The fifth-generation 2027 BMW X5 adopts BMW's Neue Klasse design language with double-X headlights, winglet door handles, and a cleaner overall silhouetteFive powertrain options are now available: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, fully electric (iX5 with 435 miles range), and hydrogen, a first for any BMW modelUS pricing starts at $71,250 for the X5 40, with the electric iX5 60 xDrive at $81,250; combustion models arrive in October 2026, electrified variants in Q1 2027 In 1999, BMW launched the original X5 and invented a category. Nearly three decades and four generations later, the fifth-generation 2027 X5 is the biggest leap the model has ever taken, in design, in technology, and in the sheer breadth of what it offers. Revealed on June 30, it is a car that looks nothing like its predecessor, thinks about its powertrains differently from almost any SUV on sale, and makes a clear statement about where BMW believes the next decade of premium motoring is heading. A New Face for the X5 The design change is the first thing anyone will notice, and it is genuinely striking. The fifth-generation X5 fully adopts BMW's Neue Klasse aesthetic, which means smoother, cleaner surfaces, a raised beltline, and a more upright, monolithic front end. The oversized kidney grilles that defined recent BMW designs are gone, replaced by slimmer, taller, vertically oriented units with illuminated surrounds. Taking centre stage are the new double-X headlight signatures, which combine the low beams, daytime running lights, turn signals, and side lights into a single striking unit. If the crossed-light look is too pronounced for your taste, one of the two slashes can be toggled off, leaving a single diagonal mark visible. Read More Koenigsegg Could Build an Electric Hypercar — Here's Why It Won't The side of the car has been reorganised around one genuinely controversial decision: the door handles are gone. In their place are BMW Winglets, touch-capacitive elements integrated flush into the B and C pillars, sitting between the base of the window and the top of the door. Soft-close doors are standard. Electrically operated doors are available as an option and can be closed via interior buttons, the BMW app, voice commands, or simply pressing the brake pedal. The result is an unbroken door surface and a significantly calmer side profile. Whether owners will love or resent the change in daily use remains to be seen. At the rear, the split tailgate that defined every previous X5 generation is also gone, replaced by a conventional one-piece liftgate. The wheelbase has been stretched by 2.4 inches, improving rear legroom. New 23-inch wheels are offered for the first time on an X5, and eleven exterior colours are available at launch. Five Ways to Drive It The powertrain lineup is where this generation separates itself most dramatically from anything BMW has done before. For the first time, a single BMW model is offered with five distinct propulsion types.The entry point is the X5 40 and X5 40 xDrive, both powered by a revised 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six producing 394 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance. Both cover 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. US pricing starts at $71,250 and $73,550, respectively. The X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid pairs the same six-cylinder with a 194 hp electric motor, delivering 483 hp combined and an estimated 44 miles of all-electric range, with a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds, priced from $78,950. The more aggressive X5 M60e xDrive pushes output to 603 hp with a similar electric range of around 61 miles. The headline addition is the iX5 60 xDrive, the first fully electric X5 ever built. Its dual-motor setup produces 570 hp and 593 lb-ft of torque, and its 144 kWh battery delivers an estimated 435 miles of EPA range. Peak charging sits at 460 kW, meaning 10 to 80 percent takes around 22 minutes at a suitable fast-charger. NACS charging is standard, and bidirectional charging is supported. The sprint to 60 mph takes 4.4 seconds. It is priced from $81,250. A hydrogen-powered iX5, developed in partnership with Toyota using third-generation fuel cell technology, will arrive after the initial launch, refuelling in under five minutes. A V8-powered M Performance variant is also confirmed for later in 2027. Read More Three New S Models, One Goodwood: Aston Martin Arrives in Force Inside the New X5 Step inside, and the transformation continues. The most significant interior change is the replacement of the traditional instrument cluster with BMW Panoramic iDrive, a projection system that spans the full width of the lower windscreen from A-pillar to A-pillar, displaying key driving information directly in the driver's line of sight. Flanking it is a 17.9-inch central touchscreen with a trapezoidal shape, while an optional 14.6-inch passenger screen can be added, complete with an interior camera that automatically darkens it if it detects driver distraction. The new dual-spoke steering wheel will be familiar to anyone who has seen the new iX3 or updated 7 Series, though buyers opting for the M Sport Package Professional receive a more traditional design. Climate vent direction is now controlled through the touchscreen, a change that has already attracted some editorial criticism, though physical buttons remain on the steering wheel, door panels, and between the seats. Read More The Toyota Supra Is Dying Again Material highlights include a slate panel on the centre console, a first in BMW's history, paired with real glass controls for the volume, seat adjustment, and gear selector in the optional Clear and Bold interior package. Ambient lighting strips run through the doors and beneath the infotainment screen. Sports seats are standard, with multifunction, ventilated, and massage variants available as options.Production begins at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina in August 2026, with combustion models arriving in October. Plug-in hybrids and the iX5 follow in Q1 2027.
