Skip advert
Advertisement

2023 BMW X5 facelift: pricing, specs and all the changes

BMW has updated the X5 SUV for 2023, with a new look plus more hybrid and interior technology

  • New exterior and interior lighting
  • iDrive OS8 infotainment system
  • On sale now from £66,230

The BMW X5 has been facelifted for 2023. No doubt announced partly in response to the arrival of the new Range Rover Sport, the updated SUV gets BMW’s latest technology and  increased electrification across the engine lineup, with the plug-in hybrid model now boasting 68 miles of electric range. There’s also a new look inside and out, featuring a plethora of ambient lighting.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The facelifted BMW X5 is on sale now, with prices starting from £66,230. Aside from the high-performance M-badged models, buyers have a choice of two trim levels: xLine and M Sport. Despite being priced lower than the rival Mercedes GLE – which has also recently received a facelift – standard equipment is strong, with all cars getting heated seats, wireless phone charging and a whole host of other creature comforts.

2023 BMW X5 design

The changes to the exterior of the facelifted X5 are subtle, but will no doubt catch the eyes of BMW enthusiasts and existing X5 owners alike. The new car sports a set of slimmer LED headlights which ditch the German brand’s iconic ‘angel eye’ insignia of old in favour of a sharper, chevron-like design. The illumination at the rear has also seen some changes, with a completely different look to the outgoing car.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

BMW nerds will also notice the facelifted X5’s reworked kidney grille and tweaked front bumper – the former can be illuminated for an additional cost. Opt for higher-spec M Sport trim and BMW’s large premium SUV also gets gloss black exterior detailing and a new design for the rear bumper, too.

Interior

More drastic changes can be found on the inside as the new BMW X5 gets the Munch-based marque’s latest iDrive OS8 infotainment setup. Dubbed the ‘Curved Panel’ by BMW itself, this comprises a 12.3-inch touchscreen alongside a 14.9-inch digital instrument cluster. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

To accommodate this addition, the layout of the dashboard has been redesigned, with the stereo and defroster controls now relocated below the touchscreen. Unfortunately, this also means the climate controls find themselves placed at the bottom of the touchscreen itself, making them harder to operate when on the move than the physical dials of the old X5.

Elsewhere, the new X5 boasts new quilted ‘Sensafin’ faux-leather upholstery as standard, while buyers have the option for full Merino leather as well as a variety of wood, metal and carbon fibre accent trim. Speaking of trim, the passenger side of the dashboard is decorated by a sweeping, illuminated trim piece marked with the X5 script – or the ‘M’ insignia for high-performance models. The theme of interior ambient lighting continues with the optional ‘Sky Lounge’ panoramic sunroof, which is lined with LED light strips to further add to the ambience of the cabin.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Unlike one of its main rivals, the Audi Q7, the BMW X5 only comes as a five-seater as standard. An extra pair of seats in the rear can be added on certain models to turn the X5 into a seven-seater.

Engines and fuel economy

As before, all versions of the BMW X5 come as standard with adaptive suspension and xDrive four-wheel-drive. While the arrival of the facelifted model hasn’t prompted the arrival of an all-electric iX5 – the iX already fills that role in BMW’s lineup – it has expanded mild hybrid technology to the entire petrol and diesel engine range.

Now equipped with 48-volt electrical assistance, the entry-level xDrive30d and its 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine output 294bhp and are claimed to return almost 40mpg on the combined WLTP test cycle. A more powerful xDrive40d model is coming later down the line.

Company car drivers will likely be most interested in the updated BMW X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid. With a 25% larger battery than before (now 25.7kWh in capacity), the plug-in X5 offers a pure-electric range of up to 68 miles – 10 miles greater than before. Power has also seen a not-insignificant power bump by 94bhp to 483bhp.

The range-topping X5 M60i also gets 48-volt mild hybrid power, but this is instead attached to a mighty 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine, producing 523bhp. While its position at the pinnacle of the X5 lineup will eventually be taken by a facelifted X5 M Competition model, the M50i still has plenty of performance credentials and gets from 0-62mph in just 4.3 seconds.

Looking to cut down your family car running costs? Check out our list of the top 10 best hybrid SUVs

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Vauxhall Frontera review – hybrid or electric, it’s up to you
Vauxhall Frontera front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
5 Dec 2024

Vauxhall Frontera review – hybrid or electric, it’s up to you

New Cupra Terramar family SUV starts from £37,605
Cupra Terramar
News
28 Nov 2024

New Cupra Terramar family SUV starts from £37,605

Volkswagen ID.4 review – a good-to-drive, but imperfect electric SUV
Volkswagen ID.4 front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
28 Nov 2024

Volkswagen ID.4 review – a good-to-drive, but imperfect electric SUV

Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV
Vauxhall Grandland UK front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
27 Nov 2024

Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV

Most Popular

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door
BMW M235 Gran Coupe front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door

New Ford Puma Gen-E: Britain’s best-selling car goes electric
Ford Puma Gen-E
News
3 Dec 2024

New Ford Puma Gen-E: Britain’s best-selling car goes electric

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
29 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024