Round 2: The 2025 BMW X5 M Competition

Regular readers may remember that I reviewed a 2024 BMW X5 M Competition just a little over a year ago.

So what's new? Not much.

But be honest. If you wrote about cars for (part of) a living, and BMW offered you a second week in a high-powered family SUV that does a very convincing imitation of a sport sedan, would you say no?

Didn't think so.

That's a 4.4-liter twin-turbo 32-valve V8. 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed M Sport automatic transmission with DriveLogic and launch control. Zero to 60 takes 3.7 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy average is 15 mpg city/highway.

As I said last year, there's significant hardware invested in keeping that power under control and bringing the vehicle to a stop. Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, an M-tuned xDrive all-wheel-drive system, M Compound four-wheel ventilated anti-lock brakes with cross-drilled rotors and Dynamic Brake Control, Adaptive M Professional with Active Roll Stabilization, and an M Sport differential, as well as an M Sport exhaust system and 21"/22" M light alloy wheels.

Even though I'd driven one just a bit over a year ago, there's no "Oh, this again" boredom factor. This is a BMW M car---just with a dose of practicality for everyday life.

Call it the "reverse mullet" (just not in front of BMW)---the party's in front and the business is in the back. Thirty-three-point-nine cubic feet of cargo space. Seventy-two-point-nine with the rear seats folded down.

The base price of the 2025 BMW X5 M Competition is $124,800 ($125,975 with destination). The tariff picture remains unclear as I write this. While the X5 M Competition is adssembled in Spartanburg, South Carolina, 68% of its parts come from outside North America. The price at your dealer could be higher (or not) by the time you read this.

What that money buys you is a huge list of standard feature content, including a comprehensive suite of active safety features, remote engine start, an M Sport exhaust system, 21-and-22 inch M star-spoke bi-color wheels, M Compound four-wheel ventilated antilock brakes with cross-drilled rotors, Adaptive M Suspension Professional with active roll stabilization, M quad tailpipes, power-folding heated side mirrors, a heated, leather-wrapped M Sport steering wheel, panoramic moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, remote engine start, roof rails, M Shadowline lights, M compound brakes with red calipers, keyless entry, M seat belts, heated front seats and armrests, multi-function front seats with lumbar, carbon fiber trim, four-zone automatic control, full LED lights with cornering, wireless device charging, a 5G wi-fi hotspot, a Harman Kardon surround audio system, Live Cockpit Pro, gesture control, a one-year trial of SiriusXM satellite radio with 360L, extended Shadowline trim, and an anthracite Alcantara headliner.

As impressive as that is, BMW always finds a way to tempt you with extra-cost options. Our vehicle had $3,500 in black full Merino upholstery, $1,700 for Driving Assistance Professional (active cruise control with stop, active driving assistant pro, lane-keeping assistant, traffic jam assistant), $3,100 for the Executive Package (front and rear heated seats, front massaging seats, front ventilated seats, heated and cooled cupholders, a panoramic Sky Lounge LED roof, rear manual window shade and soft-close automatic doors), $3,400 for a Bowers & Wilkins surround sound audio system, and $2,500 for the M Driver's Package (unlocking a bit more horsepower under the hood and giving you a voucher for a BMW-sanctioned race track experience).

All told, the as-tested price for the 2025 BMW X5 M Competition was $140,175. That's lower than the one we drove last year, despite an overall price increase, because the '24's Boston Green metallic paint was a $5,000 option while this year's Marina Bay Blue metallic is available at no charge.

When performance marques like BMW first started building SUVs, it was seen as the first step down a slippery slope. The 2025 BMW X5 M Competition proves that performance and practicality are not mutually exclusive.