2021 BMW X5 45e – First Drive
The Trifecta of Luxury, Performance and Efficiency
There are two reasons why you’d want to buy a BMW – luxury and performance. But BMW now wants to give you a third reason, and that’s fuel efficiency and the easiest way to do that is by downsizing the engine. But as we al know, BMW doesn’t like to do things the easy way, and above all, sounds contradictory – performance and efficiency doesn’t usually co-exist. So what BMW has done, is kept all the power and glory the BMW X5 has to offer, and then making it into a plug-in hybrid. That means, the onboard 24 kWh lithium ion battery pack can get up to 51 miles of EV range while leaving you with 394 of adrenaline horsepower at your disposal. You can thank the TwinPower inline 6 engine and the onboard 83kW electric motor for that.
And as you might have guessed, the BMW X5 45e does not come cheap. Base price starts at $83,500 with an available Premium Enhanced Package for an extra $9,000 that gets you a Universal Remote Control for custom integration, Comfort Access, Auto-4 Zone climate controls, BMW Laserlight Headlights and it’s even got a heated and cooled Cupholders located on the front console – how cool is that! Add the M-Sport Package with larger 21″ rims and M Sport Brakes and decals, Advanced Driving Assistance Package that will include Traffic Jam Assistant, Driving Assistant Professional ADAS system and cross-traffic alert and custom Extended Merino Leather, that brings our configured tester model at a whopping $100,400 price tag.
Needless to say, if BMW price is asking for the best, expect the X5 45e to give the best. There is every bit of nuance in luxury, innovation and technology that has been skillfully crafted into this impeccable machine.
I’m referring to the interior that’s got exceptional build quality, quilted Merino leather seats, a combination of wood grain panels, brushed aluminum trims, mesh-style panel and one of my favorite details, the glass crystal BMW X electronic shit knob. All that with a panoramic sunroof to flood the cabin space with natural sunlight. It’s even got a few tricks up its sleeve to make the 45e a bit more user friendly. Take for example the configurable ride-height adjustable air suspensions and the rear mini split-tailgate design to provide ease of access. Rear cargo space can also be increased via the 60/40 rear folding seats.
Let’s not forget, BMW is one of THE leaders in building cars. And BMW loves to tout little surprises to make your driving experience a little bit more interesting. Take for example the electronic seat belts that gently tauts you in the driver’s seat as you drive off, always reminding to hang on, because you’re about to go for a ride.
When it comes to EV technology, BMW is not new. A nostalgic memory of the BMW i3 BMW had more than enough capability to tackle the technological feat. Despite its low sales numbers in part due to the unconventional design, those that got to experience the i3 loved the way it handled and performed. Lesson learned, BMW has now transferred its EV innovation and technology towards their mainstream front-liners, and I have to say, the X5 45e feels great with quick, smooth and whisper-quiet EV operation for up to 51 miles. Charge time on a standard 110V outlet will take around 16 hours; therefore, we’d recommend to use a 220V charger to reduce the charge time down to 5-6 hours.
Punching the throttle showcases BMW’s iconic display of muscularity and masculinity. A twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0 liter inline six engine works in tandem with the onboard 83 kW electric motor to produce a menacing 394 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to accelerate the BMW X5 45e from a 0 to 60 in a mere 5.6 seconds. What’s most impressive is doing it with no stutter, or hesitation, just raw power and acceleration.
It’s extremely rare for a car to perform well across the board, but the BMW X5 45e did exactly that from exquisite luxury, to high performance and efficiency. While 51 miles of EV range is not a lot, most would likely get away with it on a daily commute with an EV charger installed in their own home.
And with the EV revolution just around the corner, that puts BMW in a bit of a pickle as it is the shear thrill and adrenaline we all seek from BMW. BMW expects 20 percent of sales to be either battery or plug-in hybrid by 2023 and full all-electric by 2030. That said, the BMW X5 45e has given us an exciting glimpse of what lies ahead.
Specifications
- Vehicle : 2021 BMW X5 45
- Model : X5 45e (Plugin Hybrid_
- Vehicle Type : 5-door Cross-over
- Seating Capacity : 2+3
- Engine : TwinPower 3.0L Inline 6
- Transmission : 8-speed Automatic
- Price as tested: $100,400
Pros
- Superior Performance and Exceptional Build Quality
- Unique aesthetics and design features that elevates driving experience
- Excellent performance from modified B58 engine
Cons
- Fully electric EV is not available