When you think of the tools the Federal Bureau of Investigation uses to accomplish its tasks and missions, what do you ponder? Windbreakers? High-speed tactical gear? Surely you conjure mental images of black SUVs driving in a tight formation, transporting agents and high-value individuals. Needless to say, those SUVs are almost always domestic makes and models, often Chevrolet Suburbans. Almost.
Four anonymous sources recently told media outlets that the FBI Director is trading in the armored Chevrolet Suburbans for an unlikely, higher-end alternative. As of 2026, Director Kash Patel will be riding around in armored BMW X5 SUVs. According to Forbes, the Bureau footed the bill for “an unspecified number of luxury armored BMW X5s for Patel’s use.” While it might seem like a wild move for the director of a federal agency to ride around in German luxury SUVs, Patel and FBI spokespeople maintain that the decision is a security-focused, cost-cutting move.
FBI Director Kash Patel Ordered BMWs Instead Of Chevys
Kash Patel recently requested that the FBI order multiple BMW SUVs as part of his personal transportation efforts. The move to equip Patel and his detail with the armored BMW X5s displaces the typical modified Chevrolet Suburbans you would find in such a role, and the decision has raised eyebrows.
Patel claims the BMW X5 is less “conspicuous” and would allow him to move more covertly than the upgraded Chevrolet Suburbans directors have used in the past. True or not, the BMW X5 is a more common presence on American streets than the hulking Suburban. Last year, Americans bought 42,543 Chevrolet Suburbans, 9,328 fewer than the X5’s 2025 sales figures. Of course, these are no ordinary BMW X5s.
New, Armored BMW X5s
Believe it or not, BMW has been producing armored X5s and selling them to politicians, celebrities, and wealthy customers for years. Built on the fourth-generation X5 platform, also known as the G05, the BMW X5 Protection VR6 takes the brand’s familiar mid-size SUV and adds protective measures right from the factory.
For starters, the X5 Protection VR6 adds armored bodywork to the mix, which BMW says will defend occupants against small arms fire up to and including 7.62×39, the standard cartridge you’d find in an AK-47 rifle. Even more traditionally vulnerable components are hardened. For instance, the X5 Protection VR6 will reportedly survive blasts from up to 15 kilograms of TNT from 13 feet away, with BMW’s Post Blast Protective Technology defending against secondary attacks. The luxury car marque asserts that even the windows will remain intact. If that wasn’t enough, the X5 Protection VR6 has a self-sealing fuel tank with specialized sheathing that “seals itself after being hit by a bullet to prevent any loss of fuel.” Add a martini dispenser, and it might just pass for something Q would loan to 007.
A Controversial Move
Chevrolet fans aren’t the only ones displeased with Patel’s move to add armored BMW X5s to the fleet. Former Justice Department official Stacey Young called the move “an embarrassment” for the tenured agency and its contentious director. Young criticized Patel to MS Now, pointing out that the head of one of the largest federal agencies in the United States commissioned “a new fleet of foreign cars to drive around in.” Scathing, indeed.
The news of Patel’s BMW order follows allegations that he misused an FBI jet to visit one of his girlfriend’s country music performances in Pennsylvania. It’s an accusation Patel called “baseless.” What’s more, some critics claim that the Bureau would have saved taxpayers money by buying multiple Suburbans at a discount instead of going for the armored BMWs. Ben Williamson, an FBI spokesperson, claimed that wasn’t the case, though he didn’t provide specifics regarding unit costs.
A Breakup With Chevrolet
The purchase of BMW X5s represents a historic change in precedent. For years now, FBI directors have traveled using the Suburban, Chevrolet’s popular full-size SUV. Like the BMW X5 Protection VR6, General Motors Defense offers the Suburban in armored flavors. For instance, the Chevrolet Suburban Shield, which GM bills as its “next-generation armored protected mobility solution,” is a factory-built armored version of the popular SUV. And like the X5 Protection VR6, GM says its armored body-on-frame SUV is “designed to look like an everyday commercial vehicle.”
10 Used SUVs That Deliver Over 400 Horsepower For Less Than $45,000
Driving excitement and affordability collide when you search for used SUVs with 400 horsepower for less than $45,000. Here are ten to consider.
Official Looks, Commendable Hybrid Power
Support the FBI’s move or not, the BMW X5 Protection VR6 looks the part. In a darker hue, the BMW SUV looks aggressive and official, without appearing garish or attention-grabbing. As for performance, the BMW X5 Protection VR6 packs a mild hybrid system working in tandem with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. Even with the extra protective bulk, BMW says the armored SUV will muscle its way to 60 mph in around 5.9 seconds. Not bad for a heavy, armored SUV. Without all the extra weight, the standard 2026 BMW X5 M60i will blast to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, 0.1 seconds shy of a BMW Z4 M40i.
BMW X5 Protection VR6 Specs
|
Engine |
Twin-Turbocharged 4.4-Liter V8 With A 48V Mild Hybrid System |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Steptronic Automatic Transmission |
|
Horsepower, Torque |
530 HP And 553 LB-FT |
|
0-60 MPH |
5.9 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
130 MPH (Electronically Governed) |
The FBI Says It’s A Money-Saving Move
Interestingly enough, a spokesperson at the Bureau claims the swap to the BMW SUVs is a cost-cutting move. The BMWs were reportedly “evaluated partly as a way to save taxpayers millions by picking cheaper selections or making cost structures more efficient,” said FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson.
I know what you’re thinking. A twin-turbo V8 BMW SUV that costs less than a Chevrolet Suburban? Well, an anonymous source within the FBI reported that one of the FBI’s armored Chevrolet Suburbans would cost around $480,000, per Forbes. That same source allegedly claimed that an armored BMW X5, like the ones in Patel’s new fleet, costs less than half as much. Forbes reported that the federal agency refused to comment on the move or the exact price of each X5.
Find 2026 BMW X5 and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
Celebrating And Looking Back On 25 Years Of BMW X5
The BMW X5 celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, so we dove into its history as one of BMW’s most iconic models.
Not The First Time
This isn’t the first time that a government official has leaned away from a Chevrolet or Ford SUV in the interest of inconspicuousness. Depending on the mission or location, agencies will use specific vehicles to fly under the radar and transport officials without drawing too much attention.
For instance, the US State Department has already made use of BMW X5s to move diplomats, officials, and high-value individuals without drawing the same attention that a full-size, armored Suburban might. However, it is the first time that an FBI director has opted to use BMW SUVs instead of more traditional vehicles. In the meantime, however, don’t expect to see hordes of BMW X5s replacing the standard service SUVs you’d find at FBI offices across the country.
Sources: BMW, GM Defense, Forbes, GoodCarBadCar, MS Now