A week with BMW’s unexpectedly charming X5 Hybrid SUV

A fun-to-drive, fuel efficient SUV? We put it to the test.

Read the whole story

 

[iolinux333]

Lots of extra bits combined with the extreme unreliability of BMW? What's not to love!

 

[rick*d]

Did driving one for a week give you any insight into one of modern man's greatest mysteries?

Does owning a BMW make you a jerk, or do only jerks buy BMWs?

 

[mrseb]

rick*d[/url]":1b20zpx5]Did driving one for a week give you any insight into one of modern man's greatest mysteries?

Does owning a BMW make you a jerk, or do only jerks buy BMWs?

I should point out that both Aurich and I have BMWs (sporty ones even!) - and we're both REALLY LOVELY people.

 

[Dr Gitlin]

rick*d[/url]":j0sty6rh]Did driving one for a week give you any insight into one of modern man's greatest mysteries?

Does owning a BMW make you a jerk, or do only jerks buy BMWs?

It did teach me that people will refuse to let you merge into traffic.

 

[maxwell]

It really doesn't come with keyless entry unless you pony up for the Premium Package? Really?

I agree with the sentiment that the original X5 was gorgeous - a real knockout when SUVS were mostly 2 box designs. Every iteration gets a little less special.

 

[JiveTurkeyJerky]

What kind of asshole parks their non-EV in an EV spot?

 

[rick*d]

Dr Gitlin[/url]":1nzlcnat]

rick*d[/url]":1nzlcnat]Did driving one for a week give you any insight into one of modern man's greatest mysteries?

Does owning a BMW make you a jerk, or do only jerks buy BMWs?

It did teach me that people will refuse to let you merge into traffic.

Did you signal your intent to merge? If so, perhaps the sight of a BMW with an operating turn signal stunned them. Or perhaps they assumed you just didn't know it was on and didn't really want to change lanes. Because, in general, I'd say 80% of the time "merge" is an alien concept to a BMW owner as it implies there are other vehicles on the road.

 

[rick*d]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":1rw3hw57]What kind of asshole parks their non-EV in an EV spot?

Is this a trick question? My brother-in-law owns a Leaf and he says there's a term for this - "getting ICEd".

 

[BMWTech]

Dr Gitlin[/url]":ikfgedzq]

rick*d[/url]":ikfgedzq]Did driving one for a week give you any insight into one of modern man's greatest mysteries?

Does owning a BMW make you a jerk, or do only jerks buy BMWs?

It did teach me that people will refuse to let you merge into traffic.

I get this all the time. In my BMW people are less courteous to when driving (letting you merge, tailgating you and so on). Driving our Chevy Trax it's completely different. Seems to me the problem isn't with the BMW driver, but the other drivers who stereotype them (and change their driving habits accordingly).

 

[angrysand]

iolinux333[/url]":1injs6rv]Lots of extra bits combined with the extreme unreliability of BMW? What's not to love!

BMWs are the hot girls you want to date (lease) rather than marry (buy), because long term maintenance just turns you off.

That being said I would expect better mileage from a 2 liter engine? Maybe someone could explain the dynamics because I know this is not exactly apples to apples comparison, but I could easily average 30mpgs on the 328i and even my A4 (both 2 liter displacements) on longer trips and high 20s on average.

 

[seltzermx]

Dr Gitlin[/url]":2qb8sdx0]

rick*d[/url]":2qb8sdx0]Did driving one for a week give you any insight into one of modern man's greatest mysteries?

Does owning a BMW make you a jerk, or do only jerks buy BMWs?

It did teach me that people will refuse to let you merge into traffic.

I drive an X3 and can confirm. 1) There's a nice open spot next to me: 2) turn on my blinker to indicate I want to switch lanes; 3) people speed up to block me.

 

[Elle]

As I tweeted after my test drive, the X5 hybrid's regenerative braking is perfect for when VA/MD drivers see a BMW with NJ plates and immediately try to cut you off.

 

[thebonafortuna]

First off, thanks for writing this review. I definitely fall into the category of "car and BMW enthusiast", and had no idea there was an electronic X5 on the way. Although it's not a big surprise.

Personally, I think it's really smart that some car companies are taking a "let's use hybrid technology to boost the performance of our existing vehicles" approach to car making, as opposed to only designing electric cars. The Prius, while an excellent car in its own right, was never going to win over car enthusiasts to hybrid technology.

That said, I'm very disappointed to read that handling in this car continues to be a problem. Car & Driver recently did a review of the newest X5 (sans hybrid motor), and came away unimpressed for the same reason. I'm also a little apprehensive at how easily the author slid into passive driving mode, as opposed to driving "enthusiastically". In some ways, it stands to benefit our society if BMW drivers would stop driving like complete jackasses (and Mercedes drivers would start observing stop signs...and Subaru drivers stopped driving twenty MPH under the speed limit in passing lanes...), but...as somebody that enjoys driving...I don't know, I'd really rather not fall into that lackadaisical driving mentality any time soon.

There are so many ways we're dehumanizing aspects of our lives today. I guess I still prefer a machine and analog connection. It kind of worries me that BMW is now actively designing cars that take the excitement out of driving. And that goes across their entire line.

 

[rick*d]

angrysand[/url]":26mm6pd9]

iolinux333[/url]":26mm6pd9]Lots of extra bits combined with the extreme unreliability of BMW? What's not to love!

BMWs are the hot girls you want to date (lease) rather than marry (buy), because long term maintenance just turns you off.

That being said I would expect better mileage from a 2 liter engine? Maybe someone could explain the dynamics because I know this is not an apples to apples comparisons, but I could easily average 30mpgs on the 328i and even my A4 (both 2 liter displacements) on longer trips and high 20s on average.

Engine displacement has very little to do with it. The largest factor is vehicle weight, followed by aerodynamics. The biggest contribution engine displacement has is that larger engines weigh more (and require correspondingly beefier and thus heavier transmissions, suspension, frame, etc.).

 

[rick*d]

seltzermx[/url]":ghyu8g7o]

Dr Gitlin[/url]":ghyu8g7o]

rick*d[/url]":ghyu8g7o]Did driving one for a week give you any insight into one of modern man's greatest mysteries?

Does owning a BMW make you a jerk, or do only jerks buy BMWs?

It did teach me that people will refuse to let you merge into traffic.

I drive an X3 and can confirm. 1) There's a nice open spot next to me: 2) turn on my blinker to indicate I want to switch lanes; 3) people speed up to block me.

I drive a 2001 Saturn LW300 station wagon, and the exact same thing happens to me. It's not your BMW, it's that most drivers are jerks.

 

[Statistical]

angrysand[/url]":2wfqka7c]Maybe someone could explain the dynamics because I know this is not exactly apples to apples comparison, but I could easily average 30mpgs on the 328i and even my A4 (both 2 liter displacements) on longer trips and high 20s on average.

Mass and wind resistance (areodynamics) on which the X5 loses for both.

 

[JiveTurkeyJerky]

rick*d[/url]":166p4orf]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":166p4orf]What kind of asshole parks their non-EV in an EV spot?

Is this a trick question? My brother-in-law owns a Leaf and he says there's a term for this - "getting ICEd".

You should have your brother-in-law google "getting iced"..

I guess I just always try to hold out hope for society - otherwise I'd be bitter all the time.. I just don't personally know these types of people - what went so wrong in their life to make them a giant piece of shit? Ugh, I really hate people some days..

I wish places that put in these large EV sections just kept a Tow Truck parked right by them so they could tow these inconsiderate "humans".

 

[Chemical Tribe]

"You won't have to pay too much of a premium over the conventionally powered X5s to pick up an X5 xDrive40e. MSRP starts at $62,100"

Buy one used after a couple of years and the price drops to what the market truly values it, around $20k.

 

[Unsheept]

seltzermx[/url]":j39urr10]

Dr Gitlin[/url]":j39urr10]

rick*d[/url]":j39urr10]Did driving one for a week give you any insight into one of modern man's greatest mysteries?

Does owning a BMW make you a jerk, or do only jerks buy BMWs?

It did teach me that people will refuse to let you merge into traffic.

I drive an X3 and can confirm. 1) There's a nice open spot next to me: 2) turn on my blinker to indicate I want to switch lanes; 3) people speed up to block me.

To be fair, the only time I've found that not to be the case is when driving a full size pickup truck (for best results the body should be beat up and rusty).

 

[Unsheept]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":1ivvszml]

rick*d[/url]":1ivvszml]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":1ivvszml]What kind of asshole parks their non-EV in an EV spot?

Is this a trick question? My brother-in-law owns a Leaf and he says there's a term for this - "getting ICEd".

You should have your brother-in-law google "getting iced".

When did "getting iced" change to refer to a drinking game?!? Last I recall, it was what you got when you pissed off the mafia.

 

[jasconius87]

"As befits a modern car that costs $62,000, a button will open or close the hatch for you."

is this tongue in cheek or does the author not realize this comes on tons of cars a third of the price now

 

[afidel]

This model is obviously a EU compliance model as 9kWHr is the minimum for the EU inner city standards, if they wanted to make it sensible for the US market it would be 16kWHr as that is where you get the maximum federal tax credit and once you have the electronics to handle 9kWHrs 16 worth of batteries isn't that much more expensive.

 

[thebonafortuna]

swholliday[/url]":2y8t140i]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":2y8t140i]

rick*d[/url]":2y8t140i]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":2y8t140i]What kind of asshole parks their non-EV in an EV spot?

Is this a trick question? My brother-in-law owns a Leaf and he says there's a term for this - "getting ICEd".

You should have your brother-in-law google "getting iced".

When did "getting iced" change to refer to a drinking game?!? Last I recall, it was what you got when you pissed off the mafia.

It's no game. I'm not sure which scenario is less pleasant, but can attest that getting iced a couple times in one evening is likely to have you wishing for a visit from the mafia...

 

[rick*d]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":2f4k5sh4]

rick*d[/url]":2f4k5sh4]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":2f4k5sh4]What kind of asshole parks their non-EV in an EV spot?

Is this a trick question? My brother-in-law owns a Leaf and he says there's a term for this - "getting ICEd".

You should have your brother-in-law google "getting iced"..

I guess I just always try to hold out hope for society - otherwise I'd be bitter all the time.. I just don't personally know these types of people - what went so wrong in their life to make them a giant piece of shit? Ugh, I really hate people some days..

Wow. Really? You don't see the irony in your own statement?

What went so wrong in your life to make you really hate people some days?

 

[qzak]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":2rnc3zs5]What kind of asshole parks their non-EV in an EV spot?

What's funny is that at my apartment building, which has 2 chargers, the only cars I've ever seen parked in the charging spots - which are nicely located near the elevators - are regular hybrids. Blocking the chargers. Now THAT blows my mind.

 

[Stuka87]

I still cannot take Ars car reviews seriously. Maybe one day you guys will get there, but they are still painful to read :/

 

[jdelman]

thebonafortuna[/url]":m1ejcyv0]There are so many ways we're dehumanizing aspects of our lives today. I guess I still prefer a machine and analog connection. It kind of worries me that BMW is now actively designing cars that take the excitement out of driving. And that goes across their entire line.

I don't think that's BMW's goal, even if it is the end result in a lot of their newer cars. And it's all relative, some newer BMWs might not be as exciting as older models, but for someone that's only driven a Camry for 10 years, I bet jumping into a new 328i would be pretty thrilling.

With the big increase in different models BMW has come up with in the last 15 or so years, it feels to me more that the brand as a whole has been diluted. They still make good cars, but if you want that quintessential BMW driving experience, you're looking at only a small selection of their whole lineup, and you'll still need to add on a package or two. My last car was a 1-series, I currently have a 2-series, both with manual transmissions, and they've been incredibly fun cars to drive. But it's true that I'm no longer the kind of driver that BMW markets to, I feel like I'm a dying breed at times. Although, I can't stop drooling over that new M2...

 

[maxp0wer]

rick*d[/url]":31znj54i]Did driving one for a week give you any insight into one of modern man's greatest mysteries?

Does owning a BMW make you a jerk, or do only jerks buy BMWs?

I recently traded my Subaru for a BMW. I don't think I've changed, but other drivers seem more aggressive towards me. People are tail-gating me more, cutting me off, and seem to make presumptions about what kind of person or driver I am. I'm not wealthy (another presumption some people make,) and my car is a 2013 model. I just wanted something a little sportier. So who's the jerk?

 

[vnangia]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":26r8nrig]What kind of asshole parks their non-EV in an EV spot?

Lots and lots of drivers here in DC. I did see the perfect response though - a Leaf driver I see often here in NoVA will block 'em in and attach the charging cable and walk away. First time I saw it, I applauded.

Jonathan, as an FYI, CCDC will happily tow ICEs blocking your charger, if you'd like. Go press the assistance button on the pillars near the elevators and they'll send a tow truck PDQ.

 

[Dr Gitlin]

vnangia[/url]":2p58jcj7]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":2p58jcj7]What kind of asshole parks their non-EV in an EV spot?

Lots and lots of drivers here in DC. I did see the perfect response though - a Leaf driver I see often here in NoVA will block 'em in and attach the charging cable and walk away. First time I saw it, I applauded.

Jonathan, as an FYI, CCDC will happily tow ICEs blocking your charger, if you'd like. Go press the assistance button on the pillars near the elevators and they'll send a tow truck PDQ.

Good to know, thanks. When I told one of the attendants there he didn't seem to give a shit.

 

[MailDeadDrop]

qzak[/url]":1so762v8]

JiveTurkeyJerky[/url]":1so762v8]What kind of asshole parks their non-EV in an EV spot?

What's funny is that at my apartment building, which has 2 chargers, the only cars I've ever seen parked in the charging spots - which are nicely located near the elevators - are regular hybrids. Blocking the chargers. Now THAT blows my mind.

I bolded the problem. "Special services" spaces should be placed in otherwise inconvenient areas so that the special service isn't blocked by someone taking (justifiable) advantage of the convenience of the space.

 

[tuna_1]

Jonathan, we would all be VERY interested to see the real-world economy of some of these HUGE cars powered by tiny 4 cylinder engines. This BMW X5 or the new Volvo XC90 are perfect examples. Its actually a very interesting and debatable engineering question that people on the online forums argue about:

In a heavy car, can I tiny 4 cylinder turbocharged engine deliver appreciably better fuel economy than a larger engine that wouldn't have to maintain as rich of a fuel mixture to get the same acceleration and speed?

Basically, the theory as to why a turbocharged 4 cylinder engines are more efficient to drive the same car than a larger engine is that the 4 cylinder will have lower thermodynamic losses to internal friction, internal aerodynamic drag, and of course the engine itself is lighter and smaller.

The COUNTERargument is that, especially in the case of heavier cars where a non-turbo 4 cylinder wouldnt be sufficient to move it at reasonable accelerations and speeds, in order to make even regular day-to-day-use power, the turbocharged engine will have to operate at a very rich fuel mixture. A rich fuel mixture is where the engine pumps more gasoline into the engine than there is oxygen to combust it with, and essentially boils off that gasoline uncombusted, for the purpose of slowing down the combustion that is taking place so that it doesn't combust too fast and damage the engine. It is essentially consuming fuel to slow down combustion rather than using that fuel towards producing engine power.

Some people believe that a turbo 4 in something as big and heavy as a BMW X5 should actually get worse real world fuel economy than a properly scaled turbo 6 that wouldn't have to run at highly pressurized and consequentially highly rich fuel mixtures for regular use.

Cars without hybrid systems are an even better comparison. If well implemented the hybrid system should be able to overcome these factors (supposing that they're even real).

 

[Dr Gitlin]

tuna_1[/url]":25sb92vw]Jonathan, we would all be VERY interested to see the real-world economy of some of these HUGE cars powered by tiny 4 cylinder engines. This BMW X5 or the new Volvo XC90 are perfect examples. Its actually a very interesting and debatable engineering question that people on the online forums argue about:

In a heavy car, can I tiny 4 cylinder turbocharged engine deliver appreciably better fuel economy than a larger engine that wouldn't have to maintain as rich of a fuel mixture to get the same acceleration and speed?

Basically, the theory as to why a turbocharged 4 cylinder engines are more efficient to drive the same car than a larger engine is that the 4 cylinder will have lower thermodynamic losses to internal friction, internal aerodynamic drag, and of course the engine itself is lighter and smaller.

The COUNTERargument is that, especially in the case of heavier cars where a non-turbo 4 cylinder wouldnt be sufficient to move it at reasonable accelerations and speeds, in order to make even regular day-to-day-use power, the turbocharged engine will have to operate at a very rich fuel mixture. A rich fuel mixture is where the engine pumps more gasoline into the engine than there is oxygen to combust it with, and essentially boils off that gasoline uncombusted, for the purpose of slowing down the combustion that is taking place so that it doesn't combust too fast and damage the engine. It is essentially consuming fuel to slow down combustion rather than using that fuel towards producing engine power.

Some people believe that a turbo 4 in something as big and heavy as a BMW X5 should actually get worse real world fuel economy than a properly scaled turbo 6 that wouldn't have to run at highly pressurized and consequentially highly rich fuel mixtures for regular use.

Cars without hybrid systems are an even better comparison. If well implemented the hybrid system should be able to overcome these factors (supposing that they're even real).

We should have a review of the XC90 T8 in a few weeks, still waiting to hear exactly when we're getting that one. If people have requests for other cars we should try and test, by all means let me know.

 

[afidel]

tuna_1[/url]":3ebfjx33]Jonathan, we would all be VERY interested to see the real-world economy of some of these HUGE cars powered by tiny 4 cylinder engines. This BMW X5 or the new Volvo XC90 are perfect examples. Its actually a very interesting and debatable engineering question that people on the online forums argue about:

In a heavy car, can I tiny 4 cylinder turbocharged engine deliver appreciably better fuel economy than a larger engine that wouldn't have to maintain as rich of a fuel mixture to get the same acceleration and speed?

Basically, the theory as to why a turbocharged 4 cylinder engines are more efficient to drive the same car than a larger engine is that the 4 cylinder will have lower thermodynamic losses to internal friction, internal aerodynamic drag, and of course the engine itself is lighter and smaller.

The COUNTERargument is that, especially in the case of heavier cars where a non-turbo 4 cylinder wouldnt be sufficient to move it at reasonable accelerations and speeds, in order to make even regular day-to-day-use power, the turbocharged engine will have to operate at a very rich fuel mixture. A rich fuel mixture is where the engine pumps more gasoline into the engine than there is oxygen to combust it with, and essentially boils off that gasoline uncombusted, for the purpose of slowing down the combustion that is taking place so that it doesn't combust too fast and damage the engine. It is essentially consuming fuel to slow down combustion rather than using that fuel towards producing engine power.

Some people believe that a turbo 4 in something as big and heavy as a BMW X5 should actually get worse real world fuel economy than a properly scaled turbo 6 that wouldn't have to run at highly pressurized and consequentially highly rich fuel mixtures for regular use.

Cars without hybrid systems are an even better comparison. If well implemented the hybrid system should be able to overcome these factors (supposing that they're even real).

Unless you're cruising over 70 MPH or accelerating like some crazy person even a 2.5 ton vehicle like the X5 doesn't require that much horsepower, the EU version of the X5 is regularly sold with the 135kw 30d which is only 181 HP. 181 HP is doable with a 2L NA engine (heck the Honda F20C manages 240 HP from 2L)

 

[tuna_1]

I don't think that Diesel cycle engines have quite an analogous "rich fuel mixture" situation. I don't think diesels have to waste extra fuel in just because they're being pressurized. Or the phenomenon isn't as strong at least. Plus diesels produce more torque at lower outputs.

afidel[/url]":3fespcs6]

tuna_1[/url]":3fespcs6]Jonathan, we would all be VERY interested to see the real-world economy of some of these HUGE cars powered by tiny 4 cylinder engines. This BMW X5 or the new Volvo XC90 are perfect examples. Its actually a very interesting and debatable engineering question that people on the online forums argue about:

In a heavy car, can I tiny 4 cylinder turbocharged engine deliver appreciably better fuel economy than a larger engine that wouldn't have to maintain as rich of a fuel mixture to get the same acceleration and speed?

Basically, the theory as to why a turbocharged 4 cylinder engines are more efficient to drive the same car than a larger engine is that the 4 cylinder will have lower thermodynamic losses to internal friction, internal aerodynamic drag, and of course the engine itself is lighter and smaller.

The COUNTERargument is that, especially in the case of heavier cars where a non-turbo 4 cylinder wouldnt be sufficient to move it at reasonable accelerations and speeds, in order to make even regular day-to-day-use power, the turbocharged engine will have to operate at a very rich fuel mixture. A rich fuel mixture is where the engine pumps more gasoline into the engine than there is oxygen to combust it with, and essentially boils off that gasoline uncombusted, for the purpose of slowing down the combustion that is taking place so that it doesn't combust too fast and damage the engine. It is essentially consuming fuel to slow down combustion rather than using that fuel towards producing engine power.

Some people believe that a turbo 4 in something as big and heavy as a BMW X5 should actually get worse real world fuel economy than a properly scaled turbo 6 that wouldn't have to run at highly pressurized and consequentially highly rich fuel mixtures for regular use.

Cars without hybrid systems are an even better comparison. If well implemented the hybrid system should be able to overcome these factors (supposing that they're even real).

Unless you're cruising over 70 MPH or accelerating like some crazy person even a 2.5 ton vehicle like the X5 doesn't require that much horsepower, the EU version of the X5 is regularly sold with the 135kw 30d which is only 181 HP.

 

[vegasdave2k]

thebonafortuna[/url]":13k5egss]
Personally, I think it's really smart that some car companies are taking a "let's use hybrid technology to boost the performance of our existing vehicles" approach to car making, as opposed to only designing electric cars.

Agreed. It's a stepping stone to viable, affordable electric vehicles.

I have a brand new, 2016 X3, and there's several features I've been impressed with in this regard. It has a secondary battery in the rear to capture energy from braking. It has the "ECO Pro" mode, as seen in the review's X5 and the "stop-start" tech. I'm getting, on average, a few less MPG than my 15-year-old Civic that I upgraded from.

 

[Sparrow1]

Love the PHEV concept, but my concern is the battery life. How many cycles can it take? The way I would want to use a PHEV is just like how the Volt is designed. Run on the battery first and then switch to gas when the battery is low. I could go weeks without ever using the engine.

 

[BMWTech]

vegasdave2k[/url]":2jrog8pt]

thebonafortuna[/url]":2jrog8pt]
Personally, I think it's really smart that some car companies are taking a "let's use hybrid technology to boost the performance of our existing vehicles" approach to car making, as opposed to only designing electric cars.

Agreed. It's a stepping stone to viable, affordable electric vehicles.

I have a brand new, 2016 X3, and there's several features I've been impressed with in this regard. It has a secondary battery in the rear to capture energy from braking. It has the "ECO Pro" mode, as seen in the review's X5 and the "stop-start" tech. I'm getting, on average, a few less MPG than my 15-year-old Civic that I upgraded from.

BMW has been doing this for 10 years now. Even on regular gas cars the battery is only kept around 80% charged. When coasting or braking the alternator output is increased to provide extra energy to the battery (essentially giving extra engine braking and capturing that energy in the battery). When accelerating the alternator is doing almost nothing and the vehicle accessories are run straight from the battery only.

If you hook a voltmeter to your BMW and monitor the voltage while driving you'll see it fluctuate between a high of perhaps 15V down to 12V (or less depending on load). This fools a lot of independent mechanics who see this change in voltage as a fault and therefore think the alternator needs replacing (when it's actually operating how it's supposed to).

BTW, the extra batteries in BMW's aren't for capturing energy. They are for the electric power steering (to give 24V when extra turning power is needed, like parking) or for the new electric sway bars that replaced the hydraulic ones for active roll stabilization.

 

[Zak]

iolinux333[/url]":2rvl6xkm]Lots of extra bits combined with the extreme unreliability of BMW? What's not to love!

And ugly to boot.