BMW X5 (G05) review: the large SUV Bahrain's BMW buyers actually want
motorssouq Editorial Team
The xDrive40i is the grade to buy: the facelifted 380 hp inline-six has enough performance that the M60i's V8 becomes a want rather than a need, and the standard xDrive plus adaptive air suspension handle everything from causeway expansion joints to the occasional desert weekend without drama. Tick the third-row option if you regularly carry more than five, and budget realistically for BMW dealer servicing once the warranty ends; this is not a cheap car to run out of pocket.
Pros
- 380 hp post-facelift inline-six closes much of the gap to the V8 M60i
- Adaptive air suspension handles both causeway cruising and sand tracks well
- Optional third-row bench adds genuine family flexibility
- Generous cargo space for GCC road trips
- Drives noticeably smaller than its footprint suggests
Cons
- Servicing sits firmly in BMW's most expensive tier
- Air-suspension and electronics faults are best handled by the dealer
- Third-row seat is tight for adults on longer trips
- 2.1-tonne kerb weight is felt under hard braking despite the strong engine
The X5 has been BMW's most important SUV in the Gulf for two decades, and the G05 generation earns that position on ability rather than just badge inertia. The 2023 facelift brought a bump to 380 hp for the standard xDrive40i inline-six, closing much of the gap to the M60i V8 for most buyers who do not need outright straight-line pace.
On the road and off it
Adaptive air suspension is standard on Gulf-spec cars, and it does the two jobs Bahrain demands: it keeps the body flat and composed on the King Fahd Causeway's higher-speed sections, and it can be raised for the loose sand tracks that plenty of X5 owners still use it for on weekends. Few large SUVs in this price range manage both jobs this convincingly.
The optional third-row bench is worth ticking for families; it is usable for children on shorter trips even if adults will find it tight, and cargo space behind the second row remains generous for GCC road-trip luggage.
Cost of ownership
Fuel consumption around 10 L/100 km in mixed use is honest for a 2.1-tonne SUV with this much performance, and Bahrain's air conditioning demands do not move the number much thanks to the mild-hybrid assist. Servicing costs are firmly in BMW's premium tier, and while independent specialists handle routine work competently, air-suspension and electronics faults are best left to the dealer, especially once the warranty lapses.