2024 BMW X5 vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2024 BMW X5, last redesigned in 2019, maintained a timeless appeal, although the M Sport treatment was not universally appreciated, giving it a station wagon-like appearance. The test vehicle featured optional 21-inch “741M” wheels with staggered-width summer tires, which were considered a worthwhile upgrade despite the potential cost of tire replacement. The X5 offered a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, a turbo-six PHEV powertrain, and a turbocharged V8 engine, with the high-performance X5 M Competition variant. The xDrive50e M Sport Pro specification test vehicle came with Brooklyn Grey paint, 21-inch wheels, and all available equipment packages. The 2024 model received a light styling refresh, aligning it with other BMW models, and introduced the BMW Curved Display instrumentation and infotainment screen, modernizing the interior while retaining high-quality materials and construction.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a sportier SUV aesthetic within the Range Rover family, with a taller stance and shorter wheelbase for a more athletic appearance. Large front air intakes and fake vents contributed to its sporty look, though it appeared tall and narrow from certain angles. The lineup included Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims, with the SV Edition Two being the highest-performance model. The SV Edition Two featured 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels and a carbon-fibre hood, giving it a sleeper appearance in Marl Grey. The interior boasted red leather upholstery, sport seats with light-up “SV” inserts, and illuminated steering-wheel paddle shifters, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic with a touchscreen, stubby shifter, and engine start button. The high console, dash, and door panels created a cockpit-like feel, though it felt cramped for a vehicle of its size. Material quality was high, but the use of reflective piano black plastic was excessive.

The 2024 BMW X5 introduced new mild-hybrid six-cylinder and V8 engines, with significant upgrades to the xDrive50e PHEV’s electric range and power output. The PHEV featured a more powerful electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission and a 19.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, doubling the maximum AC charging rate to 7.4 kW. It offered 63 km of electric-only driving, with a combined fuel consumption of 10.6 L/100 km. The xDrive50e produced 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 96 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The PHEV was praised for its driving dynamics, with adaptive damping air suspension masking its weight and providing excellent ride quality. The X5 excelled in Sport mode, delivering impressive acceleration, grip, and steering response, with brakes that withstood repeated hard use. The evaluation drive achieved an average fuel economy of 6.0 L/100 km, making the xDrive50e the preferred X5 variant.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The base Dynamic SE model featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid powertrain, based on the same engine, delivered 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography model increased output to 543 hp and 590 lb-ft. The SV Edition Two used a twin-turbo BMW V8 with 626 hp, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 290 km/h. The Range Rover Sport excelled in handling, with sport-tuned air suspension, four-wheel steering, and brake-based torque vectoring. The Terrain Response system and off-road capabilities were standard, with the Autobiography model offering a two-speed transfer case. The SV Edition Two had slightly reduced ground clearance but maintained impressive off-road angles.

The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e was a versatile midsize luxury SUV with seating for five and a cargo area of 937 litres, expandable to 2,016 litres with the rear seats folded. The split liftgate design provided a convenient seating area but required stretching to access deep cargo. The test vehicle featured BMW’s Sensafin artificial leather upholstery, which was indistinguishable from genuine leather. Standard sport seats and available 20-way power-adjustable multi-contour front seats with heating and ventilation enhanced comfort. The panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seats, offering a great view, while side window sunshades protected infants from the sun. The X5 no longer offered an optional third-row seat, requiring a step up to the BMW X7 for that feature.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered more room than the Velar while remaining a midsize SUV. It was a two-row five-seater, with front-seat headroom comparable to other midsize luxury SUVs. The sloping roof minimally impacted rear-seat headroom, with reclining rear seats and 20-way power-adjustable front seats standard. The cargo space measured 835 litres behind the second row, expandable to 1,860 litres with the rear seats folded. While less than some competitors, it was still substantial. The Sport lacked a split tailgate but featured power operation and an “access height” setting for easier loading. The maximum towing capacity was 3,500 kg for turbo-six and V8 models, with plug-in hybrids rated at 3,000 kg, offering more towing capacity than some rivals.

The 2024 BMW X5 featured a BMW Curved Display, combining a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a single curved glass. The system ran BMW Operating System 8.5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, connected services, and over-the-air updates. The cloud-based navigation system and Intelligent Personal Assistant were included, though the latter had issues with voice recognition. The available Harman Kardon sound system was praised, but the Intelligent Personal Assistant struggled with basic tasks, impacting the user experience. The head-up display effectively conveyed data, and the augmented video function for navigation was useful, though reliant on accurate directions from the assistant.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport shared its screen setup with the larger Range Rover, featuring a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The screens were visually appealing, but the minimalist design limited physical controls, requiring screen widgets for functions like climate control and drive mode selection. Steering wheel controls offered limited alternatives. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was more responsive, with improved natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition Two test car included “Body and Soul Seats” with embedded transducers, providing a unique but somewhat gimmicky experience. The Meridian audio system offered up to 29 speakers, enhancing the audio experience.

For 2024, the BMW X5 introduced the Highway Assistant hands-free driving assistance system, requiring deliberate activation through the infotainment screen and steering wheel controls. It performed well in dense or light traffic but could behave unexpectedly in moderate traffic. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance worked effectively, though occasional errant braking episodes occurred. The driver aids operated subtly, encouraging their use. The X5 received high ratings from the IIHS, but lower headlight ratings prevented an IIHS safety award. The NHTSA gave the X5 an overall crash-test rating of four stars.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. The 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though parking sensors were overly sensitive. The IIHS and NHTSA had not released safety ratings for the current-generation Range Rover Sport at the time of writing.