2027 BMW X5 and iX5 EV: New-generation SUV range revealed, Australian timing locked in

The fifth-generation BMW X5 SUV and electric iX5 SUV have been revealed with a bold new look, and a choice of petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric versions – the latter with up to 845km of claimed driving range – locked in for Australia.

The new G65 X5 is a critical moment for the German automaker, with the existing model – a rival to the Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Volvo XC90 – having sold more than one million examples globally since it went on sale in 2018.

The new-generation X5 brings a new ‘monolithic’ exterior seen on the smaller iX3 SUV, which first showcased BMW’s Neue Klasse-inspired design language and technology philosophy in late 2025.

The petrol X5 40 xDrive and X5 40d xDrive will arrive first during the fourth quarter (October to December) of 2026, with the X5 plug-in hybrid and electric iX5 due here by mid-2027 – with no plans for an Australian launch of the hydrogen-powered iX5, which will be offered overseas.

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The new architecture brings bigger proportions, with the new X5’s wheelbase 60mm longer at 3035mm, responsible for most of its 59mm increase in length to 4992mm.

At 2000mm wide, the new X5 is four millimetres narrower than before but sits 14mm higher at 1751mm for the core range – with the iX5 sitting at 1748mm.

During a preview event, BMW pointed out the original X5 introduced in 1999 is the same size as the current X3, with today’s X5 now a significant step up.

The exterior, under design director Adrian van Hooydonk, includes a bluff front end with a classic illuminated BMW kidney grille, with its overall proportions and details similar to the X3, but more muscular overall.

In side profile, the muscular wheel arches stand out on the standard 21-inch alloy wheels, with options including alloys up to 23 inches in diameter for an even more aggressive look.

BMW Australia has confirmed all new X5s will come standard with an M Sport package, as on the current model, bringing M alloy wheels, M brakes, adaptive suspension, an aerodynamic body package and an upgraded chassis.

At the rear, the glasshouse tapers inwards towards the centre of the car – emphasising the rear wheel arches and aggressive stance – with the roof incorporating an integrated double spoiler.

The previous split tailgate has been replaced by a single-piece design.

The chunky rear bumper also has a bold rear diffuser, with the iX5 previewed without exhaust outlets because it's electric, while ICE and hybrid models sport trapezoidal outlets.

The overall drag coefficient is as low as 0.29 (model dependent), compared to 0.33 for the current X5, helping offset the increase in size and weight.

The more spacious interior is ‘horizontally arranged’, according to BMW, with a 17.9-inch central touchscreen and BMW’s Panoramic iDrive display spanning the base of the front windscreen, complemented by ambient lighting.

There’s also a head-up display and an optional passenger display – the same 14.6-inch screen as offered in the recently updated 7 Series sedan – which doesn't require passengers to log in to access music, streaming and phone functions.

A new steering wheel design brings ‘shy’ technology, with switches only illuminated when needed via haptic feedback sensors.

Like the Neue Klasse iX3, the new X5 uses BMW Operating System X, bringing significantly faster processing and greater software capability.

A panoramic glass roof is standard equipment, as are Sport seats with ‘Veganza’ synthetic leather upholstery. Merino leather is optional, as are glass details such as the centre dial.

The console also brings new materials, such as the thinly sliced stone pattern on the iX5 previewed to CarExpert, taken from Rolls-Royce – which BMW owns – giving each vehicle a unique pattern.

It'll use a carryover version of the 48V mild-hybrid B57 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder diesel with the same 210kW/670Nm output, but a 4kW more powerful electric motor – now producing 13kW with the same 200Nm of torque.

Through an eight-speed automatic transmission, it accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds, with WLTP fuel consumption of between 7.0L/100km and 7.3L/100km, despite its kerb weight increasing by 210kg to 2430kg.

The petrol X5 40 xDrive due in Australia at the same time also runs the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine as before – codenamed B58 – with mild-hybrid technology producing combined outputs of 294kW and 540Nm, up from 280kW and 540Nm.

The X5 50e xDrive PHEV uses the same engine with unchanged combined outputs of 360kW and 700Nm – including a 145kW/280Nm electric motor – with a WLTP electric driving range of between 86km and 102km depending on wheel size, compared to a best of 101km from the current model.

At 2640kg (EU), it also weighs 145kg more, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.0 seconds (0.2 seconds slower) and combined fuel consumption of 5.2L/100km (WLTP). While that appears a huge jump from the outgoing PHEV's 1.9L/100km claim, it's possible this is based on a different testing procedure.

The electric iX5 60 xDrive, meanwhile, is expected to weigh even more, but uses the biggest battery fitted to a production BMW at 144kWh for the US and 141kWh for Europe.

It has a claimed WLTP driving range of up to 845km on the standard 21-inch wheels, underpinned by an 800V electrical architecture.

It also produces 425kW and 805Nm, enabling a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds – only 0.5 seconds slower than the current V8-powered X5 M Competition sold in Australia.

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