2019 BMW X5 Debuts With Lots Of Cutting-Edge Tech

They call it “The Boss.” In November BMW will start selling the newly designed 2019 BMW X5, the fourth generation of the well-known nameplate packs even more technology than ever before, all inside an SUV body that has grown slightly in every dimension. The new X5 is 1.1 inches longer (194.3 inches); it rides on a 117.1-inch wheelbase, which grew 1.6 inches; and it’s 2.6 inches wider and slightly lower. Curb weight is roughly the same.

The big news is that the X5 moves to the CLAR architecture for a better ride and more tech. It joins the 7 Series, X3, X4, and new X7; the X6 will also migrate over to CLAR. LED lighting is standard front and rear, the exact exterior trim varies depending on how you spec your X5, too: the base xLine wears matte-aluminum trim and roof rails, whereas the M Sport model has more body-color elements with gloss-black trim features. Driving is also easier with standard driver assistance features like blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, front and rear collision warnings, pedestrian monitoring, and city collision mitigation. The optional Active Driving Assistant Professional adds traffic jam assist, lane keeping assist, automatic lane changing, and collision evasion aid with steering assist.


Everything about the interior design of the 2019 BMW X5 is far fresher, too. The shifter is new, this time in Swarovski crystal and crystals in the 7.0 iDrive controller dial. Two 12.3-inch screens are standard. The gauges have been brought into the modern era, with the round shapes being replaced by these C-shapes, the cabin is filled with ambient and contour lights, you can cool your beverage in the cupholders, and there’s an optional panoramic roof with lights imbedded into the glass to look like stars. Optional trim includes a new Vernasca leather variant, as well as BMW’s familiar Merino leather. Heated seats are standard, with massaging and cooling options available as an option.

At launch, the U.S. gets the xDrive40i with a 3.0-liter turbocharged I-6 (335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque) and the xDrive50i with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 (456 hp and 479 lb-ft). Both have an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. For Europe there are two 3.0-liter turbodiesel I-6s; one will come to the U.S. next year as the xDrive35d. There’s no word on pricing, other than that it will be announced closer to when the vehicle hits the market in November.