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The 2025 BMW X5 xDrive40i strides into the new model year with the confidence of a hot-hatch wearing a Savile Row suit. From the moment you prod the starter button, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six fires up with a cultured hum that hints at its prowess. Push on and the 375 bhp unit pushes the X5 to 60 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds, its slick eight-speed automatic swapping ratios so smoothly you hardly notice. On the motorway, it sweeps past slower traffic with minimal fuss; on a tight B-road, it feels improbably lithe for a family SUV.
Much of that athletic feel comes down to BMW’s deft chassis tuning. The steering is light in town yet precise on a flowing ribbon of tarmac, helping you thread the car neatly through bends. Standard adaptive damping keeps body roll firmly in check, while the optional air suspension glides over patched-up asphalt before rising on command for a muddy lane. Pair that with the rear locking differential and grippy all-terrain rubber, and the X5 is equally at home splashing through rutted tracks on a weekend getaway.
Comfort has not been sacrificed at the altar of handling. Inside, the cabin cocoons five adults in plush, impeccably stitched leather and soft-touch trim. A sweeping 14.9-inch curved display runs the latest iDrive software; responses are instant and the graphics razor-sharp, ensuring navigation, media and vehicle settings sit just a fingertip away. BMW’s effort to declutter menus sometimes hides deeper functions, yet the key controls remain front and centre, so routine tasks stay straightforward.
Practicality remains a hallmark. The split tailgate still proves handy when loading in the weekly shop or serving as an impromptu seat at the cricket. The boot itself is square and deep, and the air suspension can squat for easier dog-loading duty. Sound insulation is stellar too: even on chunky tyres, the interior remains hushed, allowing the excellent hi-fi to fill the space with crisp detail rather than tyre roar.
After a quarter-century, the X5 can no longer claim to be a novelty in the luxury SUV arena, yet this latest xDrive40i shows why the badge commands such respect. It partners straight-line verve with real driver engagement, then wraps the lot in comfort, technology and everyday usability. If you want a premium SUV that still knows how to make every journey feel genuinely rewarding, the 2025 BMW X5 xDrive40i should be near the top of your shortlist.
