The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e Plug-in Hybrid: 4 Things We Like, 4 Things We Don’t

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Күн бұрын

BMW has refreshed its mid-size X5 SUV for the 2024 model year, and as part of the effort, it’s boosted the capabilities of its plug-in hybrid variant, the xDrive50e. There’s some slick new styling (maybe the best the X5 has looked in a while, frankly), a new interior sporting some beautifully crafted materials, a new multimedia system on a big rectangular touchscreen display (kinda mixed feelings about that), and an updated PHEV powertrain that promises more power and longer electric driving range.
But the new X5 PHEV is a bit of a mixed bag, we found. Some things are great, some things are OK, some things … well, not so good. In the course of our weeklong evaluation of the new X5, we came up with four things we really like about the latest model and four we don’t, and we present them here for your edification.
Join Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman as he takes you through our list of likes and dislikes of the new 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e, and see if you share our opinion of what’s right and what’s wrong with BMW’s latest plug-in hybrid SUV.
Research and compare the 2024 BMW X5 PHEV:
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Read more about the 2024 BMW X5: www.cars.com/articles/2024-bm...
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:18 Like: styling
0:40 Like: interior materials
1:20 Like: EV range
2:00 Like: ride and handling
2:36 Dislike: electric-to-gasoline transitions
3:50 Dislike: adaptive regenerative brakes
4:47 Dislike: climate controls
5:29 Dislike: phone connectivity
6:19 It’s a mixed bag
Editorial mission:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Пікірлер: 59

@rjacksonappraisal 5 ай бұрын

I test drove the car , no jerky transition from ice to Hybrid -O. Watched a lot of reviews regarding the car and none mention the power train issue . Perhaps the one he was testing is a lemon?

@canertogan6462 5 ай бұрын

Same here, no issues at all. It is very smooth. Also the brakes are working well.

@omarrico4943 5 ай бұрын

I’ve owned for 6 months and confirm this issue exists. Biggest fault in an otherwise stellar experience.

@dgdave2673 4 ай бұрын

I own a 45e and absolutely imperceptible transitioning from electric to gas to back, no transmission jerks. Logically it can’t be as both the EV motor and the gas drive the same gear train inline unlike a Volvo where the transmission for gas engine and EV motors are not connected at all mechanically! This guys seem to have got one with some issue…

@pd570 3 ай бұрын

I have had mine for 6 months--super smooth powertrain--do you really think BMW would put out a crappy powertrain???

@pete64041 3 ай бұрын

@@pd570 I have mine as you can see on my page...0 jerky transition. In fact it is so silky smooth you cant even notice it lol...Guy must have thought he was in the 4 cylinder GLE PHEV or something lol

@anthonym9470 6 ай бұрын

My parents have had the 50e for about 2 months now. They love it! Yes the climate controls are stupid integrated in the screen but coming from a Tesla it’s actually not bad. There is no jerkiness in the powertrain I have noticed driving it or being in the car as a passenger. Very weird

@travwill 5 ай бұрын

Nice video but have to chime in also with 1) the transition/hybrid powertrain is awesome, yes it has a gearbox so it shifts but that's nice versus those CVT experiences, etc. 2) the adaptive braking is awesome, love how they did it versus just all the time pure heavy regen - you learn to like it a lot! 3) agree, quality is great, its quiet, and feels nice. 4) the tech is well done overall, never had any issues, AA always works fine, etc. 5). seeing about 45-50 miles of EV range here usually with some pretty heavy freeway/rural driving at times.

@davidbarnes6997 6 ай бұрын

I wonder if I just got lucky because my 50e is seamless and buttery smooth in transition to ICE (the same for the tester I drove that convinced me to order one). If I have the music up at all so I don't actually hear the sound of the ICE, the only way I am aware of the transition is by looking at the screen. I have not had any problems with CarPlay or phone connectivity. The regen and breaking is intuitive once you've driven it a day or two. I test drove quite a few competitors before deciding on the X5 50e and none of them came close to changing my mind. The 516 lb-ft of torque on hand for some "throw you back in your seat" acceleration doesn't hurt either. :)

@user-vn3fj2up9n 6 ай бұрын

The trasition from ICE to electric is silky smooth in the 50e. The torque is amazing as well. Very quiet and very smooth with thte 20 inch 740m wheels and the runflats. Larger wheels give a little road noise.

@osbjmg 2 ай бұрын

Good to know the motor to gas engine integration is actually smooth. Curious you mention larger wheels being quieter. Typically the thinner the sidewall, the louder the wheels in terms of transmitting road noise to the drivetrain and the cabin. Tread makes air noise too so that can be a factor. But I've never considered bigger wheels quieter.

@zachpoirier9157 5 ай бұрын

I think there was something wrong with the powertrain of your test vehicle. I've owned my X5 50e for three months now and the transition on my car is very smooth, sometimes I'm not even sure which mode I'm in. I did have the same problem with the wireless CarPlay and phone connectivity. But there was an over the air update around 4 weeks ago and I haven't had the problem since. Regen braking does take some getting used to, but it's not as aggressive as single pedal drive like in full EVs.

@luccoppens 4 ай бұрын

join the club I hav mine now 3 mouths and its very smooth and sporty when wanted

@isherpa 5 ай бұрын

Interesting complaint about the powertrain and the electric to ICE switch. no other videos on 50e say this is a problem, or have heard this to be a problem at scale.

@robertw.1499 2 ай бұрын

That transition between the combustion and electric modes is flawless. Don't know what you're talking about.

@LenFlecha 5 ай бұрын

50e driver here, it is not jerky at all.

@luccoppens 4 ай бұрын

same here 🙂

@The_action_is_the_juice 4 ай бұрын

You need to revisit another 50e for longer. I love the adaptive regen. Makes for one pedal driving when coming up behind cars. Also, it slows you to the current speed limit if you let off at a higher speed. The transition from electric to ice is so smooth, 98% of the time you cannot even tell the engine started. I have 5500 miles on mine. They better put this drivetrain in the X7 if they are smart.

@dgdave2673 4 ай бұрын

Dude, go get another one and test it again.

@davethewave32 4 ай бұрын

Just test a 24’ M50e and there is absolutely no jerkiness at all. The ride was so seamless I had no idea it was transitioning between hybrid and gas, except hearing the glorious B58 come to life.

@Tmtcy-hy3zo 4 ай бұрын

i've driven my X5 50E for 1500 miles , it is the most silky smooth power train in electric mode. In hybrid mode the adaptive braking is not as predictable as electric only. Electric only truly drives like a BEV, Furthermore when stuck in traffic the X5 50E is a savior because it is so linear and so silky smooth. I have no idea how this reviewer had these problems , perhaps he had a lemon i am unsure . I rave about the electric motors smoothest and silkiest ever.

@jeffanowill 5 ай бұрын

Wow. What a surprise. Accurate with regards the climate controls. But the electric/combustion transition is seamless, as is the use of CarPlay?!? I’ve used my 50e daily since July and just don’t recognise some of the observations

@JeffASpranger 5 ай бұрын

I have heard that some people have initial problems with the CarPlay but that updates normally fix it. I agree that the transition from electric to hybrid is seamless, so he may have gotten a lemon or just wasn't fair about it. Try the Mercedes and you'll truly see problems with the hybrid transition.

@leekindell9937 13 күн бұрын

I must have driven a different car today then. Weird I test drove one today was so impressed how smooth it was transitioning between electric and petrol. No jerking at all like you mention. Most reviews I watch say the same as me. Weird. Maybe it’s your driving or a bad car. And the brakes were fantastic and no issues there. So any of you watching this just go drive one and ignore his comments as they aren’t valid.

@nunohannover 4 ай бұрын

50e owner here….somehow your unit was not running properly…..I haven’t seen any other review/test speaking about it as well

@bashsohal46 4 ай бұрын

Had the same issue on a demo X5, just couldn’t get CarPlay to work!

@natenatarajan1866 25 күн бұрын

The guy is obviously trying to create bad press for x5 50e or just is an idiot at driving! I can't believe how good this car drives given how complex the drive train is. Just the B58 engine alone is ridiculous, now add all this hybrid tech and smarts to balance and integrate the two. Mind blowing!

@6SpeedTA95 Ай бұрын

Is it possible this vehicle had a bad firmware or preproduction load? I’d like an update from you guys on this car. Having owned and driven many BMWs I did not notice any issues on my drive and ride in a 50e. The integration was seamless with the drivetrain. Climate controls suck compared with my i4 and BMW definitely has periodic issues getting phones to reliably connect. Please test again or post a link to updated tests that are written articles.

@caryhauser3253 4 сағат бұрын

Hmm I have had mine for couple weeks and it seems very smooth to me, in fact I have had to really pay attention to tell if and when the engine turns on. Also turn off adaptive braking (regeneration) and the brakes work more normal.

@user-rk8ek7kh5o 5 ай бұрын

None of my clients have felt that way either about the powertrain. Apple Car Play not an issue either. Climate controls need to be briefly explained other than that It's an amazing PHEV in more ways than one

@6SpeedTA95 Ай бұрын

Issue with car play is sporadic and firmware specific in my experience. It’s unfortunately fairly common for BMW to release firmware that then causes issues with car play.

@321ReyLopez 4 ай бұрын

Absolutely agree with the 4 things you stated you like. But don't agree with any of the 4 you didn't like. The breaking system is bad to the bone and really smart too, way better than the so called "one pedal driving", Try it in Sport Mode and do 60-0 MPH. AC works fine, and you will learn how to the interface, and will start realizing how much better than other systems it is. The 50e transitions super smoothly from Electric to ICE, If you want to drive it hard, use Sport Mode. There was connectivity issues with Android and Apple phones. But that was resolved back in July by BMW with a SW update.

@dgdave2673 4 ай бұрын

@shoaibahmed34 6 ай бұрын

Great video and i love the constructive criticism of the plug in hybrid powertrain. I am glad i got the 2023 version. I"m not too fond of the new interior and exterior design. Can' you please change the background music to something else as it is quite distracting and almost sounds like i'm hearing notifications on my phone.

@garyhoncoop8217 5 ай бұрын

You are so wrong about the transition between electric and combustion drive. YOU THE DRIVER IS THE PROBLEM, NOT THE CAR. You were "loaned" a car for maybe a few hrs. That's not enough time for the car to intuitively learn how you drive and adjust accordingly to your doing style. I have had my X5 5Oe now for 4 months and it is silky smooth. Totally amazing!! Also electrical use per mile is very good as well as gasoline fuel consumption is improved.

@marka529 6 ай бұрын

I had the 45e, and now the 50e. These points are spot on, although I've lucked out with relative few phone connectivity problems. Even though the transition to ICE is still pretty seamless, the 45e was silky smooth, if one is making a comparison.

@dudeasp1 5 ай бұрын

Great review Santa!

@patatr4943 2 ай бұрын

when seeing the comments, not really...

@user-ym5rm8jf8c 5 ай бұрын

It's jerky because you are in eco pro, the dash is blue, its absolutely fine when in normal hybrid or sport. Before you make sweeping statements first read the manual.

@luccoppens 4 ай бұрын

it indicates on the dash bleu in hybride from 50% power + the 6 cylinder kicks in for more power ! When in electric the (blue) indicates up to 65% power and the engine will kick in this is normale made for ev city driving ! Swift it in to sport and you get the best of both electric torc and that 6 cylinder all ad one push of button ! It simply is a great car for drivers not a bus on wheels LOL

@babakbozorgnia9174 4 ай бұрын

You are way off. I have not heard any of these from anyone. Drove one and none of these issues existed.

@bashfullJ88 6 ай бұрын

The best SUV on market.

@Rumblingbelly 3 ай бұрын

Really seems like it is. No range anxiety with this model.

@deebo17 6 ай бұрын

great review my guy!

@ganouyang 5 ай бұрын

BMW x5 xdrive50e back seat leg room too tight. Compare Leg Room Front/Rear: BMW x5 xdrive50e:39.4/37.4 vs. GLE 450e 40.3/40.9 vs. Honda Fit: 41.4/39.3

@nostalgicosanonimos7101 5 ай бұрын

How much are you being paid to trash BMW?

@luccoppens 4 ай бұрын

It's a marvelous car (suv) . It is a drivers/sporty car ! Gentil on the trotle . Or go in full sport and enjoy the ride ! Do not put full weight on trotle , it will move ! Jerky learn to drive or continu driving a big bulky bus (Truck) .

@jeffchen8178 5 ай бұрын

it is true, i just received 2024 X5 Xdrive50e, 3 week, the transition between electric & gas engine is not as smooth as my wife's 2023 XC60 plug in. but both are powerful and enjoy to drive. I also own Model Y, I would say the Cell APP , Tesla is the the best ( BMW phone APP is not user friendly )

@JeffASpranger 5 ай бұрын

This guy is either crazy or he drove a lemon. My 2024 50e is extremely smooth in the drive and transition from electric to hybrid. He is right about the climate controls ... but I set and forget them, so not really a big issue to me.