2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e - Economy, Stupid! (ENG) - Test Drive and Review

[@rocketdreamer]

I have IAS and never felt unstable on the autobahn. Clever review as usual, with jnusual and v intelligent remarks. The car is consistent with its market, at top notch of it. Love the six is there instead of a downsized option. Bravo!

[@MarekDrivesENG]

In which car? Maybe they fixed it, but I recall BMW X5 and X7, as well as the M850i Coupe, and Porsche 911 Carrera 4S with IAS equivalent being a bit twitchy on the motorway. While I appreciate what the system does for the car's low speed maneuverability and fast cornering, I hated it on the motorway. It felt unnatural. Actually, not that I think of it, I think the 911 GTS Targa 4 I drove in the winter of 2022 also had rear wheel steering, and it was also terrible on the motorway. RWD 911s with RWS are OK.

[@minimoto99]

The spec on this X5 is stunning. It's still my favourite shape SUV.

[@Anders_HeymSR30]

I have the X5 40i which I chose over the 45e precisely because I don’t want the extra 350 kilo and complications, as well as a detuned B58 engine

[@UserErr0r3578]

Also, I would add that the design of the PHEV model boot floor gets a big fat NO. It's seems to be slightly reclining outwards, meaning round objects will roll out if you lower the tailgate :) No such issue in regular mild hybrid models.

[@scooter5940]

Same for me. I loved the idea of the PHEV, and I do a lot of very short trips which is ideal - but half my miles come from long road trips where the battery isn’t very useful and the car actually gets worse mileage. Bottom line, the extra weight, cost, and possible reliability hit from maintaining two separate electric and ICE systems just didn’t make sense for me. Some people love them, but there are also those experiencing reliability issues.

[@HS-sr9ww]

@@scooter5940 no one had a major issue on 50e yet tho.

[@Fabeman1]

I experience quite different consumption figures than what you claim in your review. Just took my 50e on a family road trip and vacation in Europe. Drove 2400km (highways mostly) with a total of 4 passengers, trunk completely full plus bike rack with a mountain bike on it. I did not recharge the batteries along the way and averaged around 10 liters/100 km while almost always driving around 140-160 km/h. I think that’s pretty great considering total weight and speed (I also have 22 inch rims with the M sports pack), and it is around 2 liters/100km less than my previous X5 40e, which goes to show that bigger and more powerful engines are not necessarily less economical. This car is an excellent highway cruiser.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Where in Europe did you sustain longer distances of driving 140-160 km/h during the summer? Germany is all construction work and traffic, and everywhere else (except for Poland) the speed limit is 130 or lower, and it is usually strictly enforced ;) Still, good for you. I was driving it in the spring, so maybe it was slightly cooler, and the hybrid system wasn't as efficient.

[@Michel0sso]

@@MarekDrivesENG If you drive at 130 km/h (speed limit) in an Italian autostrada you risk being insulted (best case scenario), or being rammed from the back (worst case).

[@99solutionsit10]

14:28 - almost to have a heart attack seeing how close to the gate was the right side mirror! 🙈

[@MarekDrivesENG]

It's a 360 camera, so there is some distortion, but that's the only way I can fit. The street is narrow, and depending on the turning radius longer cars can either barely make it in one go, or I need to stop and correct. AFAIR it is possible to save a series of maneuvers in a given location so that the car knows exactly what to do in case it doesn't fit in one go :)

[@tonymcgenius1844]

Entertaining review as always 👍

[@BroskiTalent]

damn that was close to the gate! 14:21 phew 😅

[@MarekDrivesENG]

That's normal. The street/gate situation is complicated enough that nowadays it trips most reverse collision mitigation systems, and cars brake abruptly way too far from any obstacle.

[@TEVAssociation]

We loved it and even dared to compare with GLE450e ! Let's see if new XC90 Recharge can compete with then with reveal next month ?

[@bfraumeni]

Tailgating Mode ⭐⭐

[@Snowhite808]

it is a hoot to drive, if somebody else pays for petrol and service/repairs. So the mildhyb diesel will be more of a solution and practical choice. Also, perhaps it is enough too, in regards of performance. And the price of getting this - over a diesel - maybe only justified if the local laws kill the diesel so, it would make sense. But I always hate the range anxiety even on petrol/diesel machinery. Currently a full tank means 1300-1400km. But with that petrol powerhouse and 20mpg - this would mean 7-800km tank at best. They could perhaps also design the big display a bit more fluid or integrated into the dash. It seems a bit foreign body the way it is now.

[@DBrealmadrid9606]

One question: does this have vernasca leather in the middle part of the seat? The pre-LCI had that even if you opted for merino seats if they are ventilated.

[@sveinnarn]

I get less than 9 l./100km consumption on mine with empty battery. Pretty decent.

[@katyagourgel6900]

Hello Sir, Thanks for Nice the review. I would like to know if there are special cup that allow to be heated or cooled. Kind regards, Fan from Portugal 🇵🇹

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Cup or cupholders? The latter are heated and cooled. Cups? I guess a can of soda, a bottle of water, a disposable coffee cup could be heated or chilled this way. Or more precisely - they would maintain their temperature longer.

[@marcelj2451]

It is a beautiful and very comfortable car. I also have since 4 month a 50e and a comute of about 88 kilometer to the office. I charge at home and at the office so overall I drive 90% electronic. I love my car. Which green color do you have? It looks great but it is probably an individual color.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

BMW Individual AURORA DIAMOND GREEN METALLIC

[@Ostap1974]

You probably forgot to pay for SaaS (steering as a service) subscription fee. Luckily the AWD is still decent.

[@MrAndrei4777]

All of these PHEVs are a great deal as a company car.

[@puff0086]

My dream SUV...

[@cthis4786]

is that oxford or boston green?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

490 BMW Individual AURORA DIAMOND GREEN METALLIC

[@The19610211]

12 ltr/100 km, nah, that’s not right. Driving from Tuscany to Vienna in my 4 year old petrol V6 (not hybrid) I easily achieved 8.5 ltr/100 km. This was a mix of mostly 140 km/hr and 100 km/hr motorway driving. When in cities it’s usual to have about 11 ltr/100 km.

[@luccoppens]

good review thank you ! I drive an X5 xdrive50e now one year and in normal hybride driving with an empty battery the consumption is never higher then 8L/100km more like 7,5L . Only in sport mode and you drive her sporty the consumption is higher but I never had moor then 10L/100km . What I like the most on a phew is you get the best of both worlds eclectic drive in complet silence up to 135km/h and the wonder full 6cyl petrol engine if wanted or needed .

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Thanks for sharing! Where do you live/drive the car mainly?

[@alliejr]

Great review as always! But your assessment that it feels “taught” is being kind. Be driven around NYC area in an X5 it feels like I’m riding in a go-cart. Way too firm for a luxury car that no one will drive hard.

[@gexpe2003]

thank you BMW for ditching 2 liter engines on your premium models

[@mattclarke1626]

Tax breaks of PHEV are a big plus for those of us that tow 3.5t with our SUV and couldn't face the impossibly short towing range of fully electric SUV.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Fair point. Are there still PHEV tax breaks in your region that would make this an economically interesting proposition?

[@mattclarke1626]

@MarekDrivesENG The UK benefit in kind tax liability is £234.79 on an X5 xDrive50e M Sport with options ordered Nov 2024. Just checked and it is £910.69 for the X5 xdrive 30d MHT Msport. That is some incentive to cart an extra 200 kg battery around in the boot for the next 3 years.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Is that an annual or one-time tax?

[@mattclarke1626]

@MarekDrivesENG monthly!

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Bugger me with a fish fork!

[@kevinn1158]

I think this is a sharp design but honestly, the X3 is so big now it makes me wonder why buy this.... X3 is 17k less. This would be more attractive if they put a 3rd row in it like the Acura MDX. Anyways, looking good slimming down Marek you sexy beast.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I've seen the new X3 just 2 days ago, and while it's considerably smaller, than the X5, it finally gets a decent battery and 11 kW charging in the PHEV, so it is worth a look.

[@kevinn1158]

@@MarekDrivesENG well so far the new PHEV isn’t coming to Canada while the old PHEV did. I think it’s just the 48v system

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Everything else is a mild hybrid in Europe. I don't know if they kept non-electrified powertrains for the NA market. Maybe something normal for the Middle East as well.

[@rohanw1989]

The X5 does have 7 seats as an option but those two seats are cramped.

[@dougdougeson8692]

I’m a good case to answer your Q. I moved from a 2018 x3m40i to a 2020 x5 30d because primarily I wanted 7 seats (meaning I couldn’t have a hybrid option). I’ll be honest, I love it. The 30d is noticeably slower than the m40, but it’s fast enough for me to drive like I rented it. The extra rear space is the most noticeable difference it’s brilliant, I’m able to use 3 child seats where the x3 I simply couldn’t. The boot is bigger but only by 100L. The air suspension makes it different world in comfort, but not enough to offset the reduced handling. Summary, I think the x3 is a better all round option especially when factoring in cost, but I’m happy with my choice. In hindsight I’ll buy the x5 again, but If cost was an issue for me in anyway, I wouldn’t see much less experience with an x3, the x3 is one of the best cars I’ve ever owned.

[@devil5741]

Marek, each video you become better and better, which can't be said about BMW 🤦

[@AlicanteTrailCam]

How much!!!!

[@stefanp.9222]

These big SUVs should be sold only in diesel versions, as they seem better suited for long jurneys. As for the PHEV powertrain, BMW is a bit behind on charging speed. 7kW for a 25kWh battery is a joke. Even Skoda has now 50 kW fast charging on PHEVs.

[@lucdevriese2134]

Still the best bmw on sale but too big/heavy for me. I’d rather have an x3 with the engine of the x5 hybrid!

[@domaspole]

Did you stop making traditional last Friday of the month themed videos?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

No, it's not the last Friday of the month :)

[@namechecksout6300]

Marek! I see you lost weight! Good stuff, sir!

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Yes I have. It turns out it wasn't about eating less and exercising more :(

[@makar126]

Got killed by the price.

[@hughmusbekidding]

Love the new X5 50E look and the straight six engine but its got a slow charger and obsolete operating system and a lot of expensive moving parts to maintain and break. OS 8.5 (Linux based) maybe the latest but its also last release of a dead operating system and is not upgradeable to OS9 ( Android based) as installed in the pure electric BMWs and new X3. The journalists and traditionalists may hate it but new buyers are raised in a technical not a mechanical world and nobody any good wants to work on dead software. Also frankly BMW dealerships are dicks to deal with. I walked in with retirement cash and a deep desire to purchase a year ago and walked out with cash. They appear to be in the finance business not the put cars on the road business.

[@MG2.5.4.]

I say this with a mindset of constructive criticism …The music on this channel is so cringe …😂.

[@podge5555]

Yeah like something from the 90’s 😂

[@MG2.5.4.]

I wish, the 90s has some good stuff. This is some 2010s niche junk.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Please write to: [e-mail]

[@podge5555]

@@MarekDrivesENG the point we’re trying to make is that it’s very dated having music running in the background

[@ShowMeWhatINeedToKnow]

Agree - iDrive 8.x sucks.

[@BillyNoMates1974]

22 mpg is a joke. My misses Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets 34 mpg (imperial) over 140 miles with a flat battery and charging mode activated.

[@mikidof]

Your Mitsubishi doesn’t have a turbocharged 380 horsepower inline 6 engine

[@natoftw]

Plug-ins make no sense to me. Either pure ICE or EV, otherwise its a compromise between the two.

[@takuan650]

For most people I guess this car is over built, over gimmicked, over powered, over priced and over uglyfied although that's up to personal taste. Is there a simple straight forward (electric) car without all these idiot modes and peeps and poops that one can buy without going bankrupt ?