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2020 BMW X5 Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2020 BMW X5 Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: sDrive40i  vs xDrive40i vs xDrive50i, & M50i

What 2020 BMW X5 Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

BMW has released quite a large variety of high-quality vehicles over the past few decades, with the X5 being one of the highlights. Despite this, many potential car buyers may have difficulty determining how the BMW X5 range compares to many of its competitors.

This can be made somewhat more complex when you add in the variety of trims that are available, with extends to the 2020 BMW X5, which has four to choose between. These trims have varied significantly in pricing and standard features over the past few years, which has led many potential buyers to wonder whether they’re worth the price tag.

Though the trims haven’t seen too large of a change since the previous edition of the BMW X5, there are a few tweaks and adjustments that make them worth considering an upgrade from the last model.

However, the majority of potential buyers may have difficulty determining which of the 2020 X5’s trims they should choose. The primary reason for this is that many mightn’t be aware of the core differences between each edition of the vehicle.

While many car enthusiasts will already know how the X5 stacks up against its competition, there are still quite a large number of details they mightn’t be aware of with specific trim levels. Though each option can be well-recommended when compared to many others in its class, each of the 2020 BMW X5’s trims shine in various ways.

As a result, the choice between these trims to choose could vary significantly depending on which features you place more of an emphasis on. While many people will look toward engine power as one of the primary factors to help make their decision, there’s little difference in this regard between each level.

Much of this is because each of the trims features the same patented TwinPower Turbo engine that offers approximately 335 horsepower. Alongside this, the majority of them provide a similar amount of torque, with many of the transmission and engine differences being seen in the handling and comfort that the trim offers.

While the more expensive options may feature a slightly larger engine with more power, many people will wonder if this is worth the cost of the upgrade. However, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t a certain amount of value for money available with the higher-end trims. In contrast, the BMW X5 M50i could be much more cost-effective than you might believe.

This value for money could also extend to a few of the other 2020 BMW X5 trims, although not all of them. As such, each of the vehicle’s trims is worth taking a deep-dive and comparison to the other available options. There are four primary trim levels available; the sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50i, and the M50i.

Each of these comes with a large number of features as standard, with the trims naturally building upon lower levels. Naturally, this means that there will be quite a large difference in price between them. While the 2020 BMW X5’s trims can be augmented with a variety of packages, there are a few notable comparisons between the basic trims that can be made.

 

Compare the 2020 BMW X5 sDrive40i Vs xDrive40i Trims. What’s The Difference?

The sDrive40i is the base model of the 2020 BMW X5, which makes it the most affordable option to choose for the SUV. While this would typically mean that there’s quite a lack of features, there are still quite a significant number of them to take advantage of.

Some of the more notable of these include 19-inch aluminum wheels, a large amount of interior space, and a variety of infotainment systems. While there are a few prominent features that come as standard with the 2020 BMW X5 sDrive40i, it should be noted that there are many more that are optional.

As such, many buyers could find that the features that they’re looking for could need an extra investment. This could undo many of the cost-savings that you’ll see when compared to many of the more high-end trims. However, this is also where the X5 xDrive40i differentiates itself from the less expensive option.

While there are a variety of similarities between both of these trims, there are quite a large number of differences between the two vehicles. Though both feature 19-inch aluminum wheels and a large number of infotainment features, the 2020 BME X5 xDrive40i features quite much more as standard, which more than justifies the extra cost.

Alongside this is quite a variety of comfort and handling features that further enhance the cost-effectiveness of the trim. Some of the larger features that are included with the trim include the BMW’s patented iDrive infotainment system, which comes with a 12.3-inch screen with the xDrive40i.

Comfort is one of the more important areas where this shines, as several features come as standard that focus on this. These include an automatic climate control, which can be split into two zones when needed, power-adjustable front seats that are also heated, and a panoramic sunroof.

These should mean that the 2020 BME X5 xDrive40i is a well-rounded and comfortable trim that can be comfortable year-round. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few other notable features that you’ll be able to capitalize on.

Some of the largest of these are adaptable LED headlights and foglights, a liftgate that’s power-adjustable, an audio system that includes 10, speakers, and ambient lighting in the interior. As such, you’ll be able to take quite a large number of comfort and entertainment features when choosing the trim.

However, there are also quite a variety of security and safety features that are available with the xDrive40i. This includes a cruise control that’s adaptable, detection for the vehicle’s blind-spot, departure warning for when you leave a lane, and much more.

While many of these could come with the sDrive 40i, there are quite a large number of them that mightn’t come as standard. As such, the slight price increase between the two models could prove to be well worth it.

Compare the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive40i Vs xDrive50i Trim Levels. What’s The Difference?

While there are a variety of similarities between the 2020 BMW sDrive40i and xDrive40i, there are a large number of differences. When comparing the trims to the xDrive50i, however, you should be able to see quite a significant number of differences from the beginning. These will be seen across all areas of the vehicle.

Perhaps the largest and most obvious of these is that the 2020 BMW xDrive50i comes with a much larger engine at 4.4-liters, which provides an additional increase in horsepower and torque. This hasn’t meant that the trim has sacrificed on handling, however, as it should be just as easy to drive as the lower-end trims, if not more so.

However, this isn’t the only notable difference with the upgraded trim, as there are a few additional features that come as standard. While some may have been available for the xDrive40i, these would often have been optional and may cost quite a large amount of money to add. Several others may also not be available for the lower-end trim.

The majority of these can be seen in the comfort and infotainment options that you’ll be able to take advantage of with the xDrive50i. One of the larger differences in the interior is that you’ll be able to take advantage of leather seats, with the more affordable trims coming with a faux-leather interior.

The inclusion of real leather should help to add a sense of style and luxury with the more high-end trim, which is something that many people would come to expect. Alongside this is the multi-contoured front seating, which should help to add a certain amount of comfort for drivers and front passengers, although this doesn’t seem to extend to the rear seats.

The automatic climate control has also received a notable upgrade, going from dual-zone to four-zone, which should provide much more personalization and comfort for when you’re using it. One of the last major differences between the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive40i and xDrive50i trims is that the latter has gotten an upgrade in the audio department.

This has meant that it’s gone from the 10-speaker system that the lower end trims have to a 16-speaker system. Though this mightn’t be a significant difference for many potential buyers, it could help sway a decision for people focusing on entertainment features.

Compare the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive50i Vs M50i Trims. What’s The Difference?

While the BMW X5 M50i has many of the same features as the xDrive50i, there are quite a few additional benefits that come alongside it. Some of the larger differences here come with the engine, although there isn’t as significant an increase in torque and horsepower as many would believe.

While going from the xDrive40i to the xDrive50i adds approximately 100 horsepower to the SUV and a similar amount of torque, you’ll only see an extra 80 or so horsepower with this option. Though this does mean that you’ll have quite a substantial amount of power under the hood, it doesn’t seem as though it’s as large as the increase in price would suggest.

There also seems to be a negative impact in many features here, with the M50i going back to a climate control that has two zones compared to the xDrive50i’s four. However, you should see an improvement in the infotainment systems that come with the upgraded trim, with this primarily being seen in larger screens and increased connectivity.

This includes two USB ports for phones and other smart devices, compatibility with Apple CarPlay, and a variety of other features. Despite this, it looks as though the majority of the differences seen between the 2020 BMW xDrive50i and the M50i are in the engine’s power and handling.

As such, this will be primarily what you’re paying for if you should the trim.


 

Which Trim to Choose?


With the various trim options that are available for the 2020 BMW X5, it can often be challenging to choose between them. This is especially true when compared to the baser models, such as the sDrive40i and xDrive40i.

While much of this will focus on cost and the value that you’re getting for your money, there are quite a significant number of factors that may be based on personal preference. As such, the choice between each of the X5’s trims can depend on what you’re looking to get out of the vehicle.

If you’re looking for a considerable amount of power and a large number of features, then the M50i may be worth the investment. However, this can often be much more expensive than many people may want. While many of the other models offer a large amount of value for this cost, the M50i mightn’t be as cost-effective as people may believe.

If a value for money is what drives your decision, then it’s highly recommended that you go with the xDrive40i. While the sDrive40i is somewhat cheaper, it doesn’t offer nearly as many features as you could expect with the higher end trim. As such, what’s available with the base trim doesn’t seem to justify the price.

Though you’ll have to pay quite a noticeable amount more for the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive40i, it should be well worth the investment. While the base model can be augmented with a variety of packages, these can often be much pricier than they’ll be worth.

Alongside this is the fact that xDrive50i is much pricier than it may be worth. While there are quite a large number of features that are available with it, these don’t justify the price, which makes it much more expensive than it will be worth. Alongside this is the fact that some of the lower-level trims should have optional upgrades that will place them in the same league as their more expensive counterparts.

While this would naturally mean that you’ll have to pay a little bit extra when you’re buying the vehicle, it could still be much more cost-effective than purchasing the higher-end trims. This should mean that the 2020 BMW X5 xDrive40i can be the recommended option for the majority of buyers.

While there are a few notable reasons why you might want to consider the higher-end models, this will be a balancing act to determine whether they’re worth the considerable price difference. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly trim, then the xDrive40i is still the recommended choice.

Though you might believe that the 2020 BMW sDrive40i is the cheapest trim available, this means sacrificing on quite a large number of features. This sacrifice could be much larger than the cost savings could be worth, which makes it one of the less recommended trim options available.
Save Money on a 2020 BMW X5:
 
2020 BMW Trim Level Guides:

2020 BMW X1 Trims
2020 BMW X2 Trims
2020 BMW X5 Trims
2020 BMW X6 Trims
Previous BMW X5 Trim Configurations:

Compare the 2019 BMW X5 Trim Levels