New 2027 BMW X5 Debuts In Combustion, PHEV, EV, And Hydrogen Forms

BMW has pulled the wraps off its all-new X5, and it represents the German luxury automaker’s push for diverse powertrain options to meet a wide variety of premium mobility needs. For its fifth generation with the G65 chassis code, the new 2027 BMW X5 features a radical overhaul that adopts the brand’s new Neue Klasse design template.

But despite the Neue Klasse design of the new X5, this isn’t riding on the brand’s Neue Klasse EV architecture. Instead, it uses a heavily redesigned version of its Cluster Architecture (CLAR) because the internal combustion engine (ICE) and fully-electric iX5 models will share the same architecture. This is unlike the 3 Series and X3, whose fully electric and ICE models ride on the Neue Klasse and CLAR platform, respectively, despite featuring similar exterior designs.

Anyway, with the Neue Klasse look, the 2027 BMW X5 adopts the wide but slim kidney grille that defines this retrofuturistic design language. Instead of chrome trimmings are LED lights, which surround the grille and lighting elements. Speaking of which, the X5 debuts a set of X-shaped LED daytime running lights, which gives this SUV a very distinct lighting signature. BMW is also aware that letter X is culturally sensitive, which is why owners can configure the graphic of the LED daytime running lights. And then unsurprisingly, the M Sport versions also have a slightly sportier look.

Towards the sides, the new X5 ditches door handles altogether for a set of electronic handles mounted at the base of the windows. This is good for aerodynamics, but with China banning the use of electronic or flush door handles, surely BMW has a version with conventional door handles like in the iX3 and i3. To give the X5 a distinct side profile from the Neue Klasse iX3, its design is defined by wheel arches and a longer rear overhang.

At the rear, the X5 comes with wide LED taillights that are a few inches shy of becoming full-width units. There’s also a Y-shaped design element on the rear bumper, which features either a rugged or sporty design, with the latter being fitted to the M Sport version.

Sit inside the 2027 BMW X5, and you’ll see the Panoramic iDrive full-width upper display that dominates the dash. This is complemented by a pair of screens–a main 17.9-inch touchscreen and a 14.6-inch passenger-side touchscreen. The design is similar to the heavily facelifted 2027 BMW 7 Series, in which the second screen looks like an afterthought, in my opinion.

BMW has also placed heavy emphasis on premium yet sustainable materials, because apart from the usual animal-based plush leather choices, they are also offering vegan-friendly leather and textile choices. Apart from the usual wood or metal trim choices, the X5 can be fitted with real slate trim–a first for a BMW to use stone for interior trims. Other interior highlights of the 2027 BMW X5 include an optional 3D head-up display, an optional 775-watt 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system that replaces the 280-watt 12-speaker system, and an optional panoramic glass roof, among other options.

The 2027 BMW X5 is perhaps the brand’s embodiment of its diverse luxury approach, due to its wide variety of powertrain choices. For those who prefer a pure ICE (albeit with mild-hybrid electrification), the range kicks off with the X5 40, which uses the famed B58 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six that produces 394 horsepower and 580 Nm of torque. There’s also a diesel version with the B57 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six, which produces 308 horsepower and 670 Nm of torque.

Now, if you want a plug-in hybrid, the range kicks off with the X5 50e, whose turbocharged B58 straight-six is mated to an electric motor, thus giving a total system output of 483 horsepower. Thanks to a 26.5 kWh battery, the X5 50e has a WLTP-rated pure electric range of up to 102 kilometers. For even more performance, the X5 M60e uses a more powerful version of the B58 engine, which bumps the system output to 603 horsepower. WLTP-rated electric range, meanwhile, drops to 98 kilometers from the same 26.5 kWh battery of the X5 50e.

Don’t need the aid of an ICE? A fully-electric iX5 will be offered initially as the iX5 60 xDrive. The iX5 60 xDrive produces 570 horsepower from its dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup, which is good for a 4.6-second 0-100 kph time. Due to the large 144 kWh battery, it has a WLTP-rated range of up to 845 kilometers. Despite using the CLAR platform, the iX5 inherits the 800-volt electrical architecture of the Neue Klasse EVs. Charging speeds top out at 430 kW in DC rapid charging, while AC charging tops out at 22 kW.

The fifth and final powertrain option for the 2027 BMW X5 is the iX5 Hydrogen. This version uses slimline hydrogen fuel tanks, which saves on space despite offering up to 750 kilometers at a tank. The slimline hydrogen tanks simply sit where the batteries would be, which means space and packaging for the iX5 Hydrogen is unchanged.

The new 2027 BMW X5 also comes with numerous chassis tuning enhancements in the form of standard electronic adaptive suspension. Available as an optional extra is air suspension, which also allows for active anti-roll stabilization.

Lastly, as for safety and driver assistance, the X5 will come with the Driving Assistant Plus package that includes Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Driving Assistant Plus also comes with “Entry-2-Exit” hands-free highway and “Address-2-Address” hands-free city driving functionalities, which have been made possible through extremely accurate digital mapping. This works in tandem with the new BMW Symbiotic Drive–the electronics platform that allows for seamless intervention when the driver wants to fully control the vehicle at any point during the drive.

The 2027 BMW X5 will continue to be manufactured in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and the American market will be one of the first to receive this vehicle closer to the end of 2026. Other markets, like Europe, also follow a similar timeline. A Philippine launch is likely to happen sometime in early or mid-2027.