The day was crisp and cool as the sun started to run its race across the sky like a strong man, all golden, warm and full of strength.  In the foreground was a brand-new BMW X5 SUV, the Mineral White paintwork gleaming a golden hue.  This BMW X5 is one of the petrol variants that you can buy in Australia, one of the two petrol models for 2024.  This one is also the flagship model, loaded with all the gadgets, electronics, luxury, and performance. 

A late model BMW X5 has seen some water go under the bridge since the first of this kind of luxury/sports SUV came into production.  When the X5 launched back in 1999, it featured all-wheel drive, always had plenty of power on tap, and was available with either a manual or automatic gearbox in a series of petrol and diesel variants.  Today, we see the 2024 BMW X5 SUV is a more streamlined, more sophisticated machine, especially considering all the added technology (both in the form of infotainment and safety) that we see in a new car like this premium luxury brand.

2024 BMW X5s are available in petrol, diesel, or plug-in hybrid models.  With all the stringent emission standards, the engines used by BMW to power their vehicles are advanced and efficient.  So what does a 2024 BMW X5 Petrol SUV look like?  How does it drive?  What goodies can you find inside one of these capable machines?  Well, let’s take a look.

Ok, a new BMW X5 won’t be the cheapest SUV out there, but it will be one of the best of its kind you can drive.  A new BMW X5 M60i sets you back a little bit south of $200k, while the xDrive 40i M Sport sits around the $150k mark.  Both of these are the X5 models pumping petrol through their veins.  The sort of person who will buy a new BMW X5 Petrol SUV will be someone with plenty of cash, someone who loves the quality of a new BMW, someone who needs the space these machines provide for both occupants and luggage, and someone who enjoys the way that either of these models can effortlessly cover the ground at pace and in total control.  The addition of AWD grip and traction control both for on the road and off it is brilliant. 

As you slip into the X5’s interior, the cabin oozes quality and sophistication.  The seats are gorgeous, supportive, and really comfortable.  The dash is elegant, offering some truly classy materials for the surfaces.  The big centre console houses the iDrive function BMW fans have all become accustomed to, and sitting behind the steering wheel and venturing across to the centre dash area is a classy rectangular digital display screen that not only has the driver’s info for the driver’s space but also seamlessly runs into the infotainment and cabin functions on the centre dash stage for all to see. 

The 2024 BMW X5 comes with voice commands, and gesture and touch controls; it also connects to your phone wirelessly.  Obviously, the wireless charging pad for your phone is a handy feature.  Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features, while both petrol variants come with satellite navigation along with a heads-up display as standard equipment.  The four-zone climate control brings lovely fresh air into the spacious M60i cabin, so whether you need it hot for a cold day or cool for a hot day, the new X5 caters well at the task of making its occupants both comfortable and relaxed.

Inside the new 2024 BMW X5 Petrol models and, for that matter, any other new X5 variant, there are all sorts of standard features.  These include things like a powered panoramic tilt/slide moonroof, an electric tailgate, keyless entry and start, an electrically adjustable leather-trimmed steering wheel, multi-colour ambient interior lighting adjustment, adjustable 16-way powered front seats, stunning upholstery, wireless phone charging, forward-collision warning and crash avoidance technology, lane-departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring, road speed limit information, adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, and parking sensors front and rear.  You can get your new X5 with the heated steering wheel option, and also with rear seats that can be heated as well.  Soft-closing automatic doors, an air suspension, and four-zone climate control (two-zone is standard) are other options you can add to your 2024 X5 drive.

Inside the impeccably built X5 Petrol SUV are a range of interior colours that you can choose from, the base material options using BMW’s Sensafin leatherette upholstery.  With the Sensafin leatherette, you can opt for Black, Coffee, Cognac, or Silverstone colours.  The seats, the centre console, and the door panels in the colour of your choice are designed to match up with the rest of the interior, which is a black accent.  Merino leather upholstery is available at an extra cost, and comes with the Black on Black, Coffee on Black, Black on Ivory White, and Black on Tartufo (orange) colour schemes.  The leather interior upgrade also dresses the seatbelts and lower dashboard in the theme colour.  With the top of the range BMW X5 M60i, you can get all the same choices as the others, except you get the premium multi-contoured seats as standard, along with the Merino leather option.  With Merino leather, you can also have your M60i exclusively with its dashboard trimmed in genuine leather.  The diamond-shaped patterns on the M60i seats are gorgeous.

Fineline Stripe Brown High Gloss Wood is the lovely standard option for X5 interior trimmings, with a choice of no-cost extra alternatives comprising Fineline Open Pore Wood, Fineline Black Wood, or Anthracite-Brown Poplar Matte Finish Wood.  The BMW X5 M60i has access to the same four choices, but its default finish is the Fineline Black Wood; also available are the Carbon Fibre and Individual Piano Black finishes. In all new BMW X5 trims, the cloth headliner can be exchanged for an Alcantara material.

There is space to burn inside one of these luxury SUVs, and the 2024 X5 boasts kingly comfort in the front seats, decent comfort in the second row (no third row this time), and 500 litres of luggage space behind the split-folding rear seats, which grows to 1870 litres when these rear seats have been folded all the way down. 

Firing up the 4.4-litre V8 is exhilarating, and the engine burbles away nicely when forced to do some work.  Twin turbo power enables this X5 Petrol variant to run up to a limited top speed of 250 km/h.  Force the issue right from the get-go and you can hustle the X5 M60i from a standstill through to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds!  A wholesome 750 Nm of torque is on tap between 1800 and 4600 rpm, which is simply phenomenal.  There is also 390 kW of power available in this V8 equation.  The eight-speed automatic gearbox does a stellar job of offering smooth, slick gear shifting for all forms of driving – whether it’s just pootling about between flower shows or gunning it on the motorways.  I have to say it’s a cracker to drive.

Not far off the X5 M60i’s pace, the new BMW X5 xDrive 40i M Sport can scamper along equally well on any road.  The same energy and cruising ability is still offered on this model because there is that wickedly good straight six motor (arguably the best six-cylinder motor ever made) that uses turbo induction for filling in any power gaps.  The 3.0-litre six can still get the X5 to shift from zero to hero (100 km/h) in 5.4 seconds and also has a limited top speed of 250 km/h.  There is still a lusty level of torque to tow the caravan or boat (520 Nm, 1850–5000 rpm), and the 280 kW of power is plenty good enough for leaving the majority of slower traffic well behind.  You probably better not do that while towing the caravan though, cause the red and blue twinkling lights are likely to follow that procedure!

One of the hallmarks of driving any X5 – and the newest one is no exception – is the gorgeous ride and roadholding ability at any speed.  This is a superb long-distance tourer that can take the family around Australia no problems at all.  And you can even throw in some light off-roading duties to boot, as the X5 SUV is happy to explore down a track here or over a field there.  You wouldn’t tackle a Land Cruiser’s route, but for most keen adventurers, the X5 is a commendable companion.

Leaving the X5 parked up, I reluctantly hand the key fob back.  Glancing back at the exterior of the new BMW X5, it still looks fresh and enticing.  The smoother lines of the boxy SUV’s new shape have done it good. It’s not as swoopy as a BMW X6, but the lines are still attractive and balanced.  The black lower bumper insert and black kidneys with the M badge on the M60i, along with the M Sport body kit, deliver a stunning design.  The X5 xDrive 40i M Sport also gets this treatment.  You can also get an array of alloy designs from 20t to 22 inches in diameter.  The 2024 models have an upgraded adaptive LED headlight set.  But a big difference between the xDrive 40i M Sport and the M60i is the twin exhaust outlet that is on the xDrive 40i M Sport is exchanged for the quad exhaust system on the flagship, most powerful model.  And fair enough, I say! 

Eight exterior colours are offered; the Alpine White is a no-cost option.  Mineral White (as on this M60i), Carbon Black, Black Sapphire, Skyscraper Grey, Brooklyn Grey, Manhattan Green, and Blue Ridge Mountain are the seven metallics that are available at a small additional cost.  For a new M60i X5, all the abovementioned colours are offered as no-cost options, except for Blue Ridge Mountain (deleted).  But it also gains five extra trim-exclusive metallic colours: the no-cost Marina Bay Blue, Dravit Grey, Ametrin, and that stunning Tanzanite Blue II.  A Frozen Pure Grey boasts a matte paint finish and is the most expensive paint job on offer.

Yeah, I’m smitten.  The 2024 BMW X5 Petrol SUVs models are truly lovely to drive.  Smooth, effortless performance and premium comfort never grows old.  These two variants come with a 5 year/unlimited km warranty, and 3 years of roadside assistance.

The 2024 BMW X5 SUV Petrol models include the:

• X5 xDrive 40i M Sport
• X5 M60i

For any more information on the new BMW X5 SUV, for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of BMW dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!