Official: 2019 BMW X5 Becomes Bigger And Bolder To Battle Mercedes’ GLE

BMW‘s year of the X continues as the company has officially unveiled the 2019 X5 following a flood of leaks.

Looking instantly recognizable, the redesigned crossover has a more assertive appearance as it adopts a massive chrome grille and a sportier front bumper with large air intakes. Moving further back, the X5 adopts edgier bodywork and a distinctive character line that kicks up in the middle of the rear doors.

Other notable styling features include front fender vents and slender LED taillights which eschew BMW’s familiar L-shape. The model also has a chromed dual exhaust system and a tailgate-mounted spoiler.

A number of styling packages will be available and xLine variants will have matte aluminium accents, additional brightwork and 19-inch alloy wheels. The M Sport models go in a different direction as they have additional body-color components, larger air intakes, high-gloss black accents and 20-inch wheels.

Overall, the X5 grows 36mm (1.4 inches) in length, 66mm (2.6 inches) in width and 19mm (0.7 inches) in height. The wheelbase is also slightly longer than before as it now stretches an additional 42mm (1.6 inches).

The evolutionary styling continues in the cabin but the X5 features higher quality materials, new switchgear and updated technology. Drivers sit behind a new steering wheel and find themselves facing a digital instrument cluster. It resides next to a 12.3-inch infotainment system featuring improved menus and more customization options.

Elsewhere, the X5 has chromed air vent surrounds and a digital display for showing the climate control settings. The crossover can also be equipped with ambient LED lighting and heated/cooled cup holders.

Speaking of options, BMW will offer a four-zone climate control system and a 30 percent larger panoramic glass roof. Customers can also order a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System and a rear seat entertainment system which includes two 10.2-inch displays and a Blu-Ray player.

While the toys are nice, many people buy crossovers for their practicality. These shoppers should be happy to know the boot holds 645 liters (22.7 cubic feet) of luggage and that can be expanded to 1,860 liters (65.6 cubic feet) by folding the rear seats down.

The X5 will continue to be offered with an optional third-row seat. However, buyers who typically haul seven-passengers should probably wait for the upcoming X7.

Four Engines At Launch

At launch, the X5 will be offered with a total of four petrol and diesel options. Starting with the petrol units, the base engine is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six which develops 340 PS (250 kW / 335 hp) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. It enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.5 seconds before hitting a top speed of 243 km/h (151 mph).

Buyers looking for something more powerful can opt for the X5 xDrive50i which has a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 producing 462 PS (350 kW / 455 hp) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque. While this particular model won’t be offered in Europe, it runs from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.7 seconds and tops out at 250 km/h (155 mph).

Despite growing concerns about diesel engines, BMW is sticking with them and will offer two in the new X5. The entry-level unit is a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder developing 265 PS (195 kW / 261 hp) and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque.

The real standout is the performance-oriented X5 M50d which has a quad-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 400 PS (294 kW / 394 hp) and 760 Nm (560 lb-ft) of torque. It allows the crossover to run from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Regardless of which engine is selected, all will be paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission which sends power to a rear-biased all-wheel drive system. Additional variants will be added in the future including a plug-in hybrid and a high-performance X5 M.

Sticking with the performance theme, the redesigned X5 now comes standard with a Dynamic Damper Control system. The model can also be equipped with four-wheel steering and a limited-slip rear differential. Customers can also order an air suspension which can lower the vehicle to ease cargo loading or raise the ride height by 40mm (1.5 inches) to improve off-road capability.

Speaking of the latter, the X5 will be offered with a new off-road package. It includes the aforementioned air suspension and limited-slip differential as well as underbody skid plates. Other goodies include off-road focused displays and a dedicated controller for adjusting the X5’s drive modes which include gravel, rock, sand and snow.

An assortment of driver assistance systems will be available including familiar options such as Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Jam Assist. A new addition is the Emergency Stop Assist system will which safely bring the vehicle to halt if the driver becomes incapacitated due to medical emergency.

The X5 will go on sale in the United States in November and pricing will be announced closer to launch.