The BMW X5 is a mid-size, rear-wheel drive luxury SUV produced by BMW. The X5 made its debut in 1999. It was BMW's first SUV and it also featured all-wheel drive and was available with either manual or automatic transmission. In 2006, the second generation X5 was launched, known internally as the E70. Introduced in the facelift version of the E53, the E70 also featured the torque-split capable xDrive all-wheel drive system mated to an automatic transmission. In 2009, the X5 M performance variant was released as a 2010 model. BMW branded the X5 as a Sport Activity Vehicle rather than an SUV, to emphasize its on-road ability despite its size. Like the Lexus RX 300, the X5 heralded the shift from light truck-based body-on-frame SUVs to crossovers underpinned by unibody car platforms that would come to fruition in the late 2000s. Among German luxury automakers, while the Mercedes-Benz M-Class had beaten the X5 to the market by a year, the X5 was the first to use a unibody chassis whereas the M-Class used a light truck platform until its second generation. While the Lexus RX is based on the Toyota Camrymass market sedan, the X5 shares its underpinnings with the BMW 5 Series performance luxury sedan. X5s are manufactured in Greer, South Carolina at the Spartanburg BMW plant and modified for armoured, security versions in Mexico at the BMW de MéxicoToluca plant. Since July 2009, some assembly operations are also performed in Kaliningrad, Russia by Avtotor. Starting with the X5, BMW's "SAV" series has since expanded with derivatives of other BMW number-series models, first in 2003 with the BMW X3 compact luxury crossover, and then in 2008 with the BMW X6 midsize coupe luxury crossover which shares its platform with the X5.
The BMW E53 X5 crossover was manufactured between 1999 and 2006. It was developed while BMW owned Land Rover and benefitted from company technology. It shared the Range Rover HSE's Hill Descent System and Off RoadEngine Management system, and the engine and electronic system of the BMW E39 5 series. As a result, the earlier X5 models can be upgraded with newer BMW technologies. A range of petrol inline-6s, V8s and diesel engines was offered. A facelifted version was released for the 2004 model year, with production starting in late 2003.
Second generation (E70; 2006–2013)
The BMW E70 is the second generation X5 crossover. It replaced the BMW X5 in November 2006. The second generation X5 features many new technological advancements including BMW's iDrive system as standard equipment and, for the first time in a BMW, an optional third row seat raising passenger capacity to seven. The branding for the X5 from late 2008 onwards follows the new BMW nomenclature scheme, for example the X5 3.0si is now called the X5 xDrive30i, and the X5 4.8i is called the X5 xDrive48i. In 2010 BMW added the new CIC hard drive iDrive system, replacing the DVD based CCC system. In 2009, the xDrive35d diesel engine variant of the X5 was made available for sale in Canada and the United States, along with the BMW 335d sedan. The BMW X5 M high performance variant was introduced to the press at the New York Auto Show in April 2009, and started appearing in BMW dealerships in September 2009 as a 2010 model. Sharing the same powertrain as the BMW X6 M, the X5 M features the first M Power V-8 Turbo, and of torque, and comes with M Dynamic Performance Control for impressive handling. The E70 X5 received a facelift for the 2011 model year known as the LCI update. For the 2011 model year, the BMW X5 was BMW's 3rd best-selling model after the first place BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series, respectively.
The BMW F15 is the third generation X5 crossover, unveiled on 30 May 2013 and launched in November 2013. It featured the same chassis and same wheelbase of previous generation and launched with a choice of three engines: a 450 hp V8 petrol engine and two six-cylinder in-line diesel units, producing 258 hp with one turbo and 381 hp with three turbos, respectively. In December 2013, additional engine options became available: xDrive40d, xDrive35i and, for the first time on the X5 model, two four-cylinder engines xDrive25d and sDrive25d. In their later years, BMW added a PHEV a xDrive40e with single turbo inline 4 cylinders. Also in the xDrive40e an electric 83kW motor peak, 55kW continuous use with 9kWh 351V Lithium-ion battery pack. As with the previous model, it was assembled at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, United States.
Fourth generation (G05; 2019–present)
The new 2019 G05 X5 is the fourth and current generation X5 model and was unveiled online on June 6, with a planned November 2018 launch date. It is based on the new Cluster Architecture platform shared with other BMW models. All 2019 X5 models are xDrive all-wheel drive only, while an sDrive X5 was added to the US lineup as a 2020 model. The 2020 X5 sDrive is only available with the inline-6 petrol B58 powerplant, and is marketed as the X5 sDrive40i. Another model year 2020 addition is the plug-in hybrid model xDrive45e. It has the B58 engine and an 82 kW electric motor, with a combined power of 290 kW, and a larger 24 kWh battery pack. Initial engine offerings for the G05 X5 included:
