BMW Boosts Power in Refreshed X5, X6

BMW updates the X5 and X6 with a series of midcycle upgrades as it prepares for the start of North American sales in April. The two facelifted models are unveiled just a week after Mercedes-Benz revealed details of reworked versions of their key rivals, the GLE and GLE Coupe.

Among the changes brought to the fourth-generation X5 and third-generation X6 are a light reworking of the exterior, an upgraded interior featuring a new digital display and modified drivetrains in a number of renamed models, including a 309-hp gasoline-electric unit in the new X5 xDrive50e offering a claimed electric range of up to 68 miles (109 km) on the WLTP test cycle. 

BMW X5 headlamps (1)

The 2023-model-year X5 adopts the earlier xLine design elements as standard, while the X6 is now fitted with the M Sport package as standard.

Inside, the refreshed X5 and X6 adopt similar changes to the facelifted X7, alongside which they are produced at BMW’s Spartanburg factory in South Carolina.

Heading the interior changes is a new curved digital panel mounted atop a lightly reworked dashboard. Running the latest 8.0 version of BMW’s iDrive operating system, it houses a 12.3-in. (31-cm) instrument display and 14.9-in. (38-cm) infotainment touch display as part of a standard BMW Live Cockpit Plus system, which includes cloud-based BMW Maps navigation.

The HVAC controls in the center console receive additional touch controls. There’s also an illuminated trim panel with model identification (X5, X6 and M) ahead of the front seat passenger as well as new faux-leather Sensafin upholstery.

Comfort seats can now be specified as an alternative to standard sport seats. Options include a head-up display unit with augmented reality functionality and streaming services as part of a BMW Live Cockpit Professional package, a panoramic glass sunroof with LED illumination, glass applications for various controls as well as a Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

BMW says it has improved smartphone integration, with 5G connectivity for the embedded eSim available for the first time on the X5 and X6.

BMW X5 cockpit (1)_0

Power for the X5 and X6 comes from a revised range of gasoline, diesel and gasoline-electric plug-in drivetrains – all claimed to offer improved efficiency and economy in combination with a standard 8-speed automatic gearbox and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system as standard.

The standard 6-cyl. and V-8 gasoline engines all receive 48V mild-hybrid properties, with an additional 12 hp and 147 lb.-ft. (199 Nm) of torque provided by a gearbox-mounted electric generator/starter motor.

With changes to its combustion process, valve control and ignition system, the turbocharged 3.0L I-6 in the facelifted X5 xDrive50i and X6 xDrive40i delivers an added 46 hp and 52 lb.-ft. (71 Nm) of torque over their predecessors at 375 hp and 383 lb.-ft. (519 Nm) for a claimed 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 5.4 seconds.

BMW X6 front 1.4

The X5 M50 xDrive and X6 M50 xDrive have been replaced in the facelifted lineup by new X5 M60 xDrive and X6 M60 xDrive models. They run the same turbocharged 4.4L gasoline V-8 as previously. With 523 hp and 553 lb.-ft. (750 Nm) of torque, it provides the two M Performance models with a claimed 0-62 mph time of 4.3 seconds.

The gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain in the earlier X5 xDrive45e has been upgraded with a newer-generation turbocharged 3.0L gasoline 6-cyl. delivering an additional 26 hp at 309 hp in a new X5 xDrive50e model.

Together with a more powerful gearbox-mounted electric motor developing an added 84 hp at 197 hp, overall system power increases 96 hp to 490 hp. Torque also extends by 75 lb.-ft. (102 Nm) to 516 lb.-ft. (700 Nm), giving the sole PHEV in the X5 lineup a claimed 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds.  

The X5 xDrive50e also features a slightly larger battery than the X5 xDrive40e, with the capacity increased 3.4 kWh to 25.7 kWh. It is claimed to provide an electric range of between 58 and 68 miles (93 and 109 km) on the WLTP test cycle. A new AC charging system doubles the previous charging rate to 7.4 kW.

BMW X5 rear 3.4 (1)