2024 BMW X5

Competes with: Audi Q7, Cadillac XT6, Genesis GV80, Lexus RX, Land Rover Range Rover Velar, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Looks like: A refreshed X5 or X6

Powertrains: 375-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with mild hybrid; 523-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 with mild hybrid; 483-hp, turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with electric motor and 29.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack (X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid); eight-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive (X5 sDrive40i) or all-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: Spring 2023

Last redesigned in 2019, the BMW X5 and X6 are getting a heavy refresh for the 2024 model year, but the most significant changes will be found under the hood and in the cabin. BMW is giving both models hybrid technology for their engines as well as a revamped cabin filled with more technology than ever before.

All-Hybrid Lineup
Performance for the 2024 X5 and X6 still comes from a trio of powertrains, but the automaker has made a few revisions to boost performance and fuel economy. The X5 sDrive40i and X6 xDrive40i are powered by a 375-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The X5 M60i xDrive and X6 M60i xDrive have a 523-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8, also with a mild-hybrid system.

Meanwhile, the X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid model gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that’s mated to an electric motor and a 29.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack for a combined output of 483 hp and a 40-mile all-electric driving range. According to BMW, that’s a gain of 100 hp over the previous model, and range goes up by 10 miles. M60i models also get four-wheel steering as standard equipment to enhance cornering behavior and improve low-speed maneuverability.

Light Exterior Tweaks and Illuminated Grilles
BMW chose to keep things simple for the exterior updates, and at first glance, the 2024 models might appear to carry over their styling from the outgoing model. Look closer, though, and you’ll see some of the minor changes that BMW has made. The lower front bumper benefits from new air intakes that are more rectangular in appearance. The trademark twin-kidney grilles are mostly unchanged, but the X5 joins the X6 in offering buyers the option of an illuminated grille. This optional piece of equipment has been spreading to other members of the BMW family in recent years, and their debut on the X5 is the latest example of this in action. The headlights are sleeker than before and adopt a slimmer design versus the 2023 model’s chunkier units. Additionally, the rear gets updated LED taillights with a new “X” motif and a redesigned rear bumper.

The X6 also gets the M Sport Package standard (it’s still an option on the X5), which includes darkened trim accents and a unique design on the front bumper and trapezoidal tailpipe trim. The X6 also ditches the X5’s utilitarian look for a more muscular canvas, with plenty of sweeps and curves that help solidify itself as a performance-focused offering.

An optional M Sport Professional Package is available for M Sport-equipped X5 and X6 models. The package adds a matte-black grille surround for the twin-kidney grilles, black chrome exhaust tailpipe trim and shadowline accents for the lights. It also adds M Sport brakes and an M Sport exhaust system; the latter item is standard on M60i models but unavailable on the X5 xDrive50e.

Minor Interior Updates
The interior of the 2024 X5 and X6 mostly mirrors the outgoing models. Both models get a new imitation-leather seating material, and the dashboard has been redesigned to accommodate a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with the two screens housed in a single, curved pane of glass. BMW claims that the Curved Display cuts down on the number of physical buttons.

BMW designers also integrated the slimmer front air vents into the dashboard, making them nearly out of sight for occupants. New LED ambient lighting allows occupants to choose from 15 different colors, and a redesigned gear selector featuring a toggle control is also included.

Updated Technology
The 2024 X5 and X6 are the latest models from the automaker to receive the iDrive 8 system; the updated software reduces load times between various menus, says BMW. The operating system is also bundled with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In addition, the updated iDrive software also allowed BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant to gain new skills; it can now accept voice commands to do things like adjust the temperature, open or close the panoramic moonroof and even control various driver-assistance features. When the system is in use, a graphic appears in the displays and “turns” toward the speaker. BMW claims that this is an indicator of the system listening attentively for a command.