BMW Reviews

Headlining BMW's new X2 range is the athletic M35i xDrive variant that promises more focus than its predecessor.

This is the entry into BMW's new X2 range that corrects the relationship this coupe SUV had with its more sensible X1 sibling.

BMW's new small coupe conforms to the X line-up and that's about it. This divisively styled small SUV offers both electric and petrol power with a flagship M performance variant but its the base xDrive20i that is the sweetest to drive. The electric models are pretty slick, too, and overall the 2024 X2 marks a big generational improvement.

There are so many premium small SUVs available in Australia that the choice can be a little dizzying. BMW offers two of these - the X1 and X2. The second-generation X2 has changed significantly compared to its quirky predecessor and is now much more similar in concept to the coupe-style X4 and X6. But with all that competition - including the related X1 - can the X2 stand out?

Over 25 years and four generations BMW's X5 has evolved from question mark to benchmark. Initially considered a shocking departure from the Bavarian maker's established performance sedan and sports car formula, today it stands as a segment-leader against which other premium five-seat SUVs are judged. Here Mark Oastler family tests the mid-range xDrive40i s to see if it's still up to the mark?

The facelifted BMW X6 xDrive40i M Sport sees changes to its technology, design and engine but how does it handle family life compared to its luxury rivals?

The first electric 5 Series that BMW’s M division has had a crack at is here. It’s the i5 M60 xDrive, and it starts from a hefty $215,900, before on-road costs.For that, there’s plenty under the bonnet… er, on the axles. It’s fitted with an 84kWh battery for its all-wheel drive dual-motor set-up to draw its power from, which in total make a whopping 442kW/820Nm.BMW claims it’ll hit 100km/h in 3.8 seconds, but at the cost of some range - only 506km compared to the other i5’s 550km.Interior upholstery is Merino leather as standard, while a 12.3-inch instrument display paired with a 14.9-inch multimedia display headline the interior tech, plus a head-up display, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging tray and BMW’s ‘new’ 'Interaction Bar' as seen in the 7 Series are included.BMW’s ‘Adaptive Suspension Professional’ with Integral Active Steering (rear-wheel steering), also includes active anti-roll in the M60, making its suspension the best in the 5 Series range.Both i5s come with BMW’s ‘Iconic Sounds’, drive sounds composed by Hans Zimmer instead of engine sounds heard through a 655-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system.It also has a Mode 2 and Mode 3 charger, cable, and a five-year Chargefox subscription.The 5 Series comes with 'BMW Driving Assistant Professional' as standard, with active cruise, lane assist and departure warning, front and rear cross traffic alert, collision prevention and intervention systems - about 40 safety systems are featured including an augmented reality dash display.Airbags include front and side airbags for driver and passenger including one between the two occupants, as well as curtain airbags front and rear. ANCAP hasn’t crash tested the new 5 Series.BMW’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty on its new cars includes the i5, and servicing is undertaken based on condition, not time or distance intervals.

This is the first electric BMW 5 Series, the i5, here in two variants. This one is the ‘entry’ i5, the eDrive40, rivalling the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQE.From $155,900 before on-road costs, the i5 eDrive40 is a single-motor rear-drive electric car with an 84kWh lithium-ion battery providing juice to a 250kW/400Nm synchronous motor.Using 16.56kWh per 100km, the base i5 has a claimed 550km maximum range.Interior upholstery is Merino leather as standard, while a 12.3-inch instrument display paired with a 14.9-inch multimedia display headline the interior tech, plus a head-up display, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging tray and BMW’s ‘new’ 'Interaction Bar' are included.The eDrive40 comes with BMW’s ‘Adaptive Suspension Professional’ with 'Integral Active Steering' (rear-wheel steering), plus an acoustic protection system to make ‘electric car noises’ to warn pedestrians.It also includes BMW’s ‘Iconic Sounds’ for the occupants - a system that uses orchestral sounds composed by Hans Zimmer instead of engine sounds - pumped in through a 655-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system.It also has a Mode 2 and Mode 3 charger, cable, and a five-year Chargefox subscription.ANCAP hasn’t crash tested the new 5 Series, but it comes with front and side airbags for driver and passenger including one between the two occupants, as well as curtain airbags front and rear.BMW says the 5 Series has about 40 safety systems including 'BMW Driving Assistant Professional' as standard, with active cruise, lane assist and departure warning, front and rear cross traffic alert, collision prevention and intervention systems and even an augmented reality dash display.BMW has an industry-standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty on its new cars, while servicing is undertaken based on condition, not time or distance intervals.

The new entry-point to the BMW 5 Series range is still a 520i, as it moves into a new generation, but the differences are there. Now, it’s the only petrol version on offer, and even it has some mild electrification.

More than half a century of 5 Series pedigree has led BMW to this, the first electric version of its venerable sedan, the i5.