2027 BMW X5 to offer four sources of power, including 525-mile electric version

On sale March 2027 Price from £75,000 (est)

When you bring out a new model that shakes up the market and is good enough to be named Car of the Year by What Car? – such as this year’s winner the BMW iX3 – you might be tempted to take a breather, perhaps go on a nice holiday somewhere and wait for the kerfuffle to die down a little. But no: BMW is launching a slew of new models with the brand’s bold ‘Neue Klasse’ design language on the way – including the new fifth-generation X5.

This upmarket SUV is 59mm longer than its predecessor (at a sliver under five metres), in an effort to increase interior space, but also slightly narrower and lower to help it slip through the air more easily.

BMW X5 video review

Despite following BMW’s latest Neue Klasse looks, the X5 features some distinctive design elements, such as a set of X-shaped headlights and aerodynamic ‘winglet’ door handles at the base of the side windows.

The new X5 is also the first among its rivals to be available with automatic opening doors. Like the latest BMW 7 Series luxury car, each door features sensors to stop before hitting any nearby objects and can be manually opened in emergencies.

For its underpinnings, the X5 takes a very different approach to the smaller iX3 (which is only distantly related to the existing petrol-powered BMW X3) and the upcoming BMW 3 Series and BMW i3 executive cars.

Instead of combustion and electric versions being different below decks, the new X5 will ultimately offer five forms of power using the same underpinnings, all of which will be built on the same production line to cut costs.

The cheapest version will be powered by a 309bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine that features mild hybrid electrical assistance to bolster performance and fuel economy. Sprinting to 62mph in 6.1sec, it's quicker than the equivalent Range Rover Sport.

And while BMW has confirmed that the UK market won’t receive the petrol mild hybrid X5 that will be offered in mainland Europe, buyers wanting petrol-power can choose from a pair of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. They’ll share a 3.0-litre petrol engine, with the cheaper version producing a combined output of 482bhp. A more expensive M Performance version will feature an uprated electric motor to make 604bhp. That version of the X5 will be capable of reaching 62mph in 4.5sec; quicker than any Volvo XC90 but slightly slower than the Audi SQ7.

In addition, the fifth-generation X5 will be the first to be sold with a fully electric setup, badged the iX5. Just one version will be available from launch, badged the 60 xDrive, which will feature a pair of electric motors that combine to produce a very healthy 570bhp. The 60 xDrive will store its energy in a massive 141kWh (usable capacity) battery to achieve an official range of 525 miles (German specification). That’s considerably farther than any Mercedes EQE SUV (431 miles) or Polestar 3 (438 miles) can officially manage.

What’s more, the iX5’s 800-volt electrical system allows it to take on juice quicker than most other electric vehicles – including the iX3. It’s able to accept rates of up to 450kW via a suitably powerful public charger (versus 400kW for the iX3, 350kW for the Polestar 3 and 390kW for the Porsche Cayenne Electric). 

Finally, BMW is also working on a fuel cell (FCEV) version of the iX5 that converts hydrogen gas to electricity to power the motors, rather than relying entirely on the battery. Unlike the bulky tanks found in current FCEVs, such as the Hyundai Nexo and Toyota Mirai, the iX5 Hydrogen is said to feature a significantly flatter storage system that occupies no more space than the battery in the iX5 EV.

BMW claims the iX5 Hydrogen will be able to cover 385 miles between refills, which will take less than five minutes, much like a regular petrol or diesel car. This version of the X5 isn’t expected to be ready until 2028, though.

While the existing X5 isn’t as spacious inside as some of its rivals, the new model’s extra length helps to remedy that. We’ve sat in it and can confirm that there’s generous leg and head room for six-footers in the back, even with the massive opening panoramic glass roof fitted. Nevertheless, unlike the outgoing X5, the new version won’t be available with seven seats.

The X5’s interior feels sturdy and uses a wide range of premium materials, including large areas of soft leather and, for the first time in an upmarket family SUV, slate. All told, it feels a cut above the iX3 in terms of quality, even if some hard plastics are still used on the lower sections of the doors.

Like the iX3, the X5’s interior isn’t short of technology. This includes a slim, high-set driver’s display that spans the width of the entire dashboard. Fitted just underneath the windscreen, it puts key information close to the driver’s line of sight and is highly customisable. 

Another carry-over from the iX3 is the trapezoid-shaped 17.9in touchscreen, which runs BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment software. It’s quick to respond and looks crisp, although it would be even easier to use if BMW had kept the physical rotary control that’s found between the front seats of the outgoing X5. 

While BMW has dropped the X5’s handy split tailgate, the 655-litre capacity of the diesel version is a slight improvement on the outgoing version and on par with the equivalent XC90 (653 litres). Moreover, the iX5’s 650-litre capacity is considerably more than the Polestar 3 (484 litres) has; although the PHEV’s drops to 525 litres.

BMW is yet to reveal how much the new X5 will be. However, it’s unlikely there will be a significant increase from the current version’s starting price of about £75,000 for the diesel mild hybrid. What’s more, going by the price gap between the mild hybrid BMW X3 and electric iX3, it’s unlikely that the iX5 will cost significantly more.

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