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The fourth-generation X5 first launched in 2018 and received its Life Cycle Impulse facelift in 2023.

With the next-generation X5 family now on the horizon, including the electric iX5 and new X5, this is a good time to look back at why the current diesel still makes sense.

Diesel has been a major part of the G05 X5 story in Australia, accounting for 72 per cent of local G05 sales.
Around 25,000 G05 X5s have been sold in Australia since this generation arrived.

The version tested here is the BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport, priced from $139,900 before on-road costs.
The M Sport Package is a no-cost option and brings sportier exterior treatment plus adaptive M suspension hardware.

Key specs

Under the bonnet is BMW's B57 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline-six, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

With 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, total system outputs are 219kW and 670Nm.

Design

The facelifted X5 has aged well, particularly because its front end is cleaner than some of BMW's more recent designs.

You still get a large kidney grille, but it is not as confronting as some newer BMW faces, and the slim headlights help the X5 look wide and planted without feeling overdone.

Matrix LED lighting and active air flaps in the grille are also fitted.

The test car wore 22-inch black M Sport alloy wheels with Continental PremiumContact 6 tyres.
The sizing is staggered, with 275mm rubber at the front and 305mm at the rear, which gives the X5 a properly broad stance from behind.

Those wider rear tyres also explain the small black body extensions around the rear arches, which help keep the wheel-and-tyre package within the body line.

One detail that feels a bit off at this price is the lack of separate dark rear privacy tint.
On a large luxury SUV, especially one with this much rear-seat and family appeal, it feels like something that should be addressed more convincingly.

Practicality

The split tailgate remains one of the X5's best real-world features.
It is one of those details that sounds small until you use it regularly.

The upper tailgate opens electrically, while the lower section folds down to create a handy ledge.

That makes loading heavier items easier, and it also gives you somewhere to sit when parked.

Boot space is generous, with 650 litres available with the second row in place.
Fold the rear seats and that expands to 1870 litres, which gives the X5 the kind of practical load area expected of a large luxury SUV.

This is where the X5 still feels very convincing.
It is not just a premium SUV with a nice badge; it has the space and layout to work as a family car or long-distance touring vehicle.

Interior

Up front, the X5 does a good job of blending modern BMW screen tech with enough physical control to stop the cabin feeling annoying day to day.

It runs BMW's iDrive 8.5 interface, but there is still an iDrive rotary controller on the centre console, physical drive mode buttons and persistent climate controls on the display.
That balance matters, because not every basic function should require digging through menus.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are fitted, along with a digital instrument cluster and head-up display.

The test car was also fitted with a Harman Kardon sound system.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, with electric adjustment, adjustable side bolstering and under-thigh support.

They suit the X5's brief well: relaxed enough for long freeway stints, but still supportive when the road gets more interesting.

Storage is also well covered.
Up front there are cupholders, a wireless phone charger, a USB-A port, a USB-C port in the centre console and a 12-volt outlet.

The second row is one of the reasons the X5 continues to make sense as a luxury family SUV.

Rear-seat space is strong for adults, with good legroom and headroom even with the panoramic sunroof fitted.
The cabin does not feel like it has sacrificed rear passenger comfort for front-seat presentation.

Rear passengers get air vents, a third climate zone, soft-touch materials and four USB-C charging points.
That is the sort of equipment mix that matters on longer drives, especially with multiple passengers using devices.

There is also a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders and extra storage, adding to the sense that the rear row has been properly considered rather than treated as an afterthought.

Driving Impressions

The diesel six is the main reason the xDrive30d still feels so relevant.

It has the relaxed, low-down torque delivery that suits a large SUV, and the eight-speed automatic does a strong job of keeping the engine in its sweet spot without drawing attention to itself.

BMW claims a 6.1-second 0-100km/h time for the X5 xDrive30d.
In our testing, the first launch recorded 6.22 seconds, before a second run delivered a best of 5.78 seconds.

That is properly quick for a 2295kg diesel SUV, but the more important part is how easy the performance feels.
The xDrive30d does not need to be worked hard to get moving, which is exactly what you want in this kind of car.

On road, the X5 strikes a strong balance between comfort and control, even on the 22-inch wheel package fitted to the test car.
The adaptive M dampers give it a settled ride in Comfort mode, while Sport mode tightens the body control without turning it into something harsh.

The all-wheel-drive system feels rear-biased in its behaviour, which helps the X5 feel more engaging than its size suggests.
It is still a big luxury SUV, but it does not feel dull or disconnected from behind the wheel.

Fuel economy is another reason the diesel argument still stacks up here.
Freeway use dropped as low as 5.6L/100km during our time with the car, while around town the trip computer showed about 8.8L/100km.

With an 80-litre fuel tank and diesel efficiency, the X5 can also show more than 1000km of driving range.
For long-distance Australian driving, that remains a genuine strength.

The driver assistance systems were well calibrated during our drive, including adaptive cruise control, lane centring and lane-change assistance.
They add to the X5's relaxed touring character rather than constantly interrupting the drive.

Final Thoughts

The outgoing BMW X5 xDrive30d remains a strong reminder of why diesel still suits a large luxury SUV.

It is quick enough, impressively efficient on the highway, comfortable over distance and more enjoyable to drive than its size suggests.
It also has the practical foundations right, from the split tailgate and large boot to the adult-friendly second row.

The cabin works because it still gives you useful physical controls alongside the screens, and that makes the X5 feel easier to live with than some more screen-heavy alternatives.

It is not cheap, and details such as the rear privacy tint should be better addressed at this price point.

Still, for buyers considering a G05 X5, the xDrive30d remains the variant that best fits the X5 brief: a refined, long-legged luxury SUV with the torque, range and practicality to back up the badge.

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