We haven't even driven the 2019 BMW X5, but the 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformance has just been revealed. Yes, we know what you're thinking, that "name." Good thing Twitter upped its character limit, otherwise BMW would've been out of luck trying to promote this model there.

Jokes aside, this new plug-in X5 will replace the X5 xDrive40e and be worlds better. Pegged for U.S. showrooms in 2020, the new electrified X5 will ditch its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for a boosted 3.0-liter inline-six making 286 hp. This will be paired to a 112 hp electric motor for a total system output of 394 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is connected to BMW's all-wheel drive system. Acceleration to 60 takes 5.6 seconds, and top speed is bumped up to 146 mph.

Electric-only range isn't that great in the current X5 xDrive40e at only 14 miles from a full charge. The new car's range bumps that up to approximately 50 miles. That might even help people take care of their entire commute in EV mode. Top speed was 74 mph when operating without the gas engine, but it's now up to 87 mph.

BMW is stressing performance with the "iPerformance" trim, so it placed the lithium-ion batteries in the underbody of the vehicle. This made the center of gravity lower than all other X5 models, suggesting better handling. It's said to lose about five cubic feet of storage due to its battery pack, though — not terrible considering the range those batteries provide.

Europe is slated to get the car sometime in 2019, but the U.S. will have to wait. Pricing isn't available for this 2021 car, and likely won't be for a while yet. The base 2019 X5 begins at $61,695 including destination charges, while the top-of-the-line X5 xDrive50i starts from $76,745. Expect it to fall somewhere within that range, most likely on the higher side.

BMW expanded the fourth-generation X5 lineup with a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain that turns the big SUV into an electric car for up to 30 miles. Alternatively, it puts nearly 400 horses under the driver's right foot.

Called xDrive45e, the newest addition to the X5 range looks a lot like its non-electrified siblings when it's viewed from the outside. The main differences are found under the sheetmetal, where its plug-in system is built around a 3.0-liter straight-six. This is significant, because the last-generation X5 hybrid (which was called xDrive40e) was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo four. BMW also doubled the lithium-ion battery pack's capacity to 24 kilowatts.

As foretold in a BMW Blog report two weeks ago, the German firm has designed a better, quicker, more usable, and greener hybrid. Now that the information is official, we can dial in some of the details. The system has a total output of 389 horsepower and 411 pound-feet of torque, huge increases of 81 and 111 over the last-generation model. It takes 5.3 seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop, and it can drive on electricity alone for 30 miles at up to 84 mph. Motorists can also take advantage of its massive torque output to tow up to 7,200 pounds.

BMW made the xDrive all-wheel drive system rear-biased to ensure the X5 drive remains enjoyable to drive in spite of the weight added by the battery pack. Motorists have three driving modes called sport, electric, and hybrid, respectively, to choose from. There's no off-road mode, but the standard air suspension can add 1.6 inches of ground clearance at the touch of a button to help the X5 clear small obstacles. Another button lowers it by the exact same amount to facilitate the task of loading and unloading bulky items from the trunk.

Inside, the driver faces a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and there's a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system propped up on the dashboard. The software is compatible with Android Auto (a feature BMW spent years resisting) and Apple CarPlay, and its navigation system cleverly exchanges information with the optional adaptive cruise control system's radar sensor to tell the eight-speed automatic transmission when to shift. BMW claimed the X5 is always in the correct gear regardless of road conditions.

Engineers shoehorned the battery pack under the X5's body so cargo space remains relatively unaffected. The xDrive45e offers 0.8 cubic feet less than a non-hybrid model with both rows of seats left up, or 1.1 cubes with the second row folded flat.

BMW's American dealers will begin receiving the X5 xDrive45e in July 2020. Pricing starts at $66,395 once a mandatory $995 destination charge gets added to the bottom line. That figure doesn't include state and federal incentives that some buyers will be eligible for. In comparison, the xDrive40i model starts at $62,195 while the V8-powered xDrive50i carries a base price of $77,145. Both of these figures include the destination charge.