2012 BMW X5 — Full Specifications
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The 2012 BMW X5 is an SUV offered with 2 engines (3L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) / 21 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 17–25 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a BMW X5 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 BMW X5: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 25 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 3L 6-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 3L 6-cyl turbo · 4.4L 8-cyl turbo |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 25 combined / 23 urban / 31 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 21 combined / 19 city / 26 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 301 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,550 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 4 configurations for the 2012 BMW X5 across 2 engines (3L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo). Combined fuel economy ranges from 14 to 21 mpg (US), or 17 to 25 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (19/26) | 301 | $4,550 |
| 3L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (16/23) | 291 | $4,350 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 14 (12/17) | 394 | $5,850 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 16 (14/20) | 345 | $5,150 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 BMW X5
Running Costs: 2012 BMW X5
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 BMW X5 at 25 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,455 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $4,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 BMW X5 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 BMW X5 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Engine and engine cooling (3), Air bags (1), Steering (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Engine and engine cooling — campaign 18V248000, reported 18 April 2018. Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- Air bags — campaign 16V071000, reported 5 February 2016. Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Engine and engine cooling — campaign 14V176000, reported 10 April 2014. Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Steering — campaign 12V550000, reported 27 November 2012. Risk: If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Showing the 4 most recent of 5 campaigns.
Owners have filed 295 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 BMW X5. The most-reported areas are Engine (100), Air bags (86), Power train (62). Complaints include 5 reported crashes, 11 reported fires, 7 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 109 complaints across the 17 BMW X5 model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 BMW X5
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine (100 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Air bags (1 recall campaign · 86 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Transmission & drivetrain (62 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Electrical system (32 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the BMW X5 compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 25 mpg figure is 2 mpg below that average. Its 301 g/km CO₂ figure is 48 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
BMW models in our database average about 28 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 BMW X5's 25 mpg is 3 mpg below that make average. Its 301 g/km CO₂ figure is 61 g/km higher than the 240 g/km BMW average.
Of the 17 BMW X5 model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 14th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (25 mpg UK combined, against a high of 32 mpg). See every BMW X5 year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 BMW X5
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 BMW X5 have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2012 BMW X5: 3L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 3L 6-cyl turbo with a automatic (s6).
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 BMW X5?
The most efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, or 21 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 17 to 25 mpg.
How much does the 2012 BMW X5 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $4,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 BMW X5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 BMW X5 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Engine and engine cooling (3), Air bags (1), Steering (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 BMW X5?
Among the 295 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (100 complaints), Air bags (86 complaints), Power train (62 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the BMW X5's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.