2020 BMW X5 Review

Coming off a full redesign last year, the current BMW X5 is a versatile and high-class luxury SUV. It has lots of standard and available high-tech safety features, its interior is bigger and better equipped than ever before, and performance from both base models is strong.

However, for some shoppers, that's not enough. They want a high-performance version — and that's just what BMW has given them with the 2020 X5 M50i.

What Is It?

The 2020 BMW X5 M50i is a pumped-up version of BMW's midsize luxury SUV. Thanks to a more powerful engine, significant suspension updates and some differences in styling, the X5 M50i clearly stands apart from the mainstream X5 models.

How Powerful Is It?

The standard X5 comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produces 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. Go with the optional 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 in the X5 xDrive50i and you get those numbers up to 456 hp and 479 lb-ft.

The M50i turns up its nose at such mundanity, upping the ante to 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. This extra boost in power drops the estimated 0-60 mph time to just 4.1 seconds — impressive for a vehicle of any size. Like other X5s, the M50i comes with an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Where'd They Get That Power From?

The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 gets some notable updates to withstand the higher stress. The engine block is made with a different aluminum alloy, and BMW has also added unique pistons and reinforced piston rings. To smooth out engine vibrations (not that this exceptionally refined V8 had a problem in the first place), a damper has been placed on the V8's crankshaft.

Any Extra Equipment?

The M50i comes with an electronically controlled M Sport differential that transfers power between wheels to maximize traction. Suspension bushings and spring and damper settings have been tuned to this car's specific power output. Extra stopping power comes courtesy of larger M Sport brakes nestled within lightweight 20-inch wheels. On the outside, the X5 has larger front bumper openings to funnel more air to the engine. Additionally, there are several M logos on the vehicle that add at least 25 horsepower help it stand out in a parking lot full of luxury SUVs.

What Else Does It Come With?

Standard equipment for the X5 M50i includes adaptive LED headlights and LED foglights, dual-zone automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay compatibility, heated multicontour front seats, a 12.3-inch central display (with BMW's Live Cockpit Professional iDrive 7 system), two USB ports and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

If that's not enough, you can optionally add an adaptive air suspension that lowers the car nearly an inch when you place it in Sport mode or exceed 85 mph. (You can also raise the ride height by up to 1.6 inches if needed.) Also offered are a Dynamic Handling package (active steering and adaptive M suspension), a safety package called Driving Assistance Professional (active lane-keeping assist, active cruise control, front cross-traffic alert), and a Parking Assistance package.

How Much Does It Cost?

For all this horsepower and head-turning festoonery, the X5 M50i will run you at least $83,145 (including $995 destination). Add some options packages and you'll have no problem getting this thing up to the $100K mark. By the standards of high-performance luxury SUVs with V8 engines, that's not an unreasonable price range.

2020 X5 M50i Pricing and Release Date

A specific on-sale date is not available yet, but the 2020 X5 M50i goes into production in August of 2019. Accordingly, we expect to see it in the fall of 2019.