The 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e Hybrid Luxury Midsize SUV
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: Who is BMW? Bayerische Motoren Werke, commonly known as Bavarian Motor Works, or BMW, is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. BMW is headquartered in Munich. It also owns and produces Mini cars, and is the parent company of Rolls Royce Motor Cars.
BMW calls their SUV’s X models, as they have an X for every adventure, and xDrive stands for AWD all wheel drive. Next they are SAV’s, as in Sports Activity Vehicles, versatile vehicles at home, on the open road, and on unexplored terrain. They sell 11 different X models, in 7 different sizes, and in escalating prices.
They start with the X1 size, then X2, X3, X3M, X4, X4M, X5, X5M, X6, X6M, and the top of the line ultra luxury liner, X7 model. M editions are BMW’s high performance models, then add in an “e” for hybrid electric vehicles. The nomenclature is a bit confusing without a scorecard, but you get the drift.
This week BMW sent me a 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e Hybrid Luxury Midsize SAV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this model is: $65,400.
The options on the press car are: Metallic Paint for $550, the Driving Assistance Professional Package for $1,700, the M Sport Package for $5,500, the Executive Package for $4,050, the M Sport Y-Spoke Bi-Colored Alloy Wheels for $950, M Sport Brakes with Blue Painted Calipers for $650, a Trailer Hitch for $550, Multi Contour Seats for $750, Front and Rear Heated Seats for $350, Heated Arm Rests and a Heated Steering Wheel for $250, plus the destination charge of $995.
The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $16,295 in options and the delivery fee, came to: $81,695.
The electrified X5 xDrive45e is powered by a 3.0 liter BMW Twin Power Turbo inline 6 cylinder gas engine and an integrated electric motor, with xDrive, BMW’s intelligent all wheel drive traction system. Paired
with a single 111 hp electric motor, which is sandwiched between the 8 speed automatic transmission and the new straight six cylinder engine, it helps generate a combined 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque.
The electric motor and battery hybrid side of the powertrain can drive the car for up to 30 miles on a full charge. The battery pack can handle a maximum charge rate of 7kW. Charging from empty to full takes about five hours on a domestic 240 volt charger with 7kW output, or nine hours if you have a basic 110 volt 3.6 kW charger.
For the luxury buyer this car has the Executive Package which includes a Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof with Glass Controls, a Vernasca Grained Leather interior, a 4 zone automatic climate control system, wireless charging pads, a Premium Harman Kardon surround sound system, HUD head up display, side window shades, and enhanced USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Hotspots.
The performance driver gets the M Sport Package with M Sport Y spoke
bi-colored alloy wheels, an enhanced 8 speed M Sport automatic transmission, a SensaTec digital dashboard, a M Sport steering wheel, M Sport blue painted brake calipers, Shadowline exterior trim, an aerodynamic kit, roof rails in high gloss Shadowline paint, and run flat tires.
The driving experience is fantastic, with fast power, quick handling, sport steering and your in ultimate comfort, all the time. This is BMW’s take on what a luxury sport midsize SUV should look like, and drive like. Then they add in a Hybrid battery pack, keyless entry, Sirius XM satellite HD radio, Apple CarPlay, frontal collision warning, lane departure warning, active blind spot detection, acoustic protections for pedestrians, daytime LED running lights, and back it up with a class 3 trailer hitch. So now you can tow and go to the lake, cabin, or country club, in luxurious style and comfort.
Readers always ask about how nice does the press car drive? Well, after a week in this new for 2021 BMW X5 Hybrid SUV, I was extremely impressed. Of course, with a car costing just $100 bucks shy of $92K out the door, you would expect the best of everything, and this BMW X5 delivers all of that, and much more.
When you’re ready to buy a new luxury midsize SUV, the 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e Hybrid should be on your ride and drive list, as it is one of the nicest luxury hybrid SUVs on the market today. So, call, click or visit your local BMW dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the all new for 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e Hybrid SAV.
A word to the wise is sufficient: Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.