When it comes to hybrids, car makers are still focused mainly on small hatchbacks, which doesn’t make much sense, because those cars are not really gas guzzlers. If there is one type of car for which a hybrid powertrain makes sense it’s the SUV. Realizing that, BMW is now joining Porsche to offer a hybrid version of its flagship SUV, the X5.
The 2016 BMW X5 Hybrid, or xDrive40e as it’s officially called, promises a lot of good things: 313hp and 450Nm power output, average fuel consumption of 85.6mpg, electricity consumption of 15.3kWh and CO2 rating of 77g/km. But as the world learned with the i8 hybrid, not all of those figures are attainable by the average user in the real world.
Still, BMW X5 xDrive40e is one of the cleanest and most efficient SUVs out there. The car is powered by a hybrid system consisting of 245hp and 350Nm of torque petrol engine and a 113hp and 250Nm. Performance-wise, the X5 Hybrid can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph (around 200 km/h).
The electric motor integrated into the car’s 8-speed Steptronic transmission can be charged via any household outlet, or more quickly from the BMW i Wallbox. The driver can switch to the all-electric drive mode setting MAX eDrive, designed for comfortable driving with zero local emissions, offering a maximum range of approximately 19 miles at a limited top speed of 75mph.
Weighing 2,230 kg, BMW X5 hybrid is capable of carrying five adults in utmost comfort and offers 500 to 1,720 litres of luggage space. Visually, the car is distinguished mainly by the charging socket, its twin-tailpipe design with trapezoidal tips, and subtle blue accents.