2027 BMW X5 Gets A Full Redesign, Plus A Brand-New Electric iX5 Twin

If you’ve been sleeping on the BMW X5, it’s time to wake up. The Sports Activity Vehicle that basically invented the luxury SUV segment back in 1999 just got its biggest overhaul yet. BMW pulled the wraps off the fifth-generation 2027 BMW X5 at its Spartanburg, SC plant, and this isn’t just a facelift – it’s a full-on reinvention, complete with a first-ever fully electric version, a wild new face, and enough tech to make your phone jealous.

Here’s the rundown on what’s coming, when you can buy it, and why it’s got everyone talking.

Five Powertrains, One SUV – More Choice Than Ever

BMW isn’t picking a lane here. The new 2027 X5 launches as the first BMW ever offered with 5 different drive systems depending on market: gas, plug-in hybrid, all-electric, and eventually hydrogen, which would be BMW’s first hydrogen-powered production vehicle.

In the U.S., the rollout starts with the BMW X5 40 xDrive (gas), with the rear-wheel-drive X5 40 (gas), X5 50e xDrive (plug-in hybrid), and the all-electric BMW iX5 60 xDrive following in the first quarter of 2027. A V8-powered M Performance version is scheduled to arrive later in 2027, and we’ll likely see a full X5 M version sometime after that.

BMW’s Board Member for Development, Dr. Joachim Post, says the new generation “benefits from the technologies in the Neue Klasse and the widest possible range of drive systems,” setting up the X5 to keep its crown in a segment it created.

The Big One: BMW’s First-Ever Electric X5

This is the real headline. The BMW iX5 60 xDrive is the first battery-electric X5 in the model’s history, and they’re not messing around. Just look at these stats:

• 570 horsepower and 593 lb-ft of torque from a dual-motor setup
• 0-60 mph in an estimated 4.4 seconds
• An estimated 435 miles of range — huge for a vehicle this size
• 800V architecture with charging up to 460 kW, meaning a 10-80% charge takes just 22 minutes, and you can add roughly 170 miles of range in 10 minutes flat
• A new NACS charging port standard, plus full bidirectional charging, so the iX5 can power your house during an outage or top off another EV

The battery itself is a pretty big deal too: new 120mm cylindrical cells give it 30% more energy density than the 95mm cells in the BMW iX3, packed into a 144 kWh pack with no wasted space from modules.

Yes, The Styling Is A Statement

Let’s talk about the face, because you’re going to have an opinion on it. The new X5 ditches the classic round-ish kidney grille look for vertically stacked, X-shaped “Iconic Glow” headlights that stay lit day and night. It’s a big swing, and we’re not completely sold on them yet.

That said, that’s not my biggest issue with the styling. I think the designers really dropped the ball in the rear of the car, not to mention the bizarre interior treatment – specifically the odd-looking steering wheel with vertical spokes, and the wonky infotainment screen shape/layout.

Love it or hate it, BMW clearly wanted the new X5 to stop scrolling thumbs. The rest of the body leans into a more monolithic, upscale look with hidden door handles (BMW calls them “Winglets”), sharp wheel arches, and wheels available up to a massive 23 inches.

The Cabin Goes Full Luxury Mode

Step inside and it’s a different story, way more polished. Highlights include:

• BMW Panoramic iDrive, a curved display that stretches across the entire dash, paired with a 17.9-inch central touchscreen
• An optional 14.6-inch front passenger screen for streaming and video calls on the move
• Slate trim on the center console (a first for BMW) paired with real glass shifter and volume controls in the top interior package
• Standard soft-close doors, with fully automatic doors available as an option
• A panoramic glass roof and 2.5-zone climate control standard, with four-zone available

Tech Flex: Alexa+ Is Now Riding Shotgun

BMW’s voice assistant just got a serious brain boost. The new X5 integrates Amazon’s Alexa+ AI directly into BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant, meaning you can have actual back-and-forth conversations with your car, stream music through your Amazon account, and get proactive suggestions based on your habits.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard too, so your phone can still run the show if you want it to.

Performance Numbers Across The Lineup

Not going electric? No problem, the gas and hybrid versions got impressive upgrades too:

• BMW X5 40: Updated turbocharged inline-six making 394 hp and 428 lb-ft, hitting 60 mph in 5.1 seconds (4.8 with rollout), topping out at 155 mph
• BMW X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid: Combined 483 hp and 516 lb-ft, 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, and an estimated 44 miles of pure-electric range

Every model gets adaptive suspension standard, with the iX5 and 50e eligible for an active roll-stabilization system that BMW says sharpens cornering while keeping the ride smooth.

Pricing And When You Can Buy One

Pricing for the 2027 BMW X5 is as follows (before the $1,450 destination charge):

• 2027 BMW X5 40: $69,800
• 2027 BMW X5 40 xDrive: $72,100
• 2027 BMW X5 50e xDrive: $77,500
• 2027 BMW iX5 60 xDrive: $79,800

The rollout kicks off this October with the X5 40 xDrive, followed by the rear-drive X5 40, the X5 50e xDrive, and the iX5 60 xDrive in Q1 2027. The M Performance V8 model shows up later in 2027.

The Bottom Line

The X5 has been BMW’s bread-and-butter SUV for over two decades, and this new generation is the brand betting big – on electric power, on technology, and on a bold design that’s sure to have people talking.

Whether you’re an EV convert eyeing that 435-mile range or a traditionalist who just wants the inline-six with more punch, there’s a version of the new X5 aimed right at you.

Sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think of the new X5.