BMW X5 xDrive45e - Cars Collection

The latest addition to BMW's range of plug-in SUVs is the X5 xDrive45e, now with more power, longer range and lower emissions than its predecessor!

The so-called plug-in hybrid segment is exploding right now. BMW has built a large fleet of these models so that no one feels that there is not a model that suits them. If you need a large and spacious family SUV, the X5 is the one to look at. The X5 has been available as a plug-in hybrid in the form of the X5 xDrive40e for a while but with lower performance and higher emissions. With the new 45e, these parameters are improved to be at the forefront of development and give the competition a tough match.

If we start by going through the car itself, as I said, the X5 belongs to the larger family SUVs from BMW. You have plenty of space and technology and the comfort is top class. As well as heated steering wheel, for example, seat heating extends to the armrests in the door and between the front seats. If you like Apple CarPlay, you'll appreciate it even more in the new X5 xDrive45e because you don't need a cable to your mobile phone to access the feature. It's now wireless and you can even charge your mobile phone wirelessly in the compartment in front of the gear selector. While we're on the subject of the gear selector, it's worth mentioning that it's made of crystal, just like the start button. Inside the gear selector, an orange X is illuminated to great effect. The illuminated interior panels can of course be changed in colour. If you have chosen a panoramic glass roof, there are recessed light panels so that the glass roof lights up in the same colour as the interior when it is dark. The Harman Kardon sound system makes you think you're in a cinema rather than a car.

The performance of the new X5 xDrive45e has therefore improved considerably since its predecessor. The engine, which is now a straight petrol six, has 286 horses. The previous version only had a four-cylinder engine with just over 40 horses less. Together with the 112-horsepower electric motor, you get a total system output of 394 horsepower. This figure has been increased by 81 horses compared to the X5 xDrive40e. If we're going to crunch some more numbers before we get into how this actually feels when you're driving, the range has increased significantly since the 40e. Now you can get just under nine miles on pure electric power as opposed to just around three before. The top speed for pure electric power has been increased from 120 to 140 km/h and zero to 100 has been cut by more than a second. The overall top speed is now 235 km/h instead of 201. All these figures are impressive, of course, but it is the one that tells us the total consumption that is most important. Since the X5 xDrive40e, fuel consumption and emissions have gone down quite a bit. WLTP values now apply to the model, 0.12 litres per mile and 28g co2/km which must be seen as very good for a car this big.

So how does the new X5 xDrive45e feel to drive? The simple answer is incredibly good. You have plenty of power available throughout the range and if you want, you can drive solely on electricity. You do this via a number of driving programmes accessed via buttons behind the gear selector. The all-digital instrument cluster in front of the steering wheel gives you all the information you need about consumption, driving programmes and more. You can even have the navigation here. To make it even easier and safer not to take your eyes off the road, the car has a so-called 'head-up' display in the window in front of the driver. Here you can also get the most necessary information such as speed, navigation but also cruise control. The cruise control in the new X5 xDrive45e is of the self-driving type, so it also steers for you so that you always keep the right course on the road. However, only for a short time and if the car thinks you need to refocus, a sound signal and two yellow lights on the steering wheel will flash.

With the X5 xDrive45e, BMW is once again pushing the barriers for this type of plug-in hybrid. Although you want to drive a large comfortable, powerful and technology-packed family SUV, you can do it in an environmentally friendly way thanks to the new X5 xDrive45e.

BMW X5 xDrive45e