BMW X5 hybrid costs, insurance, warranty & tax
The BMW X5 hybrid's long electric range and low company-car tax make it one of the cheapest luxury SUVs you can own – if you charge regularly
| Insurance group | Warranty | Service interval | Annual company-car tax cost (20%/40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48-49 | 3yrs /unlimited miles | 1yr / 12,000 miles | From £1,118 / £2,236 |
Plugging in the X5 hybrid to charge overnight will cost you around £4.50 on an average household electricity tariff, while using overnight off-peak tariffs can halve that cost. So, if your commute falls within the car's electric range on a full charge, the running-costs savings will add up very quickly indeed.
Bear in mind though, that getting close to the official fuel economy figures of between 202 and 235mpg relies on regular charging; forgetting (or not being able to) top up the battery will see something closer to 25mpg returned.
The X5 hybrid's Benefit-in-Kind company-car tax rate is fixed at 8% until at least April 2024 and is far lower than the diesel X5’s 37% banding. Unfortunately, since October 2021, buyers in or near the UK's capital no longer get free access to the London Congestion Charge zone in anything other than a fully zero-emissions car.
BMW X5 hybrid insurance group
The X5 hybrid falls into insurance groups 48 (for the xLine trim level) and 49 (for the M Sport). That's just short of the maximum group 50 rating, so the X5 won't be cheap to cover. That's not all too surprising given the car's high list price and significant performance, but it's something to consider when buying in any case.
Warranty
Like all new BMW cars sold in the UK, the X5 hybrid comes with a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty, which is about par for the course for premium brands like BMW. More accessible brands such as Toyota, Hyundai, MG and Kia offer five- or even seven-year coverage.
Servicing
BMW recommends the X5 hybrid be serviced once a year or every 12,000 miles – whichever comes first.
Road tax
As a hybrid, the X5 is liable for the 'alternative-fuel vehicle' road-tax rate of £145 a year – a £10 deduction on the standard amount of £155. But as it also costs more than £40,000, owners have to pay a premium-car supplement of £335 a year the first five times it's taxed. This takes the annual bill to £480 during that time.
