If you’re looking for a fairly efficient BMW X5, there’s already one in the range; the (N.A. market) xDrive35d diesel, but if you want something more high-tech, BMW introduced the xDrive40e PHEV.
It’s BMW’s first ever plug-in hybrid crossover and the first X5 to be offered with a four-cylinder engine in North America.
It pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine rated for 240hp and 260lb-ft of peak torque to an 111hp and 184 lb-ft electric motor for a combined output of 308hp and 332 lb-ft, enough to propel the X5 xDrive40e from 0-60mph (96km/h) in 6.5 seconds.
The electric motor is placed in the front section of the 8-speed automatic transmission that can be ordered with paddle-shifts, with power from the two units driving all-four wheels. The system is completed with a lithium-ion battery that eats up 150 liters from the boot reducing it to 500 liters.
US EPA mileage is estimated at 55 MPGe, which includes the use of both the gasoline engine and electric motor, with the SUV offering a maximum battery-only driving range of 13 miles (21 kilometers) at speeds of up to 75mph (120km/h).
You can charge the battery through the optional BMW Charging Station in approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes – or you can just get the diesel X5 xDrive35d with 53hp less but 81 lb-ft more for the same 0-60mph time and an estimated fuel economy of 24mpg city and 31mpg highway and save yourself the trouble…
Correction: a previous version of this article mentioned that the X5 PHEV was presented at the New York Auto Show. Turns out that only the regular X5s were on display like the pictured X5M.
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