Both have reached the middle of their commercial life and we all know what usually happens at that moment: a facelift to keep up. BMW has given the BMW X5 and BMW X6 a ‘restyling’ that goes beyond the surface. The aesthetic modifications are subtle, but the big change is hidden under the touch-ups applied to the exterior and interior: the new BMW X5 and BMW X6 are more powerful and more autonomous… electrically speaking.
Let’s go from less to more: we start with the changes in the exterior design and in the passenger compartment. BMW expands personalization options with new body colors and new packages: the M Sport Pro makes its debut, while the M Sport is optionally available for the X5 and standard on the BMW X6.
Exterior and interior touch-ups
The new ones BMW X5 and X6 premiere redesigned headlamps: the daytime running lights are arrow-shaped and the conventional ones are thinner. The front bumper has been renewed with some new vertical air intakes and in the case of the BMW X5 the LED backlighting for the grille is available (slightly retouched), which the BMX X6 incorporated a couple of years ago. In the rear, the novelties are reduced to an ‘X’-shaped motif and the new light signature.
Inside the changes are also quite discreet. Both the BMW X5 and the BMW X6 have a new curved screen on your dashboard, which is divided into two: a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen with the iDrive8 system.
The center console has also been redesigned: although the traditional switch disappears to be replaced by a small control, the iDrive rotary button remains. There’s also a handful of tactile buttons below the more refined air vents, a curved wood trim and a version of the ambient light bar that we have already seen in the passenger area of the new BMW 7 Series and X7.
The engines of the new BMW X5 and X6
The mechanical range of the new BMW X5 and X6 is full of novelties. Bavarian SUVs are available with three engines that incorporate 48 V Mild Hybrid technology through an electric motor integrated in the transmission: it generates a power increase of up to 12 CV and 200 Nm of torque. All of them are also associated with the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
- BMW X5 xDrive30d and BMW X6 xDrive30d: equipped with a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine of the latest generation of propellants, which delivers a maximum power of 298 hp and a torque of 670 Nm.
- BMW X5 xDrive40i and BMW X6 xDrive40i: They have the latest generation of the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder gasoline engine, which develops a power of 380 hp (47 HP more than previous models) and a maximum torque of 520 Nm (70 Nm more); this torque can increase up to 540 Nm with the Mild Hybrid system.
- BMW X5 M60i xDrive and BMW X6 M60i xDrive: the top of the range comes with the 4.4-liter V8, which gives this pair of SUVs a force of 530 hp and a maximum torque of 750 Nm.
BMW X5 xDrive50e: the plug-in hybrid
BMW has wanted to incorporate into its range an option capable of displaying the Zero label on its windshield: the BMW X5 xDrive50e, the plug-in hybrid variant that, for the moment, it is not available for the X6.
The BMW X5 PHEV is equipped with a latest generation inline six-cylinder gasoline engine and a new electric one. Together they have a combined power of 490 hp, a figure that represents an increase of 96 hp over the outgoing model. The torque also increases by 100 Nm to be 700 Nm.
The amount of energy that the battery integrated in the underbody can store has increased by almost 25% compared to the previous generation: it has a capacity of 25.7 kWh, which, according to the WLTP Cycle, promises a range of 94-110 kilometers. In addition, a new combined charging unit doubles the top speed in alternating current to 7.4 kW.
In April 2023
In the tuning of the new BMW X5 and X6 it’s standardadaptive undercarriage, which modifies the stabilizer bars based on weight distribution and reinforces them accordingly. Also noteworthy is the expansion of automated driving and parking systems: There are enhanced features for the standard Forward Collision Warning system (which can now also reduce the risk of collision with cyclists, pedestrians or oncoming traffic when exiting a road), Reversing Assist Camera, Parking Assist reverse gear, Parking Assistant (which also includes launch control functions) and Trailer Assist.
The two models will be manufactured at the BMW plant in Spartanburg (United States) and its global rollout will begin in April 2023. At the moment, the Bavarian brand has not revealed the prices for Spain… although an increase is expected.