• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, August 12, 2024

If ever there was a vehicle to take to the country club, it’s the BMW X5. 

I pulled up to my tennis lesson (sadly at a public court, not a country club) and my pro said “nice Beemer.”  I gently corrected her:  “I think you mean Bimmer. Beemer is what BMW motorcycles are called.”  She took the note well, then went on to give me plenty of instruction over the next 90 minutes about my tennis game.

Maybe I’m splitting hairs, but I feel like nicknames are a part of the larger brand identity so should be used correctly. Besides, BMW agrees with me. While we are at it, Porsche is always two syllables. Do not shorten it to “Porsh.”

But back to the BMW X5. I had the xDrive50e plug-in hybrid version. 

I was happy to get some more seat time in this model. I drove the gas-powered version very briefly last fall during a BMW event, and while I liked it, I questioned the price. The version I test-drove last week starts at $72,500 and with destination charges and added features, ended up at $87,745. 

Some of its competitors include the Volvo XC90 Recharge, which starts at $71,900, and the Lexus TX plug-in hybrid, stating at $78,050. 

With that in mind, the price is not out of line. 

BMW says its plug-in hybrid SUV is “powerful and stylish – combining the benefits of an electric vehicle with the flexibility of a combustion engine.” 

The more I drive plug-in hybrids, the more I like them. Plug-in hybrids are really the best of both worlds. With this model, you get about 38 miles of electric range before the vehicle seamlessly switches over to using gasoline. That’s enough to take most people to work and back.

The X5 xDrive50e comes with a Flexible Fast Charger that can be used with any 120V outlet, giving you a full charge overnight. 

I was most impressed with the luxurious, comfortable seats. The model I test drove featured Sensafin, which is fake -- aka “vegan" -- leather.  I honestly didn’t know it wasn’t real leather until I looked at the Monroney.  BMW says it has a “soft, leather-like feel, exclusive three-dimensional stitching and perforated surfaces for high seating comfort.” 

I also liked the Crystal Gear Selector, which also adds to the upscale feel of the car. I’ve heard others complain about the kidney-shaped grill in the front, but I didn’t find it over-the-top from a styling standpoint. 

On the practical side, the cargo area is roomy — 33.9 cubic feet, or 72.3 cubic feet with the second row seats folded flat.  Even with the second row of seats up. there’s a huge amount of space available. And I appreciated the split tailgate, which helps keep items from falling out of the vehicle when you open the rear hatch. 

So what didn’t I like?  

It has lane-keeping, but no hands-free option, even at low speeds. The safety warnings seem easily triggered. It’s a little disconcerting when you are staring straight at the road and are flagged for being distracted. 

I could have turned the warnings off, but I don’t usually because these systems make us better drivers —  if they don’t annoy the heck out of us first. 

All in all, this Bimmer is a solid choice for someone looking for a luxury SUV that offers great storage capacity but is still nimble enough to live up to its "ultimate driving machine" moniker.