-horsepower twin-turbo V8 powers the new xDrive50i.

BMW X5 F15 2013-2018

The third generation X5 was introduced in 2013 and came with a lot of updates. First of all, the exterior design came with a new look, with a larger grid, without borders, but which combines the two restyled headlights.

The interior was more spacious, came with updated design and new technology, including a 10.25-inch color display infotainment unit, along with the latest iDrive technology and head-up display.

The new X5 came with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, both with a 300-horsepower 3.0-liter turbo six. A 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 444 horsepower was offered in the all-wheel-drive xDrive50i, and the diesel option returned with the xDrive35d and a 255-horsepower six-cylinder turbodiesel. Moreover, the X5 also had a plug-in hybrid version.

BMW X5 G05 2018-2023

The fourth generation of the X5 was launched in 2018 and is built on a new Cluster Architecture chassis. To make it even more imposing, BMW enlarged the grille again and thinned the shape of the standard LED headlights. At the same time, this X5 comes with a redesigned rear silhouette and new optical blocks, different from the previous generation which seemed unchanged.

And the interior represents a huge evolution, bringing fresh air to the entire board. We have very few physical buttons, a digital instrument cluster, a large screen infotainment unit and a redesigned gear shifter.

All 2019 X5 models were equipped with xDrive all-wheel drive, and a rear-wheel drive sDrive variant was added to the US model lineup for 2020. Engine capacities ranged from a 2.0-liter turbo diesel to a 4.4-liter V8 turbo gasoline unit, but also a hybrid version.

BMW X5 G05 Facelift 2024-Present

For 2024, BMW has prepared a Facelift version. It comes with narrower headlights with arrow-shaped daytime running lights, an almost unchanged but illuminated grille and a bumper with vertical air intakes. At the rear, the biggest change is given by the new inner structure of the taillights.

The evolution is also impressive inside, where the piece of resistance is the curved screen panel, which includes the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and the 14.9-inch central display. Also, the gear shifter was replaced by a very discreet mini-lever. The new X5 is full of technology and includes the navigation system with augmented graphics on the head-up display, the assistant that allows autonomous driving on the highway or the parking assistant that allows controlling the car from the outside.

Under the hood, the base 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine received an extra 47 hp, and together with the electric motor, the total output increases to 490 horsepower.

The basic diesel still has 3.0 l, and the Mild hybrid develops 298 HP and 670 Nm. The X5 is also available with a plug-in hybrid system, xDrive50e that develops a total of 490 HP.