2018 BMW X5 Price, Review, Pictures and Cars for Sale | CARHP

The 300-hp turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine is smooth and refined and has plenty of torque- Edmunds

​​​​​​2018 BMW X5 Engine and Transmission

The base 35i model is powered by a 3.0L turbo inline-6 engine that makes 300 hp and 300 lb-ft. of torque. The 50i trim comes with a 4.4L V8 engine that produces 445 hp and 480 lb-ft. of torque. Power goes to the wheels by an 8-speed automatic transmission built by ZF that is one of the best in the business. AWD is standard in the 50i and optional in the 35i while RWD being the standard drivetrain. 

2018 BMW X5 engine

The throttle response is a lot punchier and the power delivery is really good. The automatic transmission holds the gears a little longer than you might want when in Sport or Sport+ mode. But thankfully, the X5 is fitted with paddle shifters if you feel like rowing through your gears yourself. The optional sports exhaust adds a nice and raspy snarl to the exhaust when you get to the throttle. 

Model
2018 BMW X5
2018 Audi Q7
2018 Volvo XC90
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

MSRP
$ 57,200
$ 56,400
$54,350
$ 52,200

Engine
3.0L Turbo Inline-6
3.0L Supercharged V6
2.0L Turbo Inline-4
3.5L V6

Drivetrain
RWD
AWD
AWD
RWD

Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
7-Speed Automatic

Power
300 hp @ 5,800 RPM
333 hp @ 5,500 RPM
316 hp @ 5,700 RPM
302 hp @ 6,500 RPM

Torque
300 lb-ft. @ 1,200 RPM
325 lb-ft. @ 2,900 RPM
295 lb-ft. @ 2,200 rpm
273 lb-ft. @ 3,500 RPM

The Audi Q7 makes the most power in this competition and is uses a supercharger which means no lag in power. Like the Q7, the Volvo XC90 also comes standard with an AWD system but it houses the smallest engine in this competition. The cheapest Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class uses a naturally aspirated engine for immediate throttle response. 

2018 BMW X5 Acceleration

The BMW X5 is surprisingly fast despite being bulky. It can accelerate from 0-60 MPH in about 6.2 seconds which is the quickest in this class. Stick your foot to the pedal for a longer time and the quarter-mile test is completed in 14.8 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 135 MPH. If these numbers are surprising you, wait for the 50i model. 

2018 BMW X5 takes 6.2 sec to reach 60 MPH

With 440 horses on tap, it can do the same in just 4.7 seconds. The base engine has plenty of low-end torque. All that power kicks in at 1,200 RPM. So off the line, there is plenty of power and not a whole lot of turbo lag. The 8-speed automatic’s quick and slick shifts help to achieve good acceleration and it also downshifts properly when needed. 

Model
2018 BMW X5
2018 Audi Q7
2018 Volvo XC90
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

0-60 MPH
6.2 sec
6.6 sec
6.7 sec
7.0 sec

Quarter Mile
14.8 sec
14.9 sec
15.1 sec
15.3 sec

Engine
3.0L
3.0L
2.0L
3.5L

Top Speed
135 MPH
135 MPH
130 MPH
135 MPH

The X5 stays on the top of the table while the similarly weighted Volvo XC90 does not offer impressive acceleration. Because its engine is tuned for comfort rather than being sporty. The Audi Q7’s acceleration decent and the extra 33 horses help it to keep up with the X5 in the long run. 

2018 BMW X5 Riding and Handling

The BMW X5 has one of the best road manners in this segment. It handles pretty nicely on twisty roads and there is very little noticeable body roll when you throw it into a corner. The optional Dynamic Handling package improves the driving experience and makes the X5 feel more athletic around sharp bends. 

2018 BMW X5 three-quarter view

There is not a whole lot of feedback in the X5’s steering but there is plenty of turn-in response and it makes the X5 feel a lot smaller than it is. When it comes to ride quality, the X5 is a little on the cushy side even on the Sport mode which is a good thing. The suspension is not too soft but absorbs all the bumps one road nicely. 

2018 BMW X5 Braking

The BMW X5 is called an ultimate driving machine not just because of its acceleration but also for its braking performance. At the front, 13.7-inch ventilated disc brakes are fitted whereas smaller 12.6-inch ventilated disc brakes are found at the rear wheels. When trying to stop from 60-0 MPH, the X5 takes 113 feet. 

2018 BMW X5 brakes

The brakes are very responsive and have got great stopping power. The brake pedal is a bit firm that the pedal travel is short which is really good. On repeated use, the brakes do not fade. The X5 als comes with some braking technologies such as automatic emergency braking to reduce the stopping distance at times of emergencies. 

Model
2018 BMW X5
2018 Audi Q7
2018 Volvo XC90
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Brake Front
13.7 in
14.8 in 
13.2 in
13.8 in 

Brake Rear
12.6 in
13.8 in
12.1 in
13.0 in

Curb Weight
4,625 lbs
4,938 lbs
4,627 lbs
4,650 lbs

60-0 MPH
113 ft.
117 ft.
118 ft.
126 ft.

Once again, the X5 is the star of the show. The  Audi Q7’s brakes are really impressive as it is the heaviest vehicle here and yet, it manages to stop at 117 feet whereas the lighter Volvo XC90 takes 118 feet, displaying average braking performance. The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has the poorest braking system and hence, takes the longest braking distance. 

2018 BMW X5 Towing Capacity

The BMW X5 has a decent towing capacity in the segment. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 5,952 pounds, which is pretty decent in its class. However, its rivals have better towing capacities. Therefore, it can easily tow a caravan or a trailer without much effort. 

Model
2018 BMW X5
2018 Audi Q7
2018 Volvo XC90
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Towing Capacity 
5,952 lbs
7,700 lbs
5,000 lbs
7,200 lbs

Here, the Audi Q7 stands out with a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds while the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is second-in-line with 7,200 pounds. The Volvo XC90 with a small engine offers the least towing capacity and therefore, the least recommended vehicle for those who tow large things regularly. 

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