Specifications of BMW X5 (G05) 25d (231 HP) xDrive Steptronic

General characteristics of BMW X5 (G05) 25d (231 HP) xDrive Steptronic

The X5 is no longer the default choice in this class for a sporty drive; this may have been the case in the past, but there is much more competition nowadays. The Porsche Cayenne - and arguably the Audi Q7 as well - now offer at least as much, and in some ways more, fun from behind the wheel, with more communicative steering than the X5, which has a rather numb tiller. It still handles well and holds on gamely if you throw it around, but Porsche and Audi rivals are nipping at its heels. When it comes to the important SUV duties of riding comfortably and trailering, things are also quite close between the aforementioned German rivals: The ride is absorbent and well-damped in the X5, and all models have a towing capacity of 7,200 pounds - the Cayenne has a 7,700-pound max while the Audi Q7 manages just 7,000 lbs.

The X5 doesn't offer a base four-cylinder engine like the Q7 and GLE do, starting off with a 335-hp inline-six. The 45e plug-in hybrid has a strong 389 hp on tap, and the top-performing M50i packs a potent 523-hp V8. All X5 models accelerate eagerly, thanks to standard launch control across the range.

The 2023 X5 is still an excellent car in its class, but it's no longer the best. Its engines are powerful, interior finishes are of high quality, and the SUV accommodates its passengers in comfort on any type of road. But there are rivals that do all of this and more. The Porsche Cayenne has all these bases covered and is sportier to pilot; the Genesis GV80 is not only a class act in terms of styling, quality, and performance, but it also costs less than an X5.

The lack of standard driver-assistance features counts against the X5, however, and on this score, it can't hold a candle to the generously equipped Genesis. There is also no base four-cylinder at a more affordable price - not that we're complaining about the selection on offer, as they're all excellent. The BMW X5 hybrid is a proper PHEV too, with a decent electric range, but it's the range-topping V8 model that provides truly thundering performance - albeit a price. Still, it's hard not to gravitate toward the X5.