The BMW X5 was overhauled recently and we truly love the latest generation of BMW’s mid-sized SUV. However, at Rs 82.9 lakh for the xLine variant, the starting price point for the X5 lineup was fairly high. Especially when compared to the entry-level variant of the Mercedes-Benz GLE which starts at Rs 73.7 lakh.Now though, for the new SportX trim, BMW has shaved off Rs 8 lakh off the xLine’s price! This should make the X5 a lot more competitive than before. It does lose out on some features to the higher spec xLine and M Sport trims but none of those omissions can be considered deal breakers.
So what’s changed? Well, BMW has smartly removed some of the flashy, over the top features and kept most of what we know and love about the X5. For starters, it misses out on the BMW Laserlight headlights, getting standard LED units instead. The fancy glass gear lever is gone, as is the Harmon Kardon sound system, wireless charging and 360-degree camera. In terms of mechanical changes, the air suspension has made way for standard adaptive suspension and the ‘Steptronic Sport’ automatic transmission is replaced by a standard Steptronic automatic transmission. It also misses out on paddle shifters and launch control. The SportX variant rides on smaller 19-inch wheels as opposed to 20-inch ones on the other variants. However, the SportX retains so much that we love about the X5 — the panoramic glass roof, four-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay, gesture control, ambient lighting, digital instrument cluster and it gets all of the safety kit that the xLine and M Sport variants get. The SportX also gets the same three-litre six-cylinder diesel engine as the xLine variant, producing 261bhp and 620Nm of torque. So, the SportX has the exact same claimed 0 to 100kmph time of 6.5 seconds as the xLine variant.
The entry-level X5 offers enough kit to compete with the Mercedes-Benz GLE which starts at Rs 73.7 lakh and the Range Rover Sport which starts at Rs 87.02 lakh, although it will be interesting to see how the comfort and driving dynamics have been affected by the change in suspension. At Rs 74.9 lakh, the X5 SportX makes a great case for itself. Yes, it misses out on some features, but a lot of the stuff you need is still there, and more.