2012 BMW X5 in Elizabeth, NJ - $12,995

Introduced last year, the BMW X5 xDrive40e, the company’s first plug-in hybrid Sports Activity Vehicle, charts the next chapter of BMW’s ongoing EfficientDynamics initiative. Benefitting from the groundbreaking work by BMW i on electromobility, the X5 xDrive40e combines the company’s award-winning 2.0L TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, powered by a lithium-ion battery, integrated into its eight-speed automatic transmission. This newest BMW SAV can travel approximately 14 miles on pure electric power, ideally suited to short commutes and quick trips around town. In all-electric drive mode the vehicle is capable of an electronically limited top speed of 75 mph. Working in concert, the gasoline engine and electric motor can propel the X5 xDrive40e from 0-60 mph in just 6.5 seconds.

The lithium-ion high-voltage battery pack can be topped up from any 120-volt/15 amp electrical outlet or – quickly and conveniently – from the BMW Charging Station, as well as at public charging stations. The high-voltage battery, which also supplies power to the battery for the 12V electrical system via a voltage transformer, is housed underneath the luggage compartment floor, where it is particularly well protected in the event of a crash.

The driving experience behind the wheel of the X5 xDrive40e is enhanced by the use of the eDrive button on the center console which lets the driver modify the powertrain control. When the vehicle is first started, the default AUTO eDrive setting is activated, with both engine and electric motor working efficiently in tandem. The electric motor alone is used for setting off with normal power requirements, while the engine cuts in at around 45 mph or when the driver wishes to accelerate very sharply. In this mode, the intelligent operating strategy determines the most efficient drive combination at all times and switches to it automatically.

The driver can also switch to the all-electric drive mode setting MAX eDrive, in which the vehicle is powered solely by the electric motor. This mode is designed for comfortable driving with zero local emissions without the engine being started, and offers a maximum range of 14 miles at a limited top speed of 75 mph. The third mode that can be activated is the SAVE Battery setting, which allows the driver to save or build up the high-voltage battery’s energy reserves for a later point in time. When driving on the highway, for instance, the state of charge can be kept constant or even boosted in order to use the high-voltage battery’s power for all-electric driving in urban areas later in the journey. In this way, the stored electrical energy can be selectively deployed exactly when required.

This BMW hybrid also comes standard with a Driving Dynamics Control switch, just like the conventionally powered model variants of the sports activity vehicle. This can be used to activate the vehicle set-up modes COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO, which each have the effect of altering the throttle mapping, the steering characteristics, the responses of the eight speed Steptronic transmission, as well as the characteristics of the standard Dynamic Damper Control. The ECO PRO mode triggers efficiency-optimized control of electrically powered comfort functions, such as the air conditioning, seat heating and heated mirrors. Besides this, when the driver’s foot is off the accelerator at speeds between 0 and 100 mph, the coasting function shuts off the engine, allowing the vehicle to glide along without burning any fuel.

The modes selectable with the eDrive button and the Driving Dynamics Control switch can be combined with one another at will, allowing the powertrain control and vehicle set-up to be tailored precisely to the prevailing situation and the driver’s personal preferences. In this way, comfort, sportiness and efficiency can each be combined with high-intensity hybrid driving as desired.

Inside the passenger cabin, the BMW X5 xDrive40e features a black-panel instrument cluster with enhanced hybrid-specific functions added to its array of readouts. The drive readiness display positioned in the lower part of the tachometer switches from “OFF” to “READY” when the start/stop button is pressed. The high-voltage battery’s state of charge is visualized in the form of a battery symbol below the gear display. The Driving Dynamics Control switch setting is also indicated, as is the operating mode selected with the eDrive button. Depending on the selected drive mode, information on the vehicle’s electric and total range, current fuel or electricity consumption, recuperation of electrical energy in the high-voltage battery and the progress of vehicle charging can likewise all be shown in the instrument cluster.

Model-specific menu options and readouts are also available in the iDrive operating system’s Control Display. An energy flow display can be called up while on the move, illustrating in graphical form the interaction between combustion engine and electric motor as well as how energy is being fed to the high-voltage battery. Charging of the battery from the power grid can also be controlled from the iDrive menu using a timer function, which can factor in a planned departure time as entered by the driver. In addition to this, preconditioning of both the interior and the battery can be programmed in the iDrive menu.

Dimensions & specifications
Wheelbase: 115.5; overall length: 193.2; width: 76.3; height: 69.4
All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 2.0L TwinPower four-cylinder gasoline – 240 hp at 5000-6000 rpm and 260 lbs-ft of torque and electric motor – 111 hp and 72 lbs-ft of torque and lithium-ion battery – 9.2 kWh.
Transmission: eight-speed Steptronic automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 24 mpg (combined city/hwy.); 56 MPGe (combined gasoline and electric)
Cargo capacity: 72.5 cubic feet
Payload capacity: 1170 lbs

Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat mounted side-impact airbags, dual head curtain side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, electronic brake-force distribution, dynamic brake control, traction control, dynamic stability control, brake fade compensation, start-off assistant, brake drying, brake stand-by, acoustic pedestrian protection, lane departure warning, frontal collision warning, city collision mitigation, rollover sensor, adaptive brake lights, programmable LED daytime running lights, central locking system, anti-theft alarm system, BMW Assist eCall, Xenon adaptive headlights, cornering lights, LED fog lights, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, navigation system, advanced vehicle and key memory, push button engine start/stop button, rain-sensing windshield wipers, front/rear park distance control, universal garage door opener, and tire pressure monitoring system.

Optional safety features include rearview camera, surround view camera, head-up display, active cruise control stop and go, active blind spot detection, speed limit information, comfort access keyless entry, and night vision with pedestrian detection.

Warranty
Basic: 4-year/50,000 mile
High Voltage Battery: 8-year/80,000 mile
Corrosion: 12-year/unlimited
Roadside Assistance: 4-year/unlimited 24-hour

Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price for the 2017 BMW X5 xDrive40e hybrid SUV starts from $62,100. Destination charges add $995.