CarGurus expert rating: 5 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.3 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 32.4%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 4.5 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 760
Average Price: Around £37,900

BMW X5 (2018-present) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Far more enjoyable to drive than most large SUVs	Not as capable off road as a Land Rover Discovery
Brilliant plug-in hybrid version	Petrols in particular are expensive to run
Staggering performance of X5 M	Not everyone will take to the styling

Quick Summary

The BMW X5 is the fourth-generation luxury SUV, introduced in 2018 and facelifted in 2023. It offers an impressive blend of performance, style, space and practicality, with a wide choice of engines including an efficient plug-in hybrid xDrive50e, two diesel options, and high-performance V8-powered M models. Whilst the Land Rover Discovery excels off-road and the Mercedes GLE prioritises luxury, the X5 stands out as one of the most well-rounded large premium SUVs available, delivering car-like handling with the commanding presence of an SUV.

The X5 offers excellent passenger space with ample room for five adults, optional third-row seating on non-hybrid versions, and a generous 650-litre boot (500 litres on the xDrive50e). It feels impressively car-like to drive for its size, with tidy body control, predictable handling and standard four-wheel drive across the range. The plug-in hybrid xDrive50e delivers up to 64 miles of electric-only range and exceptional efficiency, whilst diesel engines provide strong daily performance. The V8-powered M models offer supercar-baiting pace, though running costs are considerably higher across the petrol and V8 range.

Best for: Buyers seeking a spacious, luxurious and genuinely enjoyable large SUV; company car drivers (xDrive50e); those prioritising long-distance comfort and refinement; and performance enthusiasts (M models).

Not ideal for: Off-road adventurers (Land Rover Discovery is better); those seeking the ultimate in luxury (Mercedes GLE); budget-conscious buyers; or those concerned about high running costs on petrol and V8 versions.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the X5 if: You seek a spacious, luxurious and genuinely enjoyable large SUV; you're a company car driver (xDrive50e); you prioritise long-distance comfort and refinement; or you want performance (M models).

Consider alternatives if: Off-road capability is essential (Land Rover Discovery), you want ultimate luxury (Mercedes GLE), you're budget-conscious, or you're concerned about high running costs on petrol and V8 versions.

Competitive Position: The BMW X5 gets the big stuff right: it's spacious, properly luxurious and, unlike most large SUVs, genuinely enjoyable to drive, feeling better behind the wheel than rivals such as the Volvo XC90 whilst remaining easy and refined in everyday use. It isn't cheap to run, and the styling divides opinion, but the X5 gets very little wrong. If you spend most of your time on the road, the X5 stands out as one of the most rounded and accomplished SUVs in its class.

Read our full BMW X5 Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.