BMW is known for its elegant, capable, and good-looking vehicles, be it the sedans, SUVs, or sports cars. It’s been 20 years since the X5 was launched, and this is the fourth-gen of the SUV. However, the latest design philosophy has kind of diluted the last aspect for the majority of people. The kidney grille is not exactly a favorite, but BMW, for some reason, thinks this design will age well and is persistent to continue with it. But, thanks to companies like AC Schnitzer, these vehicles are looking quite good even in the latest iteration. AC Schnitzer got its hands on the 2019 X5 and has done magic on the SUV to make it look a lot better than what it does in stock condition. Are there any changes except for the makeover?

Exterior

To be able to incorporate this design language and turn it into something beautiful by making only subtle changes is actually a big deal. For starters, AC Schnitzer did not take out the kidney grille or make any changes to it. Customers who have picked up their X5 with the M Aerodynamic package can opt for the front spoiler that the German tuner has to offer. This not just improves stability, but also makes the X5 look a lot sportier. The front, otherwise, remains pretty much the same. The slim, evil-looking headlights should have been given the smoked effect to make things even nastier. AC Schnitzer is kind enough to offer hood vents as well to keep things cool under the hood.

Move to the side and you will immediately notice the bigger tires and wheels. The standard X5 comes with 18-inch wheels on the base trim, the xLine rides on 19-inch wheels, whereas the M Sport comes with 20-inch wheels. The AC Schnitzer X5, however, rides on 22-inch wheels wrapped in 275/35 tires at the front and 315/30 tires at the rear. If you will burn the rubber frequently – which you sure will (why else would you go for this package otherwise?) – be ready to keep a huge chunk of extra money just to swap these low profile tires often. The German tuner offers a variety of wheels to choose from. These include - AC1 Racing Forged Rims, AC1 Light Alloy Wheels, Type V Lightweight Forged Rims, and Type VIII Racing Forged Wheels.

If you live in Germany, you will soon be able to procure the wheel arch wideners to accommodate these tires even better. This will help widen the body by 14 mm and 26 mm in the front and rear, respectively. The side skirts have gotten sharper, too, and there are protective foils for the loading edge of the rear skirt. You can also opt for the AC Schnitzer rear emblems for the doors. But, that’s not all. Throw in wheel spacers to push out the wheels by 12 mm and you will have a meaner BMW X5 at your disposal.

The rear comes with some more aerodynamic components.I don’t know what got into BMW with this fourth-gen X5. The taillights were a distinct feature, but BMW thought it would be a good idea to swap them. The new taillights have an uncanny resemblance with the Skoda Kodiaq’s taillights. It would be tough to distinguish if the taillights were any sharper and edgier. The overall appearance looks quite sporty, even though the most prominent addition is the rear wing.

Interior

The interior of the BMW X5 is as posh as it can get at this price point and there’s nothing much an aftermarket company can do to further accentuate these levels of luxury. AC Schnitzer does not have much to offer either. The main parts that the company is currently offering include a set of aluminum pedals, a key holder, and a set of paddle shifters. Other than it, it’s pretty much in stock condition. The BMW X5 exudes elegance and luxury. For a five-seater, this SUV offers amazing space and comfort as well. A lot of credit for the space-management must go to the new architecture that the fourth-gen BMW X5 rides on. It comes with features such as wireless charging, heated seats, LED headlights, automatic climate control, and navigation, to name a few. BMW also offers Apple CarPlay compatibility but charges annually for the services. Call me old-school, but if I’m paying over $60,000 for a vehicle, I better get all the basic features without terms and conditions.

BMW X5 dimensions

Drivetrain

BMW offers two engines in the fourth-gen X5. One is the 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 mill that churns out 456 horses and 479 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. It takes 4.6 seconds to touch the 60 mph figure from a standstill and goes all the way up to 130 mph. The other one is a 3.0-liter, turbocharged, six-cylinder mill that makes 340 ponies and 330 pound-feet of twist. This mill takes 5.3 seconds to reach 60 mph, before the speed governor kicks in at 130 mph. Opt for the appropriate options and the speed will be unlocked up to 150 mph.

BMW X5 specifications

Now, coming to the changes AC Schnitzer has made. Engineers at the company have also developed a suspension spring set for models without air suspension. The set lowers the X5 by 20-25 mm compared to the standard vehicle at the front and rear, therefore, resulting in a lower center of gravity which attributes to better handling and overall driving dynamics.

Final Thoughts

The BMW X5 is a complete package in itself, but AC Schnitzer has made its presence felt here in whatever little vacuum it could work in. The tuner could have added a few more niceties on the inside in terms of AC Schnitzer-branded seats and stuff, but that’s just me being picky. The components used on the outside enhance not just the aerodynamics, but also make the X5 look much better. In terms of engine tweaks, the tuner made changes to the suspension setting primarily. It does improve the ride and handling noticeably. There is no word on the warranty as of now, but I don’t think it will interfere with the Bimmer’s original warranty. The biggest advantage here is that you can choose what components you’d like on your 2019 X5 instead of whole packages offered by other tuners. For the prices, you’ll have to head over to AC Schnitzer’s website and contact them.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 BMW X5.