BMW has taken the wraps off the all-new fifth-generation BMW X5 (G65). For the first time in the SUV’s 27-year history, it will be offered with five different powertrains – petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), battery electric (EV) and, later, a hydrogen FCEV variant.
The biggest focus is on the new BMW iX5 60 xDrive, which effectively serves as the successor to the current BMW iX. Besides being the first BMW EV under the X5 lineup, it comes with the biggest battery ever fitted to a production BMW EV, offers faster DC charging and a WLTP-rated range of up to 845km.
BMW has made several major design changes, including replacing its signature split tailgate and a rather interesting double-X daytime running lights.
BMW iX5 gets BMW’s largest battery yet
The headline feature is its new 141kWh 800V NMC battery, making it the largest battery pack BMW has ever fitted to a production EV. As seen on the new BMW iX3, the new cylindrical Gen6 battery cells deliver 20% higher energy density than its previous Gen5 prismatic cells, while a new cell-to-pack design helps improve packaging efficiency and reduce weight.
On a full charge, the iX5 has a WLTP-rated driving range of 645 to 845km.
The iX5 60 xDrive gets a dual-motor AWD setup consisting of an electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) at the rear and an asynchronous motor (ASM) at the front. Combined, the motors deliver 425kW (570hp) of power and 805Nm of torque.
It has a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 210km/h.
Compared to the outgoing G05, the new X5 has also grown in size. The BMW iX5 measures 4,994mm long, 2,000mm wide and 1,748mm tall.
It also gets a longer 3,035mm wheelbase that’s 60mm longer than its predecessor.
The BMW X5 gets a practical 655-litre boot that expands to 1,850 litres with the rear seats folded.
If that’s not enough, there’s also 53-litre frunk storage that’s big enough to store your charging cable. Kerb weight for the iX5 60 xDrive is listed at 2,900kg.
460kW DC charging and bidirectional charging
Besides the larger battery, the BMW iX5 also brings a significant leap in charging capability.
Thanks to its new 800V electrical architecture, the large 5-seater SUV supports DC fast charging at up to 460kW. When connected to a high-powered DC Charging station, a 10-minute charge can add up to 350km of WLTP range, while charging from 10% to 80% takes just 23 minutes. For AC charging, it supports up to 22kW and a full charge takes 7.5 hours.
Similar to the iX3, the BMW iX5 also supports bidirectional charging, including Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G). This turns the iX5 into a giant powerbank to to power appliances, homes or sell electricity back to the grid.
As standard, the BMW iX5 comes with adaptive air suspension and near 50:50 weight distribution. There’s also the option to upgrade to Adaptive Chassis Control with two-axle air suspension and Integral Active Steering, while Adaptive Chassis Control Professional adds active roll stabilisation for improved comfort and handling.
With this option, the rear wheels can be turned either at the same or opposition direction to the front wheels by up to 3.2 degrees, which helps to reduce the turning circle by about 0.8 metres.
Neue Klasse technology and a double-X DRL
Being an all-new model, the fifth-generation X5 has incorporated the latest Neue Klasse design language and technologies.
One of the biggest design changes is the introduction of BMW Winglets, which replace conventional door handles with flush touch-sensitive door openers, similar to what we’ve seen on the Volvo EX60.
The Winglets require just a light touch to electrically open or close the doors while creating a cleaner side profile. The new X5 is also the first BMW SUV to offer fully automatic, self-opening powered doors, similar to the BMW 7 series.
Perhaps one of the more controversial changes on the new X5 is the removal of the split tailgate. This has been a signature feature on every X5 since the original E53 in 1999.
Instead, the new X5 gets a conventional single-piece powered tailgate that comes with a wide taillamp array similar to the BMW iX3.
Up front, the X5 gets BMW’s new double-X daytime running lights, giving it four illuminated “X” elements that looks like the logo of social media platform X.
If you don’t like the look, not to worry. BMW allows owners switch the daytime running light signature to a more conventional diagonal slash design, similar to current BMW models.
Inside, the SUV features BMW Panoramic iDrive with BMW Operating System X, featuring a full-width BMW Panoramic Vision display which replaces the traditional instrument cluster. It also gets a new 17.9-inch free-cut central display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 3D Head-Up Display and a redesigned multifunction steering wheel.
Similar to the new BMW 7 series, there’s also a14.6-inch BMW Passenger Screen, allowing the front passenger to stream videos, play games and access entertainment apps while on the move.
BMW iX5 FCEV Hydrogen to arrive in 2028
Besides the iX5 EV, BMW has also confirmed that the production iX5 Hydrogen will arrive in 2028 as its first hydrogen fuel-cell production model. It is powered by a third-generation hydrogen drive system co-developed with Toyota and offers a claimed driving range of up to 750km.
One of the biggest engineering challenges with hydrogen vehicles is packaging the high-pressure storage tanks, which often eat into cabin space.
Instead of using conventional huge cylindrical tanks, BMW has developed a Hydrogen Flat Storage system with 700-bar hydrogen capacity, take occupies the same space as the battery pack in the fully electric BMW iX5.
This means the iX5 Hydrogen is able to offer the same interior and boot space as the EV model, overcoming one of the biggest compromises when it comes to FCEV Hydrogen vehicles.
Whether hydrogen will become mainstream remains to be seen. However, if hydrogen eventually gains wider adoption, BMW has already laid the groundwork with a production-ready hydrogen SUV.
BMW X5 production to start in August
Series production of the fifth-generation BMW X5 will begin at its Spartanburg plant in the US in August 2026.
Global sales of the petrol and diesel variants will start in late November 2026, while the BMW iX5 EV and X5 plug-in hybrid variants will follow in early 2027. So far no details yet on the availability for the Malaysian market.
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