Used BMW X5 2013-2018 review

By the time the third iteration of the BMW X5 arrived in 2013, the German company’s then-largest SUV was well established as one of the best in class. That’s no mean feat when you consider its rivals include the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and Range Rover Sport.

At the time, the X5 was one of BMW’s largest and most expensive models, so it carried certain expectations of luxury and performance - certainly more so than the ability to do serious off-roading. It’s therefore no surprise that if you want an SUV there are better options if you want to tackle the rough stuff. Indeed, there was a version of the X5 that didn't even come with four-wheel drive (badged sDrive, rather than xDrive).

• Looking for a different generation? Read our 2018-present BMW X5 and 2007-2013 BMW X5 used buying guides

For an SUV that excels in daily use, however, the X5 is a formidable machine. Part of this is because it's one of the more saloon-like SUVs to drive. By that we mean it turns in to corners well, doesn’t lean excessively and finds plenty of grip. Ride comfort is also good, particularly if you find a model with the upgraded adaptive comfort set-up.

The engine range starts with a 215bhp 2.0-litre diesel in the 25d. That might sound like a stretch in such a large car, but, aside from being a little noisy, it actually performs very well, helped by using the same eight-speed automatic gearbox as pricier models.

Next up are the 30d (254bhp) and 40d (309bhp) models with 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel engines, while for those still craving more power, there’s a 376bhp M50d diesel with three turbochargers and a 50i petrol model packing a 443bhp 5.0-litre V8.

In 2014, BMW introduced a 567bhp X5 M that can get from 0-62mph in 4.2sec. At the other end of the scale is the xDrive40e plug-in hybrid, launched in 2015 and combining a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to give an electric-only range of about 15 miles.

Another standout feature of the X5 is the size of its interior. Two tall adults can travel in the rear without any cause for complaint, and although shoulder room is a little tight for three people sitting abreast, the flat floor does at least mean they won’t be squabbling for foot space.

The boot is massive, plus it has no loading lip and no wheel arch intrusions. On all models bar the X5 M and xDrive40e, buyers could also specify a third row of seats, with the extra two chairs folding out of the boot floor. Although only really suitable for children, they add another string to the X5’s bow.

In 2018 this third-generation X5 was finally replaced by an all-new and updated model, in an effort to take the crown back from such luxury SUV heavyweights as the Audi Q7 and the Range Rover Sport. This new fourth-generation X5 calls on its traditional virtues as key to its undoubted success – namely a suitably upmarket interior and the same tight handling that made this version so promising, not to mention air suspension as standard, which promises an even smoother and more comfortable ride.

If you're interested in finding a used BMW X5 or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

You’ll need at least £15,000 before you can start considering a this generation of X5. That sum will buy you an early four-cylinder 25d or six-cylinder 30d with more than 100,000 miles on the clock.

Adding another £5000 to your budget will give you access to a 70,000-mile example of the above engines in SE trim. M Sport models are more plentiful but also more expensive, to the tune of about £2000 for an example with similar mileage.

Those after a 50i will find it’s slim pickings, with any examples hovering at the £30,000 mark. The high-performance X5 M is very rare on the used market; many buyers instead plumped for the more economical M50d, which is still prodigiously quick and can be had from around £25,000.

Plug-in hybrid xDrive40e models, meanwhile, can be picked up from £30,000 with fewer than 50,000 miles on the clock.

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MPG

The plug-in hybrid, with its official fuel economy figure of 85.6mpg, may sound like it’ll cost pennies to run, but that depends on you only ever completing short journeys and charging it between each one. On longer journeys with the petrol engine engaged, we averaged just 27.0mpg.

The cheapest X5 to run for most people will be the sDrive25d, which returned more than 50mpg in official tests. In the real world, owners tend to achieve 35-37mpg, which is a couple more than you’ll get from the same engine with xDrive four-wheel drive. The six-cylinder diesels will do 30-32mpg, while you’ll struggle to break 30mpg in the tri-turbo x50d. Only those with the deepest of pockets should consider a 50i or X5 M.

Road tax

As far as road tax goes, cars registered before April 2017 will have their fee determined by CO2 emissions. Those registered after that date attract a flat fee, currently £180 per year for petrol and diesel cars and £170 per year for hybrid ones. An additional luxury car tax of £390 for year's two to five of the cars life is applicable if it cost more than £40,000 new.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups are generally in the 40s (out of a possible 50). It's worth bearing in mind is that BMW offered the X5 from new with a servicing package, so if the car you’re looking at still has some of this left to run, you'll be quids in. Other than that, you'll need to bear in mind that this is a big, heavy car, so items such as brakes and tyres will cost a pretty penny when they need to be replaced. Front brake pads alone are £350, for example, while if you need discs as well, you’re looking at £560.

It’s tempting to recommend the punchy and refined 30d or 40d six-cylinder X5s, but the four-cylinder 25d is almost as good and cheaper to run. Spec levels are divided between SE and M Sport, both of which are well equipped. SE, for example, includes metallic paint, front and rear parking sensors, 18in alloy wheels and leather seats. Upgrading to M Sport gets you sportier styling, bigger wheels, adaptive sports suspension and electrically adjustable front seats, although the slightly firmer ride counts against it.

If you’re after an X5 with the pace to truly excite, the M50d or X5 M will easily do the job, with the former somewhat cheaper to run.

Our favourite BMW X5: xDrive25d SE

The Porsche Cayenne may lack the option of seven seats, but it's otherwise the only large SUV that can claim to be better to drive than the X5, as well as being a rather capable off-roader.

The Range Rover Sport is also worth a look, although its infotainment system isn’t as good as BMWs and running costs will be higher. It can definitely handle off-roading, mind you.

If you’re looking at a nearly new X5, it’s also worth considering the latest version of the Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7. Both offer slightly more space and interiors that are even plusher the BMW’s.

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If you're interested in finding a used BMW X5 or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.