2020 BMW X5 M Review

BMW launched last year's fourth-generation X5 in two flavors: the base xDrive40i (with a turbocharged inline-six) and the more powerful xDrive50i, driven by a torque-rich twin-turbo V8. A high-octane M50i was released this year, bumping the V8's output to 523 horsepower and adding the requisite handling upgrades to turn it into a true performance machine.

But, as always, there are even greater levels of performance awaiting those willing to pay for the privilege. Under the hood of the new 2020 BMW X5 M is the same fire-breathing V8 as before, this time juiced to 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 33 hp over the previous X5 M, and BMW says that, plus a wider torque band, translates to a drop in the 0-60 mph time from 4 to 3.8 seconds.

If that simply isn't quick enough, a new Competition package massages the engine to 617 hp and drops the sprint to 3.7 seconds. If true, that would make the X5 M with the Competition package run almost neck and neck with the extreme Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid.

The X5 M has a host of hidden-from-view enhancements to cope with the increased performance. The engine mounts are stiffer, while strut braces help control body flex. BMW has also installed extra cooling capacity for the engine and transmission. As with the M50i, an electronically controlled M Sport differential helps keep the power on the ground, and an adaptive suspension allows the driver to select between comfort- and sport-oriented ride settings.

Visible upgrades start with larger air intakes, a rear diffuser, more pronounced wheel arches, black-colored trim, and the typical allotment of M badges. The revised exhaust system features quad tailpipes and adaptive settings to quiet or augment the exhaust note. Competition models have a throatier system that enhances sound even further. Larger drilled brake discs hide behind 21-inch wheels fitted with summer performance tires (22-inch rear wheels are optional on standard X5 M models and a no-cost option with the Competition package).

Interior enhancements include body-hugging sport seats clad in leather, plus carbon-fiber trim and M accents. Every X5 M is also loaded with the most full-featured version of the iDrive infotainment system. A basic set of driver assistance technologies is standard, though some — including adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist — cost extra, even at this level. Also on the options list are massaging front seats, heated and cooled cupholders, a night vision system, and a premium Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The available M Driver's package raises the top speed from 155 mph to 177 mph and includes one voucher for BMW's East Coast or West Coast driving school.

Though the market overall is trending toward fuel-conscious transportation, there's no shortage of gas-guzzling über-SUVs. BMW's archnemesis has a high-octane SUV of its own in the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S. Its turbocharged V8 thumps out 603 horsepower.

The Porsche Cayenne also comes to mind. Though its range-topping model is a plug-in hybrid, the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is still primarily motivated by a twin-turbo V8. Between the electric motor and engine, combined output stands at a prodigious 670 hp. The non-hybrid Cayenne Turbo has less power than the X5 M but achieves similar performance.

Outside of Germany, there's also the Maserati Levante and the Land Rover Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. All three offer boisterous V8s in their top trim levels and will get you from your house to the kids' soccer field in no time at all.

It's big, it's brash, and before you know it you're going extremely fast. We drove the 2020 X5 M in its top-level 617-hp Competition guise. This year's engine produces its full amount of torque from just 1,800 rpm. Mat the gas and this 5,425-pound SUV rockets forward like a cruise missile intent on reaching some distant destination on time.

Once you approach a corner, the X5 M reacts like a much lighter and smaller vehicle. Braking power is more than adequate to help the X5 M shed speed in a hurry. More impressive is that it does so under control — there is no wiggling or wafting under deceleration, allowing the driver to properly set up for turns.

The SUV's steering and handling are equally composed. It is able to slice into corners at high speed, hitting apexes all the way, and power out while the chassis feels flat all the way through. It's not raucous in the way you'd expect anything with 617 horsepower to be. And the steering and braking feel too modern and assisted to be described as thrilling. This is measured high performance, and it allows the X5 M to carry incredible speed.

Part of the reason the X5 M can perform this way is serious hardware, and part is advanced software. The brakes are massive 15.5-inch drilled and vented discs in the front, with fixed six-piston calipers, and 14.9 inches in the rear. The tires are huge too. Competition models come with staggered 295-millimeter-wide rubber on 21-inch wheels in the front and 315 mm with 22-inch wheels at the rear. Around turns, the X5 M seems to have endless grip.

The X5 M's all-wheel-drive system normally sends its power to the rear wheels (to give you that classic rear-wheel-drive feel) and can quickly shift power to the front wheels to maximize traction when needed. The rear Active M differential can also shift torque between the rear wheels to further improve traction. 

There are selectable Comfort or Sport modes that you can use to adjust engine responsiveness, suspension tuning, steering assist and brake feel to suit a particular driving situation. There's also a Sport Plus mode meant for track duty. You can tailor your personal preferences to activate the second you press either of the bright red M1 and M2 triggers on the steering wheel, like some combination of Ironman and Mario Andretti, before you blast off into the sunset.

The X5 M combines impressive interior design with luxurious materials and eye-catching quality. The cabin features bright aluminum and soft leathers stitched in appealing patterns, and a suede-like Alcantara headliner outlines a massive panoramic sunroof overhead. Large swaths of carbon fiber stretch along the dash and inner doors. There's a bright red engine start button, a big X5 M badge on the cupholder cover, and huge infotainment, driver information and head-up display screens.

The front seats have soft quilted leather that is both cushioned and supportive. Both front seats are fully adjustable even down to the side bolsters, which can be pinched to hold you in or flattened out for comfort that still hugs in the corners.

The seats also play into BMW's new Caring Car feature, which is either fun or goofy depending on your point of view. Select one of the predetermined "moods" and the car will adapt the sound system's music, seat heating and massagers, climate control and even the sunroof to suit you. The dark and calming Chill setting felt a little too soothing for our tastes, but the Vitalize setting was a good way to break up a long drive with its upbeat tunes and open sunroof.

Can you look past tiny cupholders? Our criticisms of the X5 M are the same as those for the standard X5, which include a lack of small-item storage options to overly thick doorsills that hamper passenger entry and exit.

The X5's iDrive infotainment system is also hard to use at times. Complexity is the issue, and you struggle to figure out how to configure the complicated navigation menu or simply learn when to press, shift or rotate the dial to activate the desired command.

But for what is essentially an SUV that got a CRISPR genome editing treatment to inherit high-performance sport sedan DNA, the X5 M is quite easy to drive. Big windows and mirrors help provide clear visibility, for instance, and the rear cargo space has more than enough storage for daily demands. You can fold the rear seats flat and remove and store the cargo cover under the load floor should you need to fit a lot of luggage or other bulky items.

This is much more than an X5 with a huge engine. For a vehicle starting at $106,095 and $115,095 for the Competition, including destination, it had better make you feel special. The X5 M and X5 M Competition easily meet the mark. The interior especially seems fit for royalty — preferably, ones who like to spurt and burble their way around the courtyard. You get significant speed and performance for your dollar, plus all the functionality of the regular X5.

It's still too heavy and too digital to be a true track car, despite what BMW says, but as a truly unique package built with everything an iconic automaker could throw at it, the X5 M is easy to love.