In a bid to continue its momentum in the luxury car space, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation, the exclusive distributor of BMW vehicles in the country unveils new variants of its X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The X3 20 xDrive xLine and the X5 xDrive 40i xLine both represent their new respective entry-level variants in the model range.
Key to BMW’s tremendous sales growth in 2026 so far (sales are up 25 percent year on year) is the introduction of electrified powertrains across its line-up. Today, almost all models sold by BMW in the Philippines have some sort of electrification be it a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).
For the new X3 and X5 variants, BMW is swapping out the PHEV powertrain for self-charging hybrid ones. The X3 20 xDrive xLine gains the 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder with 208 horsepower and 330 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the X5 xDrive 40i xLine receives the venerable B58 3.0-liter inline-6 generating 381 horsepower and 540 Nm of torque. In both cases, they’re electrified using a 48-volt system and mated to an 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels courtesy of BMW’s xDrive system. Both variants are also number coding exempt as they’re officially recognized by the Department of Energy (DOE) as Hybrid Electric Vehicles.
In terms of equipment, these two new variants stay close to their PHEV counterparts. The X3 20 xDrive xLine receives 19-inch Style 941 bi-color aerodynamic wheels, the Iconic Glow BMW kidney grille, a power tailgate, and the xLine trim package consisting of aluminum satinated exterior trim pieces. Meanwhile, the X5 xDrive 40i xLine gets the same xLine trim package complimented by 20-inch bi-color V-spoke wheels, the Iconic Glow BMW kidney grille, an aluminum running board, and the trademark split power tailgate.
In a pleasant surprise, the X5 also gets an adaptive two-axle air suspension system as standard equipment. With self-leveling capabilities and electronically-controlled dampers, the ride height can be adjusted—automatically or manually via the drive modes—for various driving scenarios. For example, it can be lowered for improved high-speed efficiency or raised for off-road situations.
Inside, the X3 20 xDrive xLine has perforated Veganza leather upholstery, power front seats with memory, a three-zone climate control, auto dimming rearview mirror, wireless charger, and a Harman Kardon surround sound system—basically the same package as the PHEV variant.
The infotainment is powered by the latest iDrive Operating System 9. The latest iDrive Operating System 9 significantly reduces the number of physical buttons and controls, putting the focus firmly on touch and voice control. If you still prefer hard buttons, almost all vehicle functions are accessible via the center console.
On the other hand, the X5 xDrive 40i xLine has a four-zone climate control, a Fineline Stripe wood trim in high-gloss, Sensafin upholstery with décor stitching, power front seats, auto dimming rearview mirror, wireless charger, and a Harman Kardon surround sound system.
Both BMW X models also carry a solid suite of safety equipment. Aside from the usual passive and active safety features, the X3 has the Driving Assistant plus package offering functionalities such as autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control with stop & go with curve and bend adoption, lane keep assist, and blind spot detection. It also has a heads-up display, Parking Assistant Plus (automated parking), with a 360-degree camera. The X5 has the Driving Assistant and the Parking Assistant Professional package. Both have ConnectedDrive services built in.
The BMW X3 20 xDrive xLine is priced at P 3,998,000, while the BMW X5 xDrive 40i xLine is priced at P 5,298,000. This comes inclusive of a 5-year or 200,000-kilometer warranty as standard.
