Currently reading: Geneva motor show 2010: BMW X5
X5 gets new engines and styling to rival the forthcoming Porsche Cayenne

BMW has given the X5 a mid-life facelift shortly before the model faces increased competition from the new VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, which will be revealed within three weeks.

The exterior changes are low-key; there’s a new front bumper with larger air ducts to cool the engine, altered headlamps and tail-lights, and a deeper rear bumper.

See the official BMW X5 pics

Inside, the X5 receives new trim, the latest iDrive and with a wider range of options, including park assistance systems.

But while the styling changes are subtle, BMW has done much to improve the performance and economy. So the X5 gets the latest engines and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Of most interest to the UK will be the xDrive30d, with 245bhp and 398lb ft. BMW says the fuel consumption has been improved by 3.3mpg at 38.2mpg, and CO2 emissions are 195g/km.

Further up the range, the xDrive35d has been replaced by the xDrive40d, again with more power, torque and improved consumption.

The entry-level sDrive30i has been dropped, in light of the new, more upmarket X3 that will be launched in October.

The entry-level model is now the xDrive35i, while the range-topper gets the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, replacing the naturally aspirated 4.8.

Unusually, this engine is actually less efficient than the one it replaces; C02 emissions are up by 6g/km.

Greg Kable

Twitter - follow autocar.co.ukSee all the latest BMW X5 reviews, news and video

Join the debate

Comments
16
Add a comment…
dennisthemenance 8 February 2010

Re: New BMW X5 revealed

The X5's mid life facelift looks good to me. Somehow BM does a better job in facelifting their models.

The range topping X5M costs 78,000quid & the X5 (5.0i) costs 57,000quid.

Is it justifiable to folk out another 20,000quid for what is basically the car? Engine has been tweaked for more power which can be easily done on a turbocharged engine. Last but not least you get a couple of M badges & a bodykit to go with it.

For SUV, derv is the way to go!

Peter Cavellini 7 February 2010

Re: New BMW X5 revealed

Stock X5 inside with a few changes, exterior tidy up quite good, but as usual a sizable price hike.

michael knight 7 February 2010

Re: New BMW X5 revealed

Giom37 wrote:
To the folks that are 'confused' about the way BMW goes about their business... don't worry yourselfs about it. They are still making cars better than abouts anybody else out there - and they sell them just fine. No confusion warrented!
phew..thanks Giom37! You solved it for me!