The ever-increasing popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles is inevitable. But what is also shifting is how consumers are treating cars as mere home appliances. Simply getting from A to B is enough, and one could say that the gearhead is a species that will soon be endangered. But for German automaker BMW, eco-friendly transportation can also be an exciting prospect.

Case in point: the X5 xDrive50e M Sport. First things first, it is an X5. It is a family hauler with plenty of space, and is well and truly capable of doing shuttle runs to school and the supermarket. It is also a very capable expressway cruiser as it has all the qualities that make it suited for Germany’s autobahn system—some parts of which have no speed limits.

We now get to the bits that make this X5 just a little more interesting. In BMW-speak, “xDrive50e” means that this version comes equipped with a hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. Under the hood is a petrol engine mated to a 25.7kWh battery pack. This allows the X5 to be driven in EV mode for up to 118km—a rather generous figure considering the weight and the size of the vehicle it is powering.

Of course, the electric bits are half the story. Taking this X5 past its battery-only range is BMW’s signature in-line-six petrol engine. Quite a strong motor to be used in a hybrid vehicle, but 489hp and 700Nm are numbers that nobody would certainly mind having. The sprint to 100km/h is over in just 4.8 seconds as power is delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Keeping all that performance in check is a self-leveling air-suspension system. One of the benefits of such a system is the ability to compensate for body roll by electronically adjusting the rebound and compression rates. This allows the X5 to be driven around corners confidently, and vastly improves the vehicle’s ride comfort. The suspension system can also vary its ride height, making the X5 extremely adaptable to a wide variety of road conditions.

It’s hard not to get noticed in any X5, but the M Sport appearance package definitely adds zing to what is otherwise an already handsome car. Instead of shiny chrome, brushed-aluminum bits give this car just the right amount of bling. One party trick of the xDrive50e is the lighted kidney grille, which will surely elicit second looks even as the sun goes down.

There is also plenty to like in terms of the X5’s interior offerings. One would definitely gravitate toward BMW’s Widescreen Display, which combines a 14.9-inch infotainment screen with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Powered by Operating System 8.5, it comes with a cloud-based navigation system alongside wireless integration for Apple and Android devices. The software even has its own eSIM that can interface with 5G networks when available.

The cabin is decked out in a combination of BMW’s finest leather upholstery and wood trim. Occupants will be pampered by a four-zone climate-control system, while entertainment comes courtesy of Harman Kardon speakers.

All these things make the X5 xDrive50e M Sport an enticing option for making a bold statement in eco-friendly personal transportation. BMW is also throwing in peace of mind with a generous five-year (or 200,000km) vehicle guarantee and an eight-year (or 120,000km) battery warranty. Not bad for a starting price of P6,990,000.

Interested in this car? Simply inquire at your preferred authorized BMW dealership.

This branded article was produced in partnership with BMW Philippines.