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BMWX5 Plug-in Hybrid (2020-)

Available new
Medium/Large SUV
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

£77,321Typical price

Test score

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BMW’s plug-in hybrid technology has reached its X5 luxury SUV. It promises excellent fuel economy and a credible EV driving range, but does it deliver? And can it match the appeal of the regular combustion X5 when it comes to driving dynamics and everyday ease of use? Read our full BMW X5 (2020-) Plug-in Hybrid review to find out.

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What's included?

What is it?
What’s it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable are BMW plug-in hybrid cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Nov 2023Last checked by Which?
May 2020First reviewed by Which?
Nov 2019Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of three stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Which? safety

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium/Large SUV
Luxury	Yes
Convertible	No
Availability	Available new
New price	£77,321 - £81,240
Fuel type	Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Tested fuel efficiency	52.8 to 68.9mpg
Length	4,922mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	2,004mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,225mm
Height	1,745mm
Driver max height
Second row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	12.65 m
On sale date	05 November 2019
Lowest pence per mile cost	£24.75

Latest tested engine
Engine name	xDrive45e M Sport Steptronic Sport
Fuel type	Plug-in-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	3-litre (394hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Four-wheel-drive (4WD)
Fuel tank capacity	69 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel efficiency (mi/kWh)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	24.75p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£104
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	97
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	224
Tested electric-only range (miles)	71 miles
Official fuel economy: WLTP	201.8 to 235.4
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d
Braked tow load (KG)	2700kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	11 July 2022
Test programme	2017

Engine two
Engine name	xDrive45e xLine Steptronic
Fuel	Plug-in-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	3-litre (394hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Four-wheel-drive (4WD)
Fuel tank capacity	69 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Tested fuel efficiency (mi/kWh)
Cost per mile	29.26p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£104
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	127
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	264
Tested electric range (miles)
Official fuel economy: WLTP	188.3 to 235.4
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d-Temp
Braked tow load (KG)	2700kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	01 April 2020
Car test programme	2017

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BMWX5 Plug-in Hybrid (2020-)

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