The all-new fifth-generation BMW X5 is here, and it’s X 5 the car it was before, because now BMW has thrown absolutely everything at it: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, full electric iX5, and even a future hydrogen fuel cell version!
Welcome back to RBR! Today we’re taking a full first look around the new BMW X5, one of BMW’s most important cars and one of the SUVs that changed the segment forever. Back in 1999, the original X5 helped redefine what a luxury SUV could be. It wasn’t the first German SUV, with the Mercedes ML already on the scene, but it was the one that said an SUV should still drive like a BMW. Even early prototypes were seen blasting around the Nürburgring, setting the tone for what would become BMW’s Sports Activity Vehicle.
Now, more than 3.1 million X5s later, BMW is launching the fifth generation with a completely new strategy: one X5 shape, five drivetrains.
And this is also a very special look, because this video is probably the only one online showing the new BMW X5 M60e M Sport version in detail thanks to our vfx!
This new X5 is around 7cm longer than before, with a wheelbase stretched by around 6cm, while keeping the recognisable X5 stance and height. The design is now more upright, more monolithic, and more imposing, with the highest front end yet, a vertical kidney grille with Iconic Glow, new double X light graphics, welcome and goodbye animations, flush BMW Winglet door handles, automatic doors and wheels up to 23 inches.
But the real story is underneath. BMW is using an updated CLAR-based architecture that integrates Neue Klasse technology, Gen6 electrical systems, BMW’s Heart of Joy, the new Superbrain computing structure, Symbiotic Drive and, for the electric iX5, a full 800V architecture.
In today’s RBR first look, we’ll cover:
The history of the BMW X5 and why it changed the SUV segment
New X5 vs the outgoing G05 X5
X5 Automatic doors
The first-ever BMW Electric X5 - iX5 60 xDrive
Petrol and diesel six-cylinder models
The new BMW X5 M60e M Sport with 612hp and 800Nm
The future BMW iX5 Hydrogen arriving in 2028
Interior Review
The powertrain line-up is huge. The iX5 60 xDrive brings 578hp, 805Nm, a 140kWh usable battery, 800V charging and a claimed 800km+ WLTP range. The petrol X5 40 xDrive makes 400hp and 580Nm, while the diesel X5 40d brings 313hp and 670Nm. Then we have the plug-in hybrids, with the X5 50e producing 490hp and 700Nm, while the X5 M60e takes things to 612hp and 800Nm.
And then comes hydrogen. In 2028, BMW will launch the iX5 Hydrogen as its first series-production hydrogen fuel cell car, using third-generation fuel cell technology and a new flat hydrogen tank system that occupies the same space as the Gen6 battery pack.
So the question is: has BMW just created the most complete luxury SUV in the world? And more importantly, which version would you choose — petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, full electric or hydrogen? But the one option that might annoy X5 customers… no 3rd row! Will that be a killer?
Today, we take a full first look at the new BMW X5 to find out whether this is BMW’s ultimate expression of customer choice in an SUV!
