BMW has officially announced the launch of the fifth generation of its successful X5 SUV. This new model will be the first car of this brand to come to the market with as many as five different types of drive systems. The offer will include gasoline and diesel engines with 48-volt mild hybrid technology, plug-in hybrid models, a fully electric version, and later even a hydrogen-powered model.
Recognizable from the outside
The exterior appearance of the fifth generation of the X5 model combines the classic proportions of an SUV with elements of the new Neue Klasse design language. The front part is dominated by the illuminated radiator grille with vertical narrow “kidneys” and light elements in the shape of the double letter X, which appear for the first time on a BMW model. Those X’s will probably be the first detail by which we will recognize the X5 model from a distance on the road in the future.
The side profile is characterized by aerodynamic, recessed door handles that respond to a light touch for electric door opening, while customers have a choice of 11 body colors and rim sizes up to 23″.
The interior of the vehicle has been significantly modified and key digital technologies have been integrated into it. The cabin is controlled by the BMW Operating System X, which connects the free-form central display, the three-dimensional Head-Up display and the panoramic visualization system that extends across the entire width of the windshield. As an option, for the first time in the X5 model, a separate screen for the passenger is offered, and the company points out that it is the first in the world to offer natural slate and glass as an option for decorative surfaces in the interior.
Up to 845 km on electricity
The all-electric model, called the BMW iX5 60 xDrive, will use the company’s sixth-generation eDrive technology with new 120-millimeter-high cylindrical battery cells and an 800-volt architecture. This configuration enables fast charging, two-way charging and a maximum range of up to 845 kilometers. On the other hand, the future model BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be BMW’s first production hydrogen vehicle, equipped with a compact third-generation fuel cell system and special flat tank technology, which will ensure a range of up to 750 kilometers.
Made in the USA
In terms of driving characteristics, the car comes standard with adaptive suspension and axle load distribution in a ratio close to 50:50. The electric and plug-in hybrid variants will also be able to be equipped with a more advanced body roll stabilization system, while the iX5 models introduce the “BMW Soft-Stop” function for completely smooth stopping of the vehicle. Safety systems include integrated level 2 autonomy, which adapts assistance to individual driving behavior.
Serial production of the fifth generation will begin in August 2026 at the American factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which has been producing this model since its introduction in 1999. The iX5 model will also be the first fully electric vehicle produced in these facilities, and the accompanying new sixth-generation high-voltage battery factory will not use fossil fuels in normal operation. The first variants of the new X5 model will arrive on the market at the end of November 2026, while the electric and plug-in hybrid versions will be available at the beginning of 2027.