BMW has finally revealed the fifth-generation X5 and, as was widely expected, it’s gone electric. But not exclusively: just as it has done with its other key models, the X5 will now offer pure-electric power, but diesel, petrol, plug-in hybrid and even hydrogen powertrains are on offer as well.
This strategy, which BMW calls “Power of Choice”, will make the X5 one of the
broadest luxury SUV offerings on the planet. The Bavarian brand is staying out of the culture wars around EVs and will try to give everybody what they want, with BMW Australia head of product Brendan Michel saying the brand expects a “fairly even mix”.
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In person, the new X5 looks seriously monolithic. The body-to-glass ratio is higher, and the front end is more upright with a small, narrow kidney grille. New double-X light signatures – which will light up in yellow on future M Performance variants – are a memorable flourish.
The most unusual design aspect? BMW has removed the conventional door handles and replaced them with small ‘winglets’ at the base of the windowline.
Rusted-on X5 fans will rue the loss of the split tailgate, long a standout feature of this family SUV. BMW execs in Munich told us the decision was made to save weight…on a 2.5 tonne car.
Inside, BMW has gone big on tech and texture. The pillar-to-pillar Panoramic iDrive system from the iX3 grows even wider on the X5, and the 17.9-inch touchscreen is super-crisp. A passenger screen and HUD are optional, while glass detailing and slate replace wood trim. Plus, the doors open and close electrically.
Australia will get four versions, all with AWD, but the range will likely grow over time. First to arrive before the end of 2026 will be two AWD six-cylinder variants: the petrol X5 40, and diesel X5 40d. The pair will be followed in mid-2027 by the fully electric iX5 60 with dual motors, and the X5 50e plug-in hybrid (which uses a petrol ‘six as its basis).
Sales of the outgoing X5 are currently dominated by demand for diesel power, so the fact that BMW Australia is planning for a quarter of buyers to want the incoming full EV represents a major shift.
Power-wise, the iX5 60 puts up the biggest numbers with two electric motors
producing a total of 425kW of power and 805Nm of torque. A huge 140kWh battery will offer up more than 800km range while promising a 4.7-second sprint from 0-100km/h.
Plus, the EV’s 800-volt architecture is up there with the best. Hit a highway charger, and the iX5 can accept up to 450kW of juice for rapid top-ups on road trips. The 294kW petrol X5 is no slouch, either. It’s also 500kg lighter, meaning that while it produces 30% less power than the EV, it’s only 0.7 sec slower to 100km/h.
Meanwhile, the 40d will likely have the longest range and the six-cylinder plug-in hybrid will give the best of both worlds, with 360kW of power and 102km of electric range.
Just don’t wait around expecting the hydrogen version for Australia. It will be added to the global lineup in the future, but poor infrastructure in-country means we’ll likely get four fuel types, not five.
