Yahoo Autos 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e PHEV First Drive Review | Better Bimmer with a bigger battery
Although full electric cars and internal-combustion engines with mild electric assist are becoming more common, plug-in hybrids, particularly with usable range, are still fairly uncommon. This is especially evident in the luxury market where the 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e competes. It’s really only directly comparable to a couple of crossovers. But among this small set, it’s the most usable hybrid and the best value, even if it’s not a standout elsewhere.
For 2021, BMW made big improvements to the hybrid powertrain, adding power and battery capacity. The old 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is gone in favor of a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six (the eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive remain). The same 111-horsepower electric motor is used, but the bigger engine helps bring total output up to 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet, compared to the 308 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of the last model. The increased output also shaves the 0-60 mph time from 6.5 seconds to 5.3. Those are noteworthy improvements, but the X5 remains less powerful than its plug-in-hybrid competitors, the 400-horsepower Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge, the 455-horsepower Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid and the 494-horsepower Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring.
More importantly, at least for the hybrid aspect of the BMW, is that its battery capacity of 24 kWh has been more than doubled. Electric range is subsequently now 30 miles, 16 more than before. That tops the Lincoln at 21 miles, the Volvo at 18 miles and the Porsche at just 17 miles. With that being said, the XC90, Aviator and Cayenne are more efficient after the battery is drained than the BMW. The Volvo manages 27 mpg combined, the Lincoln 23, the Cayenne 21, and the BMW 20.
As is typical for BMWs, the powertrain is generally excellent, which is a big benefit for it as a hybrid. It’s nearly imperceptible when the engine kicks on because of how smooth and quiet it is. No matter how hard you drive it, you won’t hear anything more than a muted and sophisticated growl. You’ll be tempted to drive it hard, too, since this X5 launches with authority thanks to the instantly available electric torque, although the throttle is slightly jumpy. There's plenty of power through most of the power band, and the transmission is one of the quickest and smoothest on the market. It’s even fun to shift it manually.
As in other BMWs, there are specific drive modes including Sport, Hybrid and Electric. The Sport mode offers the most aggressive throttle settings and prioritizes power over efficiency. The hybrid modes shift that priority to efficiency and comfort, and either works great depending on whether you’re feeling frisky or frugal.
As for the electric mode, it’s unsurprisingly the smoothest and quietest mode. And around town, it feels spunky, but it doesn’t take long to realize that you’re not working with much power. It’s especially evident if you’re trying to get up an on-ramp on electric power alone, where you’ll be foot to the floor the entire time (unlike other plug-in hybrids, when in full EV mode, the engine will not jump in to lend a helping hand). The BMW is capable of achieving highway speeds under electric power alone. In fact, the top speed in EV mode has increased from 75 mph to 84. Once at speed, it cruises easily and feels responsive enough for merging and relaxed passing. The mode is only available as long as there’s enough charge, after which point the car will automatically swtich to hybrid mode. There are also options to begin charging the battery while the gas engine is on, or to preserve the charge to use later, for instance, if you’re going to be driving around town at the end of a long highway drive. There’s even the ability to select how much charge you want to hold or add back while driving.
