The BMW X5 and X6 SUVs have been updated for 2023 to keep the cars competitive against rejuvenated rivals like the updated Mercedes GLE and GLE Coupe. The X5 and X6 get updated looks, new equipment, improved infotainment and a revised engine range.
2023 BMW X5/X6: styling and exterior design
The updated BMW X5 gets new styling that keeps the car’s looks in line with newer models.
Up front, that means you get a revised grille design which is flanked by slim headlights – complete with arrow-shaped daytime running lights – that emphasise the size of the grille. And, if that’s not imposing enough, you can opt to have it illuminated as part of the M Sport Pro pack, which comes with BMW’s Iconic Glow illumination. Below, you’ll find a new lower bumper and revised air breathers that sit ahead of the front wheel and help improve aerodynamics.
Around the sides, you get new wheel designs, and the car’s sills have chrome highlights. Satin Aluminium roof bars also come as standard on all models. Meanwhile, the back gets a similar touch-up to the front, with a new bumper design and revised tail lights, with fibre optic elements.
X6 models get similar tweaks – including the optional light-up grille – but on a sportier coupe-come-SUV body shape. However, the X6 looks a tad sportier than the X5, with standard M Sport side skirts and glossy black exterior highlights in place of the X5’s chrome finish.
The X5 M60i and X6 M60i performance models get altogether sportier look thanks to a body kit that includes aggressive front and rear bumpers, quad tailpipes, M Sport badges and a boot-mounted spoiler. M60i models can also be ordered in model-specific M Marina Bay Blue and Isle of Man Green Metallic paint.
2023 BMW X5/X6: interior design
Bigger changes have been made on the inside where the X5 and X6 get BMW’s latest curved infotainment screen which is formed from a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel that flows into a 14.9-inch infotainment display to form one huge screen.
BMW has smartened up the rest of the dashboard with new slim-line air vents and a neater centre console finished in padded ‘Sensafin’ - also known as man-made leather - while there’s also a new gear selector, surrounded by additional touch-sensitive buttons.
New equipment has also been added with all models getting the Comfort Pack as standard. It adds a heated steering wheel, heated front and middle-row seats, and heated armrests for the front-seat passengers.
Options include BMW’s illuminating Sky Lounge panoramic sunroof and two choices of upgraded stereo – a 16-speaker, 415W Harman Kardon stereo or a 1500W Bowers & Wilkins system with 20 speakers.
2023 BMW X5/X6: engines and performance
BMW has updated the X5 and X6 engine range with all conventional (non-PHEV) models coming as standard with 48V mild-hybrid technology for improved fuel economy.
However, the headline act is the new X5 50e plug-in hybrid that replaces the outgoing 45e. As before it uses a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol engine boosted by an electric motor, but power has increased by 96hp – for 490hp in total – meaning BMW’s behemoth can hurtle from 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds. The car’s pure-electric range has increased from 54 to up to 68 miles – thanks to a 25.7kWh battery that is almost 25% bigger than the old model’s – and charging speeds have also doubled to 7.4kW.
Along with the new PHEV, there’s also a new performance variant, the M60. Based on the same 4.4-litre turbocharged engine fitted to the M50, the M60 gets 48V mild-hybrid technology for improved efficiency. Disappointingly, despite a new oil cooler, exhaust manifold and revised turbochargers, power stays the same at 530hp, enough to get both the X5 and X6 from 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds.
The foundations of the engine range have also been enhanced. The xDrive 40i 3.0-litre petrol (only offered on the X6) has seen power increase by 47hp to 380hp in total. It now gets from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds, down from 5.8 seconds. The 298hp 30d 3.0-litre diesel, meanwhile, which is available in the X5 and X6, gets new steel pistons for improved efficiency.
2023 BMW X5/X6: price and release date
The new BMW X5 and X6 are available to order now, with prices starting from £66.230 for the new X5, while the X6 starts from £74,230. First deliveries are expected in April.