BMW Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina is the spiritual home of the brand’s SUV models and the perfect venue for the world debut of the 2027 X5 family. Now in its fifth generation, the OG Sport Activity Vehicle (SUV in BMW speak) brings a bold new look. Taking design details from the iX3 and i3, it features an upright front fascia complete with a retro-inspired narrow kidney grille. Additionally, the X5 family now features new double X-light icons for its daytime running light signature, adding to its imposing appearance.
From other angles, the 2027 BMW X5 follows the design approach of the iX3 and i3. That means clean surfacing and a fluid silhouette with a gentle sloping roofline. Out back, the muscular rear fenders complement the dual LED rear taillight bars, adding a bit of mass. The X5 also includes cool welcome and goodbye lighting animations, and even has an optional Ceremonial Light Carpet for that added bit of extra pizzaz. <Meanwhile, the door handles are now little winglets, adding to the clean side profile.
Looking to add a bit of sportiness to this bold new SUV? The M Sport package adds Shadowline-finish M roof rails, the M Aerodynamics package, M-specific door sills, and the M light carpet. Additionally, the M Sport models also include horizontal contour lighting, air intakes, body-colored side skirts, and a sculpted front bumper. Wheel sizes range from 21 to 23 inches. M Sport models also include M Sport brakes with Dark Blue brake calipers and the Adaptive M Suspension. Furthermore, the M Sport Professional package builds on this with a darker kidney grille, monochrome M logos, black high-gloss side mirror covers, an M-specific front bumper with additional black trim, M-specific door sill trim, M seat belts, and an M leather-trimmed steering wheel.
2027 BMW X5: Comfort Focused
Stepping inside, it’s all about flash and getting pampered. The X5’s interior makes full use of ambient lighting to dramatic effect, especially with the Dark Silver or Silver Bronze accents. Drivers can even enable the color and brightness to adjust based on the time of day! For an added bit of pizazz, the X5 introduces genuine slate as a decorative surface for the first time as part of the BMW Individual Clear & Bold interior application. It comes paired with crystal elements, including the gear selector, seat controls, and more.
BMW allows owners to customize the X5 for maximum luxury. Options include heated, ventilated, and massaging multi-function front sport seats, heated rear seats, and four-zone climate control. The all-electric iX5 even includes a model-specific climate control system backed by a highly efficient heat pump. For the optimum listening experience, an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with Dolby Atmos and metal speakers is available. Like before, BMW offers a wide range of upholstery options on the new X5. These include the standard Veganza and the optional BMW Individual Merino Leather in a variety of colors. Rear seat comfort also improves thanks to a torso angle that’s 2 degrees flatter and a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase. Although 40/20/40 split folding rear seats come standard, the X5 ditches the split rear liftgate for a conventional setup.
Neue Klasse Tech
The 2027 X5’s cabin goes all in on tech. Like the iX3 and i3, it features a similar dash layout complete with a massive 17.9-inch main touchscreen and the Panoramic iDrive with BMW Operating System X. A 14.6-inch passenger display is also available as an option. Additionally, the X5 now comes with the Intelligent Personal Assistant enhanced with Amazon Alexa+ AI tech for added convenience. It also includes features like a 3D head-up display and a host of connected services and remote functions via BMW Digital Premium. Don’t worry, though, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all models. For passengers, the X5 now includes a full range of entertainment options. These include AirConsole, giving passengers access to in-car gaming. Passengers can use their smartphones as controllers to play with or against each other. More games and apps will be available through the BMW ConnectedDrive Store.
On the driver assistance front, BMW Symbiotic Drive, a level 2 system, is available. The automaker says that it designed its active safety suite to operate unobtrusively in the background. It interprets steering behavior and the driver’s gaze to determine intent, intervening with warnings or steering with support only when unintentional lane departure or a potential collision is detected. Highway Assistant is also available and allows for hands-free driving up to 85 mph. It also includes active lane changing with eye activation, meaning you can initiate lane changes by glancing toward the appropriate exterior mirror.
Every X5 comes standard with a full suite of driver assistance features, including Driving Assistance Plus. Meanwhile, Parking Assistant Plus is available and includes Maneuver Assistant and Remote Control Parking.
iX5: The First Ever All-Electric X5
The 2027 X5 offers a diverse lineup, including the first EV model: the iX5 60 xDrive. This features the sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology. It includes a redesigned high-voltage battery with cylindrical cells, new electric motors, and an 800-volt electrical system. Like the iX3 and i3, an NACS charging port comes standard on U.S.-spec models. This delivers 20 percent greater energy density than the Gen5 batteries. Additionally, the cell-to-pack design removes the need for modules or structural elements while reducing weight and cost. Its energy master is positioned directly on the battery, supplying power to the electric motors and onboard electric systems, while managing battery data for intelligent, efficient, and safe operation.
In terms of power, the iX5 50 eDrive features a two-motor setup. Combined output is 570 hp and 593 lb-ft of torque, allowing the SUV to hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. With the standard 144-kWh battery, BMW says the iX5 will have a driving range of 435 miles per charge. Meanwhile, peak DC charging speeds top out at 460 kW, allowing the iX5 to go from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes or add 170 miles in 10 minutes under ideal conditions. Every iX5 comes with a standard 15.4 kW onboard charger and bi-directional charging capability. Battery preconditioning automatically turns on when a DC charging station is set as the destination on the native navigation system. Drivers can also manually activate it on the main touchscreen. The iX5 also uses AI to optimize route planning by considering previous charging cycles, charging capacity, station location, and more.
To make stopping smoother, the iX5 features BMW Soft Stop. This uses precise electric motor control to bring the car to a smooth stop without any jerkiness. The iX5 also reserves the conventional brakes for spirited driving or emergencies.
Improved Gas and PHEV Models
Not ready to go all in on the EV life? Don’t worry, the X5 has you covered. The 40 and 40 xDrive models return with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. Featuring a new turbocharger, it now makes 394 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds or 4.8 with a foot of rollout. It also features optimized intake ports and other efficiency-enhancing improvements. The engine also includes a 48-volt mild hybrid setup, which integrates an electric motor with the power electronics inside the compact housing of the standard eight-speed automatic transmission. This also smooths out automatic start/stop operation. It can also provide up to 17 hp and 148 lb-ft of additional electric boost for sharper response while accelerating.
Building on this legendary powertrain, the X5 50e xDrive pairs the updated engine to a 194-hp electric motor and a traction battery with 26.5 kWh of usable capacity. This increases the output to 483 hp and 516 lb-ft, allowing the X5 to hit 60 mpg in 4.6 seconds. The plug-in hybrid variant can also travel up to 87 mph in EV mode. What about the all-electric driving range, you ask? That goes up to an impressive 44 miles.
2027 BMW X5: Sporty in Every Sense
BMW continues to refine the X5’s chassis for its fifth generation, featuring front control arms and a five-link rear setup. On gas and plug-in hybrid models, the tenth-generation Lateral Dynamics Management system coordinates with the AWD system to help enhance driving dynamics and provide precise power delivery. Meanwhile, the Heart of Joy Superbrain with BMW Dynamic Performance Control on the iX5 reacts 10 times faster, adjusting everything from the powertrain to the brakes, steering, and energy recuperation for maximum performance. This results in composed, precise handling in all variants.
Every X5 comes standard with adaptive suspension and a near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution. As a result, the SUV balances ride comfort with sporty handling. Drivers can also customize the suspension via My Modes. Additionally, the optional air suspension can raise or lower the vehicle regardless of load. When driving at 87 mph, the car lowers the suspension by 10 mm. It can lower by another 10 mm at above 124 mph or when selecting Sport or Sport+ in My Modes. Alternatively, drivers can increase the ride height by 20 mm for additional ground clearance while driving on unpaved roads. You can also lower the vehicle by 40 mm while parked to make loading or unloading easier.
A Sharper Drive on Electrified Models
On the iX5 and X5 50e xDrive, the optional Adaptive Chassis Control Professional helps maximize their driving dynamics. It features active roll stabilization that uses a 48-volt electric motor at the center of each axle and active anti-roll bars. This ensures quick compensation of lateral forces that induce body roll while cornering. As a result, Adaptive Chassis Professional improves agility, directional accuracy, and driving precision, all while enabling a dynamic steering response.
Additionally, active roll stabilization increases comfort when driving in a straight line. By decoupling the fixed connection between each axle’s wheels, this configuration can suppress body vibrations when combined with the optional air suspension. On the other hand, Integral Active Steering and rear-wheel steering help improve maneuverability by reducing the turning circle by 2.5 feet.
2027 BMW X5: Priced Competitively
When it goes on sale later this year, the 2027 X5 will start at $71,250 for the 40 model. The 40 xDrive checks in at $73,550. Want the plug-in hybrid 50e xDrive? That’ll set you back $78,950. At the top of the lineup, the iX5 60 xDrive checks in at $81,250. BMW also confirmed that a V8-powered X5 M will arrive in 2027. A hydrogen-powered iX5 follows sometime after that.
Source: BMW
