U.S.-spec 2024 BMW X5 PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) gets extensive updates [Update]

Update: ‘August 2023 revision’ sub-section added to ‘Interior.’

The fourth-gen BMW X5 introduced in June 2018 has received a facelift for the 2024 model year. A 2024 BMW X5 PHEV with more power and driving range is part of the line-up. Here’s everything we know about the 2024 BMW X5 Plug in Hybrid:

Design

The 2024 BMW X5 PHEV has a reworked exterior with minor changes. At the front, it features new headlights that are 35 mm narrower and new sculpted surfaces around the kidney grille. The vertical air curtains are new slim units that look way better than the oddly shaped units of the outgoing model. The lower air intake is also new, featuring a more upright and horizontal look and triangular apertures in its outer areas. The bumper is also new.

On the sides, the air breathers in the front panels carry a new design, with a dynamically curving element at the front and three horizontal blades at their trailing edge. Moreover, there’s also an “electrified by i” inscription on the new air breathers. At the rear, new combination lamps with side-flipped L shapes create an X motif together. Also new in the redesigned rear combination lamps are animated turn signal indicators. Even the bumper and skid plate are new, with the latter featuring a Glacier Silver color.

Interior

The 2024 BMW X5 PHEV’s interior is perceptibly different with a newly designed cockpit, thanks to the all-new BMW iDrive 8 that includes the BMW Curved Display. The new cockpit design seamlessly merges a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 14.9-inch touch-operated control display behind a curved glass surface.

The iDrive 8 runs on BMW Operating System 8, a massive upgrade over the BMW Operating System 7. BMW OS 8 debuts a new design language with strong and eye-catching graphics, futuristic textures and forms, and a more intuitive UI.

BMW OS 8 extends the capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Users can give naturally formulated voice commands to adjust the climate control system and open/close a window or the panoramic glass sunroof. New graphics appear in the displays to show the system’s interactiveness when in use.

In addition to BMW Curved Display, significantly reduced buttons and new central air vents, extremely slim and almost out of sight, give the dashboard a cleaner look. Plus, new geometric surfaces above the outer air vents give the dashboard an extra touch of sophistication. Additionally, there’s also a new, 15-color ambient light bar with a crystalline surface structure on the passenger side, but it looks gaudy if you were to ask us. The control panel in the floor console houses new touch-sensitive surfaces and a newly designed toggle gear selector.

A new Highway Assistant, available optionally in the Driving Assistance Professional Package, allows hands-free driving on select highways at speeds up to 85 mph. More details about this feature should become available closer to the launch.

August 2023 revision

From August 2023, all the powertrain variants of the new X5, including the new X5 PHEV, will be manufactured with the new BMW iDrive that runs on the BMW Operating System 8.5. Also based on Linux, the new system has a new home screen with all the relevant functions and information shown on it. A new, flat menu structure makes activating functions and settings much simpler and faster.

A new QuickSelect functionality allows the user to directly start interaction with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, access contact lists and vehicle settings, select entertainment programs, or access other menu options, all by touch. The user doesn’t need to navigate through many menus to reach their desired function.

Specifications

The 2024 BMW X5 PHEV comes in a new xDrive50e variant instead of the outgoing model’s xDrive45e variant. Under the hood, an extensively upgraded 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine produces 308 hp and 331 lb.-ft. of torque. A new synchronous electric motor working with this engine, integrated into an 8-speed automatic transmission, develops 194 hp and up to 280 lb.-ft. of torque. With a pre-gearing stage, it’s possible to boost its torque to 331 lb.-ft.

In total, the plug-in hybrid system of the 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e offers 483 hp and 516 lb.-ft. Compared to the 2023 BMW X5 xDrive45e’s powertrain, these are improvements of 94 hp and 73 lb.-ft., respectively. Thanks to the increased power and torque, the 0-60 mph acceleration time of the new model is 0.7 seconds lower – 4.6 seconds. However, the top speed is the same – 130 mph.

The energy storage capacity of the battery pack powering the plug-in hybrid system is nearly 25% higher – 25.7 kWh (net). The official targeted EPA-est. electric range of the 2024 BMW X5 PHEV is 40 miles, which is 29% higher than the outgoing model’s confirmed EPA-est. electric range (31 miles).

As for charging, the peak charging input is double that of the outgoing model – 7.4 kW. That’s the result of a new Combined Charging Unit, which supports single-phase and three-phase charging. However, DC fast charging isn’t available, just like the outgoing model.

Aspect	2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e Specification
Length/Width/Height	194.2 in./78.9 in./69.1 in.
Wheelbase	117.1 in.
Luggage Capacity	31.1 cu. ft./71.2 cu. ft.
Engine	3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder gasoline
Engine Power	308 hp at 5,000-6,500 rpm
Engine Torque	331 lb.-ft. at 1,750-4,700 rpm
Motor	Synchronous motor
Motor Power	194 hp at 7,000 rpm
Motor Torque	280 lb.-ft. at 100-5,500 rpm (nominal)/331 lb.-ft. (peak)
Total Power	483 hp
Total Torque	516 lb.-ft.
Battery Pack	25.7 kWh (net) lithium-ion
Peak Charging Power	7.4 kW
Charging Time	To Be Announced
0-60 mph Acceleration Time	4.6 seconds
Top Speed	130 mph
Targeted EPA-est. Electric Range	40 miles

Price & Release Date

Made in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the 2024 BMW X5 PHEV has started arriving at U.S. dealerships. We’ve seen it in stock at BMW Cleveland in Salon, Ohio, BMW of West Brook in Westbrook, Maine, BMW of Peabody in Peabody, Massachusetts, and several other showrooms, based on the dealer websites.

The improved 2024 BMW X5 PHEV retails at USD 72,500, which makes it USD 6,800 more expensive than the outgoing model (USD 65,700). 10% is a steep price hike, but given that the outgoing model’s price barely went up (just by USD 300) since its launch (USD 65,400) despite all the increases in the costs in the auto industry, it should be acceptable to customers. The destination & handling charge, like for the outgoing model (from June 2020 until now), is USD 995.

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 BMW X5 PHEV, with its sportier design, a visibly more upmarket interior with big upgrades to the cockpit, and a more practical electric range, should make what is already a desirable SUV more tempting! Though it’s more expensive, it’s well over USD 10,000 cheaper than its pure-electric alternative – the BMW iX.

2024 BMW X5 PHEV FAQs

Featured Image Source: BMW Group