2013 BMW X5 Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2013 BMW X5 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2013 X5 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2013 BMW X5 and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2013 X5 3.6 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2013 X5.
Vehicle
xDrive35i Sport Activity 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Review
We wanted to buy a new one in 2010, but they were just a little too high for anything but a diesel, and we were wary of diesel price swings, the different character of that engine, and being able to pull into a pump anywhere at a busy station back when diesel was less common. Years later, we found that many diesel versions had reliability issues. But in terms of all-around ability (ride, handling, acceleration, comfort, utility, towing ability, looks) it was still our favorite 6 years later. It handles fantastic for such a large heavy vehicle. You can feel the weight but the huge tires grip like crazy. The SAV version is definitely the one to get, it looks great, and gives a feeling of confidence in turns and at speed that most others just do not. Utility is good, not great, with over 70 cu ft of cargo area with seats down. They don't fold flat, which is disappointing (we have dogs), but there is plenty of room for a road trip with 4 dogs, 2 people, and luggage. A family of four would do ok. It can also tow a fairly heavy trailer, but I installed my own hitch and wiring as the BMW version is outrageously expensive. Took 2 hours, so there's no valid reason for their exorbitant labor charges, as they should be able to do it in half the time. Ride is firm but not harsh, though big bumps will be felt. It is a better ride than our Volvo S60 R design sport sedan, but those seeking a luxury smooth ride should look elsewhere. It is surprisingly quiet for a vehicle like this. Seat comfort is better for the thin shouldered, as the bolsters do press a little on my broad back at the lats. The thigh extension is a must-have. Xenons make visibilty good at night, and there are no blind spots to worry about. Throttle tip in is actually slower than it should be, you have to punch it to get power in regular transmission mode. It doesn't seem to be turbo lag (max torque comes in at just 1250 rpm) but a throttle tip in issue. Acceleration is good, not breathtaking, but more than enough for regular driving, especially at speed. Handling is very confidence inspiring and curvy mountain roads won't raise the hairs on your back like in most crossovers or SUVs. Not too far from a sport sedan and better than most mundane sedans. Very handsome vehicle, materials are good, and our 3 year old example looked practically new. Many others we looked at didn't fare so well. We paid $37,000 for one with 34K miles and it still has one year of bumper to bumper and 2 more years of CPO coverage. With taxes and the hitch we have $39K in it. It stickered for about $69,000 so that's a nice savings. It had an airbag recall that was fixed before we got it but otherwise the history was clean. There was no spare on this one which is unfortunate, but those temp spares are so limited in range and speed that it wasn't of much use anyway on long trips. The interior design is handsome but not beautiful. Ergonomics are typical BMW, with a learning curve for some functions like cruise and the computer. The NAV is useful but like most, not always great. The iDrive controller is fairly easy to use now and fairly logical, though one can still get screens not doing what you want when choosing the split screen or wanting to display your songs when you are also navigating, etc. Tons of brake dust, like all BMWs. But a very solid feeling vehicle and great build quality. Conceptually this is the closest to a "does it all" vehicle that one can find. Sporty, good looking(in SAV trim), good handling, quiet, reasonable ride quality, safe, spacious, and reasonable comfort. My only fix would be to add the luxury comfort seat option, as the sport seats are supportive but a little firm compared to our Volvos. But anything will be less comfortable than Volvo seats. Only those who value solid handling and sporty aspirations should bother paying the price, as there are plenty of bigger or more cushy rides available for less. We just want the confidence it gives at high speed and the active safety of great handling and braking for the class. UPDATE: Steering is actually over-heavy, in parking situations the wide tires and heavy steering actually make your arms ache while backing a trailer. It "feels" as heavy as it is, and so unless you need the extra space, the X3 is probably a better choice for driving enthusiasts, but really a wagon would be best of all. Unfortunately they make only the 3 series wagon and I find its seats too narrow. The X5 seats are wide. It's very solid at speed, but not nimble.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2013 BMW X5
Edmunds Value
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
The 2013 Bmw X5 earned a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 3.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
Available BMW X5 2013 Submodel Types: SUV, Diesel, Hybrid
Available Trims: xDrive35i, xDrive35d, xDrive50i, 3.0i, 3.0si, 4.8i, xDrive35i Premium, 4.4i, xDrive40e iPerformance, xDrive30i, xDrive48i, sDrive35i, xDrive35i Sport Activity, 4.6is
Exterior Colors: Alpine White, Jet Black, Black Sapphire Metallic, Space Gray Metallic, Dark Graphite Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Titanium Silver Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Sparkling Brown Metallic, Platinum Gray Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Monaco Blue Metallic, Atlas Cedar Metallic, Deep Sea Blue Metallic, Sparkling Bronze Metallic, Toledo Blue Metallic, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Vermilion Red Metallic, Mineral Silver Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, Deep Green Metallic, Steel Gray Metallic, Mineral Green Metallic, Orion Silver Metallic, Stratus Gray Metallic, Kalahari Beige Metallic, Siena Red Metallic, Topaz Blue Metallic
Interior Colors: Black Dakota leather, Black leatherette, Terra Dakota leather, Mocha Dakota leather, Beige leatherette, Canberra Beige/Black Dakota leather, Canberra Beige Dakota leather, Black premium leather, Criollo Brown Extended Merino premium leather, Ivory White/Black Dakota leather, Mocha Nappa premium leather, Black Nappa premium leather, Black SensaTec leatherette, Cinnamon Brown Nevada premium leather, Black, Sand Beige Nevada premium leather, Beige, Sand Beige leather, Black leather, Gray, Gray leather, Oyster Nevada premium leather, Black Nevada premium leather, Sand Beige premium leather, Saddle Brown premium leather, Ivory White Nappa premium leather, Tobacco premium leather, Sand Beige Perforated Nevada premium leather, Cinnamon Brown premium leather, Gray premium leather, Tobacco Nevada premium leather, Black Perforated Nevada premium leather, Amaro Brown Extended Merino premium leather, Tobacco/Black leather
Popular Features: Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Power Driver Seat, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Trip Computer, AWD/4WD, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Post-collision safety system, Upgraded Headlights, Tire Pressure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Aux Audio Inputs, Sunroof/Moonroof, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Parking sensors, Navigation, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Heated seats, 6000lb Towing Capacity, Back-up camera, Leather Seats, Keyless Entry/Start, Heads up display, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Upgraded Stereo, Mobile Internet, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, 360-degree camera, Pre-collision safety system, Third-row seating, Adaptive Cruise Control, 5000lb Towing Capacity, Cooled Seats, Rear Entertainment System
Engine/Mechanics: 6, 8, 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (required), premium unleaded (recommended), diesel, regular unleaded
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, rear wheel drive
