Deen Chundury’s 2025 X5 xDrive50e Plug-In Hybrid
Story by Kim Carpenter // Photography by Bill Sitzmann
When Deen Chundury recommends a vehicle, it’s best to listen. A material scientist with a PhD and four decades of experience in plastics compounding, Chundury doesn’t just appreciate thoughtful design—he is an expert in polymer science and engineering.
He brought that expertise to bear when it was time to purchase his new car. For him, there was no doubt. “We always wanted a BMW,” shared Chundury, whose previous luxury vehicle was a Lexus RX350, although, he confessed, “We didn’t drive it much.”
As it came time to choose a new vehicle, Chundury’s choice came down to a BMW X5 and a Mercedes GLE Class.
When he visited ONYX Automotive, he was immediately impressed with the dealership. “They let us keep a BMW for a day to try it out,” he shared. “They didn’t give us a sales pitch. We were extremely happy with the service.”
The BMW? The coveted 2025 X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid, noted for its style, efficiency, and power. As a bonus, the vehicle was quite the eye catcher, boasting an all-leather interior and special black high-end finish with a subtle sparkle on the exterior.
“I fell in love with it right away,” Chundury confessed. “I could see the difference. It had all the bells and whistles, and you look at it, and you see no metal—including on the fenders. It’s a very special combination.”
Chundury relied on his years of technical work, which benefitted companies like Ford Motor Company. “Being on the engineering side of business most of my life, I’ve had lots of association with cars and the plastics that go into them,” he said. “The German Engineering is so smart, and the performance of the X5 was superior. It has more than enough horsepower—483—and in-line six cylinders. It far exceeded the competition and offered a comfortable ride—but still acted like an electric vehicle.”
Chundury is especially impressed with the mileage his hybrid boasts—up to 40 miles on one charge (set to 90%). “It’s the best on the market,” he enthused. “Since purchasing it one and a half months ago, we haven’t had to go to the gas station yet.”
This, he explained, is because his BMW has regenerative braking technology, which makes it possible for his vehicle to recoup some of its energy when decelerating and braking. “Kinetic braking mechanism is a novel technology,” Chundury explained. “It converts into (stored) electric energy, and you get more than 38 to 42 miles.”
Chundury also appreciates the smooth ride. “It’s a great long-distance vehicle for us,” he said. “It’s so spacious and can easily accommodate five people. The seats are extremely comfortable and have built-in heating, cooling, and massage. I took my grandchild for a ride, and he said, ‘This is a cool car!’”
Chundury is looking forward to all the miles he and his family are planning to put on the new X5. “I’m a car lover—my first car was a ’69 Mustang—and I’m very happy with our BMW. It is ‘the Ultimate Driving Machine,’ and you literally see the quality of the smart engineering. It has all the luxury features, but it’s also very practical. We’re very happy with our decision. You get pleasure just by driving it.”
For more information, visit onyxautomotive.com.
