BMW X5, X6 facelifts revealed

BMW has updated the X5 and X6 SUVs to take on the updated Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE coupe facelifts, which were also revealed recently.

1. X5, X6 facelifts get twin curved digital panels on the dash
2. New powertrain options added; plug-in hybrid more powerful
3. India launch still some time away

BMW X5, X6 facelift: what’s new?

Among the changes to the fourth-generation X5 and third-generation X6 are a light reworking of the exterior, an upgraded interior featuring a new digital display and modified drivetrains in a number of renamed models.

As part of a mid-life facelift, the X5 and X6 both receive an optional illuminated grille within a reprofiled front bumper. The 2023 model year X5 also adopts xLine design elements as standard, while the X6 is fitted with the M Sport package. Inside, the changes in the facelifted X5 and X6 are similar to the facelifted X7, alongside which they are produced at BMW’s Spartanburg factory in the US.

BMW X5 and X6 facelifts get a new curved digital panel and touch-panel for HVAC controls

Heading the interior changes is a new curved digital panel mounted atop a lightly reworked dashboard. Running the latest 8.0 version of BMW’s iDrive operating system, it houses a 12.3-inch instrument display and 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display as standard. It also gets the BMW Live Cockpit Plus system, which includes cloud-based BMW Maps navigation. The air conditioning controls also receive touch functions.

Options come in the form of a head-up display unit with augmented reality functionality, a panoramic glass sunroof with LED illumination, glass applications for various controls and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

BMW X5, X6 facelift: updated powertrain

Powering the 2023 model year X5 and X6 are a revised range of petrol, diesel and petrol-electric plug-in drivetrains – all claimed to offer improved efficiency and economy in combination with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive system as standard.

With changes to its combustion process, valve control and ignition system, the turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol unit on the X5 xDrive50i and X6 xDrive40i delivers 380hp and 520Nm (up 47hp and 70Nm). The diesel variant (X5 xDrive30d, X6 xDrive30d) makes a maximum of 298hp and 670Nm.

Elsewhere, the standard six-cylinder petrol and diesel, as well as the V8 petrol, all gain a 48V battery, adding 12hp and 200Nm via a gearbox-mounted electric motor.

BMW X5 and X6 facelifts get a 48V battery. 

Changes at the top of the model line-up have also been made with the X5 M50 xDrive and X6 M50 xDrive now taking the M60 nameplate. Despite this, they still run the same 4.4 litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine as before with 530hp and 750Nm. This provides the two M Performance models with a claimed 0-100kph time of 4.3sec.

The petrol-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain in the earlier X5 xDrive45e – now X5 xDrive50e – has been upgraded as well. The newer-generation 3.0 litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine now makes 313hp, 27hp more than before. Together with a more powerful gearbox-mounted electric motor developing an added 84hp, the overall system power has increased to 490hp. Torque also climbs by 100Nm to 700Nm, and battery capacity has increased by 3.4kWh to 25.7kWh. This helps it provide a claimed electric-only range between 94-110km on the WLTP test cycle.

BMW X5, X6 facelifts, India launch details

The current-gen X5 went on sale in India in 2019, and the X6 in 2020. We expect the updated SUVs to come to our shores by end of this year or early next year.

Also see: 

BMW X7 facelift launched at Rs 1.22 crore