2020 BMW X5 M SUV

This time, the new SAV takes the fight to its arch-rivals the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63, Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR and give them a reason to be afraid on all the fronts. 

The 2020 X5 M is priced at a staggering $105,100 for the standard model and $114,100 for the competition variant. The car gives a very stiff competition to its rivals an all grounds, be it performance or pricing. And believe us when we say that the nerds at the M division really do know what they are doing. They have brought the magic back again. 

The third-gen X5 M has been launched with two different trim levels namely X5 M and the X5 M Competition. Both the trims come packed with Driving Assistance Professional Package as a standard feature. This package includes some really fine driving assistance aides like Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for limited access highways. 

Also, an Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Active Lane, Keeping Assistant with Side Collision Avoidance, Steering & Traffic Jam Assistant, Automatic Lane Change, Evasion Assistant & Front Cross-Traffic Alert and lets the SAV truly justify it’s 6 figure price. 

Trims	BMW X5 M	BMW X5 M Competition
MSRP	$105,100	$114,100
Key Features	Power tailgate	Front 21-inch and rear 22-inch M Star-spoke bi-colour wheels.
	Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7 and Apple CarPlay Compatibility	M Sport exhaust system
	Panoramic sunroof	M seat belts
	Anthracite Alcantara headliner	Extended Shadowline exterior trim
	Ambient interior lighting	Full Merino Leather Interior
	Trailer hitch pre-wiring

Though if you are a person who wants a bit more luxury from your SAV, you can also opt for an optional extra package, the Executive Package. Along with the features from the Standard or the Competition trim, you will also get Remote Engine Start, soft-close automatic doors, rear manual side-window shades, heated and cooled cupholders, front ventilated seats, front and rear heated seats, front massaging seats and Icon Adaptive LED headlights with laser light.

What do we recommend?

Though the Competition variant has a more flamboyant nature and the M Sport exhaust does make it a little more attention grabber on the streets, the Standard variant is much more reasonably priced and does earn a better image for a daily driver. You still get all the creature comforts and a car which gives it’s rival a run for their money.

As we enter a new decade, the interest of the petrolheads like us is also getting a bit more drawn towards the competition SUV segment. And the prayers of ours have been heard already and we have been blessed with the new 2020 X5 M.

If compared to its predecessor, the new SAV comes equipped with an already proven S63 powerplant that stretches its legs 1090 RPM wider then the outgoing second-generation X5 M. The third generation of the X5 M has gained 33 more horses from its 4.4L TwinPower turbo V8 engine.

To handle the massive 553 lb-ft torque, the X5 M comes as standard with an M Steptronic transmission, 8 Speed automatic transmission. Similar to the M5 sedan, the x-Drive system is a bit biased towards the rear but holds the power reserve well and sends the power to each wheel as and when needed. Also, you can voluntarily select if you want an equal distribution of power at all the four ends for a grippier drive or you can make the system rear-biased for a more agile drive and crisp handling. 

Models	BMW X5 M	Porsche Cayenne Turbo AWD	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR AWD	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63
MSRP	$105,100	$126,500	$114,500	$103,050
Engine	4.4L Twin-Turbocharged V8	4.0L Premium Unleaded V8	5.0L Premium Unleaded V8	5.5L Biturbo V8
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD	AWD	AWD
Transmission	8-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic	7-speed shiftable automatic
Power (hp @ rpm)	[email protected],000	[email protected],750	[email protected],000	[email protected],250
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)	[email protected],800	[email protected],960	[email protected],500	[email protected],750

When compared to its rivals, the X5 M comes out to be the most powerful with the highest power i.e. 600 HP @ 6000 revs and thus generating the highest torque i.e. 553 lb-ft @ 1800 revs. The way M Steptronic transmission allows you to select the shift speed and sharpness of the Gear Shifts for better controls at high speeds. 

How fast is the BMW X5 M

On the papers, the 2020 X5 M holds quite impressive numbers. Though when you are behind the wheel, on the inside you will not feel the speeds. The SAV grabs tears the roads when you poke the Gas. Stand still to 62 MPH is achieved in a mind-boggling 3.8 seconds for the Standard variant and is further dropped to 3.7 seconds in the Competition variant. This makes the X5 M faster than all its rivals. 

We must not ignore the fact that these numbers are not for a thoroughbred sports car but a full-size family bus. When the throttle is pinned down, the X5 M will relentlessly keep pushing to 155 MPH and the top end is further increased to 177 MPH if the optional M-Driver package has opted. 

Models	BMW X5 M	Porsche Cayenne Turbo AWD	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR AWD	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63
0-60 MPH (sec)	3.8	3.9	6.3	4.2
Quarter Mile (sec)	12.2	11.8	N/A	N/A
Top Speed (MPH)	155	183	176	155
Engine	4.4L Twin-Turbocharged V8	4.0L Premium Unleaded V8	5.0L Premium Unleaded V8	5.5L Biturbo V8
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

The suspensions of the 2020 X5 M have also been beefed up to give the car a more rigid drive and better agility over the corners. The suspension mounts are also strengthened to give the car proper ability to tackle the corners at high speeds. The X5 M is based on the M5 sedan.

But the ‘Drift’ mode of the sedan is traded off with a 4WD Sport mode which continuously monitors the complete 4X4 system on the X5 and keeps the power a little more biased to the rear wheels, but still, the power is shifted to all the 4 wheels as and when needed for a razor-sharp performance and handling.

Ride and Handling

To give the monster underneath the hood, enough air to breathe, the X5 M has a TwinPower Turbocharged system that helps the car jolt out 600 HP @ 6000 revs and a spine squishing 553 lb-ft of torque @ 1800 revs. But remember, this is not a thoroughbred low slung sports car that we are talking about. To handle all the mass and dynamics of an SUV, the X5 comes with a variable all-wheel-drive system.

The system allows the driver to select the power bias as per his/her desire or can just engage the 4WD Sport mode and just let the car do all the thinking on your behalf. That said, the X5 M is not only fast in a straight line shootout but can also tackle the corners with the supreme agility of a sports car. To transfer the 600 HP to the road, the SAV is fitted with 21 inches special M wheels in the front and if you want bigger rubbers on the shoes, we do have optional 22 inches wheels as well.

The Competition variant, however, comes with 21 inches wheels in the front and 22 inches in the rear as standard. The car also comes with Adaptive M Suspension along with Anti Roll Stabilization as standard. Just like almost all the M-Cars, this one is also completely configurable. You have an option to select configure the car in three different drive modes Comfort, Sports & Sports Plus. Depending on your driving style, you can either select from the three modes and then you can also configure them individually. 

Braking 

The X5 M comes with the brake-by-wire system as standard. This system is usually used in hybrid and electric vehicles as they have regenerative braking systems. As a part of the SAV’s configurable scheme, the brakes can also be configured into two different modes as standard: Comfort and Sport. 

Model	BMW X5 M	Porsche Cayenne Turbo AWD	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR AWD	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63
Brake Rotors Front (in)	15.5	14.2	14.3	13
Brake Rotors Rear (in)	15	14.2	13.8	13.8
Curb Weight (lbs)	5425	5056	5093	5203
70-0 MPH (ft)	N/A	159	N/A	N/A

The Brake-by-Wire system monitors your brake inputs at different points of time and then calculates the demand of force needed at that very moment and then operates the ABS system as required for the optimal braking systems. The front wheels are equipped with 15.5 Inches discs with 6 piston callipers and the rears are equipped with 15 inches with single-piston callipers.

The SAV ticks all the right boxes when we talk about a high-performance SUV but it does trade off fuel economy. The 4.4L behemoth under the hood is meant to perform in all conditions.

The BMW X5 M is a full-size family bus that after dropping the kids to the school, you can easily bash it on the tracks and the powerplant was never purposely built for a high fuel economy. Still, the car does manage to do approximately 15 MPG (Combined City & Highway) which is not bad for a vehicle of these aesthetics. 

Model	BMW X5 M	Porsche Cayenne Turbo AWD	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR AWD	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63
MPG (City)	16	15	15	17
MPG (Highway)	22	19	20	22
MPG (Combined)	18	17	16	19
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)	21.9	23.7	27.6	24.6
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) (mi)	350/482/394	356/450/402	414/552/441	418/541/467

When compared to its rivals, the Mercedes Benz GLE AMG 63 is the most economical of the lot but the X5 M packs the highest power in the segment and has the best performance overall.

So this can be counted as a totally valid trade-off as you might get approximately 4 MPG’s lesser on the road but have loads of horsepower more to reach the fuel stops first as well.

The moment you enter the X5 M, you are welcomed by an array of gadgets. Though the car has all the features dawned by the standard X5 (which in itself is a very nice place to be) there are many sporty touches as a courtesy of the M-badges. The leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel has 2 M-mode buttons, 1 on each side that allows you to select the accurate precision that you want from the car.

It also has a heated armrest and a lot more usage of sporty materials as compared to the Standard X5. The Competition variant takes it to the next level with more of luxury like the interior is completely done in Merino leather along with Carbon Fibre touches that enhance the look even more and give a plush feeling. 

Model	BMW X5 M	Porsche Cayenne Turbo AWD	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR AWD	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.7/60.0/39.8	39.6/58.9/N/A	39.5/60.7/42.2	38.9/58.5 /40.3
Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.4/58.1/37.4	N/A	39.1/59.5/37.0	38.5/58.4/38.4

The X5 M also gets features like ambient lighting, heated front armrests and an array of sporty materials. When compared to its rivals, the X5 M can be concluded as really comfortable for passengers in both the rows and only a few inches of legroom is deprived due to the division of compartments but still, we cannot call it as being uncomfortable or cramped in any manner.

These features do give the SAV more points on being practical and comfortable to use as a daily driver. 

Infotainment System 

The complete X5 M line-up comes standard with a 12.3 Inches head-up display with a touchscreen. The i-Drive system is especially very user friendly and it can be controlled by voice commands, hand gestures and in case you like the old school dial, you get that in the centre as well. 

The car as standard comes with a Herman/Kardon surround sound system and Apple car play. However, you can opt for a Bowers & Wilkins system along with rear-seat entertainment but the Android Auto is absent in all. 

Key Infotainment Features

• Head-Up display
• Harman Kardon Surround sound audio
• SiriusXM Satellite radio
• Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7 and Apple CarPlay Compatibility

Practicality Point of View

The X5 M is a performance vehicle based on BMW X5, which is sold globally and is very much loved as a big family car as well. The SAV also gets the same aesthetics as its base car.

So the passenger comfort and cargo spaces for long family vacations come in its genes. Moreover, thanks to its rear seat 40:20:40 split ratio, you can also increase the cargo space to a staggering 72.3 cu-ft. 

Model	BMW X5 M	Porsche Cayenne Turbo AWD	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR AWD	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63
Behind Rear Row (Cu-ft)	33.9	26.3	27.5	38.2
Rear Seat folded (Cu-ft)	72.3	60.3	N/A	80.3

The 2020 X5 M not only proves its practicality just by giving you a big cargo space but you also get different perks that prove to be quite useful for us lot. Features like Trailer Hitch Pre-Wiring system allows you to use your X5 M as a good long hauler if you want to go camping with the kids or take a trailer along on your next track day. 

Also, you get other creature comforts like handsfree access to the power tailgate, that allows the loading and unloading of the cargo bay a lot easier. The BMW nerds with the new 2020 X5 M, have proven yet once again that they do know about the perfect balance between practicality and performance.

Though the X5 M is completely based on the Standard X5 platform, there are a lot of styling changes done to the SAV to distinguish it from the standard car. The M model gets a lot meaner look and gives you the feeling that it does get serious about its performance. With the swollen wheel arches to quad exhaust at the rear, X5 M can easily be distinguished from its standard sibling. 

The M badge comes with a lot of M stuff added to the car like the bigger intakes for more air for the beast inside the hood, the highly distinguishable M double-bar black kidney grill, M-Gills on the front fenders, M Mirrors with an extended fin. 

Model	BMW X5 M	Porsche Cayenne Turbo AWD	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR AWD	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63
Curb Weight (lbs)	5425	5056	5093	5203
Length (in)	195	194	192.2	191
Width (in)	87.3	78.1	N/A	84.3
Height (in)	68.9	65.9	71	69.4
Ground Clearance (in)	8.3	7.4	N/A	N/A
Wheelbase (in)	117	114	115.1	114.8

Also an M Exhaust system with a quad exhaust outlet, swollen wheel arches goes in coordination with the powerplant that it packs under the hood. Also, unlike the standard X5, the M variants get 21-inch wheels whereas the Competition Variant gets 21’s in the front and 22’s in the rear as standard. 

Key Exterior Features

• Adaptive Full LED lights
• Trailer hitch pre-wiring
• Front 21-inch and rear 22-inch M Star-spoke bi-colour wheels
• M Sport exhaust system

The Germans do perform well on vehicle safety measures. Though the 2020 X5 M has not been crash-tested yet by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), they did test the standard X5 and it has received a staggering 4 out of 5 ratings.

The X5 aced side crash test and loses a mark in the frontal crash and rollover evaluations. Also, 2019 BMW X5 has been the Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS. With the X5 M model’s Driver Assistance features, it does give you a lot more confidence in the SAV. The car gets a vast array of features as standard like Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Collision Warning, Frontal Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with City Collision Mitigation, Cross-Traffic Alert Rear, and Speed Limit Information and you can also opt for the Adaptive Cruise control as an optional extra.

The M-Division has successfully made an already safer vehicle a tad safer with the performance of a sports car on steroids. 

Key Safety Features

• Active Blind Spot Detection
• Active Protection
• Active Driving Assistant
• Parking Assistant Plus with Back-Up Assistant, Active Park Distance Control, Surround View Camera

When we talk about its arch-rivals, the toughest competition that BMW M-Nerds face is from the fellow Germans itself. 

 BMW X5 M Vs Porsche Cayenne Turbo 

The Porsche might have the smallest engine of the lot but the Porsche’s are serious driving machines none the less. Though on papers, the Beemer has the highest Horse Power, due to its lightweight, shorter wheel-base and 8-Speed automatic transmission, the power delivery in the Porsche are quite impressive and it does hold the line while doing standstill to 62 MPH just a fraction of second slower than the X5 M.

But again, when we compare the price brackets of the duo, the Porsche is much more expensive and the BMW surely seems a lot more practical choice as you get a faster car anyhow. 

BMW X5 M Vs Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG

Talking about the rivalry, the M-Division also gets one more strong contender in the list, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG. Unlike the Porsche, the AMG does come at a cheaper price than the X5 M but it does trade off the power with Luxury as well. The AMG also daunts better mileage figures. But actually the choice between the two is fairly simple.

If you want a vehicle that can give you tingles while driving back after dropping your kids at school, the car for you is X5 M. If you want to do the same task in a bit more luxury and style, rather than performance, you can surely go for the AMG. 

The new BMW X5 M is scheduled to be launched in April 2020 and all points kept in mind is the perfect combination of Luxury, Practicality and Performance. The Beemer does not let you down on any of the prospects. It is one really good family hauler and at the same time, gives you the performance that you would expect from an M-Division prodigy.

The car does stand out from its Standard sibling in terms of performance and looks. Just a blend of sportiness along with the luxury and does justify its title for being the Sports Activity Vehicle and you get a good value for your money.