Preview: 2027 BMW X5 Will Be Available With Mild-Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, and Fully Electric Powertrains

The new X5 is a technological tour de force, not only under the hood but also inside the cabin. With gas, plug-in hybrid, fully electric, and, in the future, hydrogen powertrains, the SUV is set up to serve a wide range of drivers.

The outgoing X5 and X5 PHEV impressed us with their road-test scores and reliability, enough to earn a spot several times among our annual 10 Top Picks. The redesigned SUV looks to build on those virtues. We look forward to buying and testing the X5 to see whether it effectively builds on its legacy.

While its silhouette makes the redesigned 2027 X5 instantly recognizable as a BMW, it looks much like a significantly bulkier version of the BMW iX3. From the throwback-styled grille that harks back to past models like the BMW 2002, to the stylized headlights, the X5 is the latest example of BMW dialing back the extroverted styling of recent models. The large dual-kidney of the iX and i4 may be relegated to BMW’s history—at least for now.

Like the iX3, the X5 variants forgo a wide chrome grille surrounding the kidneys, opting instead for surrounding illumination and horizontal lighting elements that extend toward the fenders. At the end of each light bar is a pair of lights that form a large X, an evolution of BMW’s classic four round headlights.

While the X5 40 and 50e versions have various intakes below the illuminated grille that direct air toward the engine and brakes, the EV has a continuous panel that differentiates it from the rest of the line.

Each version has prominent, flat wheel arches and deeply sculpted lower door sills, with matte-black side skirts. The X5 comes standard with 21-inch wheels and tires; 22- and 23-inch wheels and tires are optional.

The redesigned 2025 BMW X5 lacks traditional-looking door handles. Instead, the BMW Winglet door handles are integrated into the B- and C-pillars. An optional electric open-and-close feature allows passengers to touch the surface to power-open the doors, press the winglet to close the doors, and lock the X5 by holding the locking surface. All X5s come with soft close, which pulls the door fully shut when it is rested in a “near closed” state, as a standard feature.

Like the iX3, the roof spoiler and a rear bump-out for the taillights are significant design elements. Light bars extend from the BMW roundel mounted at the center of the rear hatch to the fenders.

The new technology inside the 2027 BMW X5 is more of a focal point than the luxury appointments. 

Front-seat occupants are greeted with a slim panoramic display that sits at the base of the windshield and stretches its width. It replaces the traditional driver’s gauge cluster and works in conjunction with the standard 3D head-up display and 17.9-inch center touchscreen. The driver or front-seat passenger can use drag and drop movements to adjust widgets around the center screen or up to the panoramic screen.

There are few physical controls in the X5, other than the crystal glass used for the gear selector, volume controls, and seat controls. Nearly everything else is a touch-sensitive surface with haptic feedback. The steering wheel will illuminate icons for active or available features, in what the automaker says is an effort to keep their eyes on the road. The BMW Personal Assistant uses machine learning to understand commands for operating the windows, climate settings, and entertainment system, and a Routines function will automate user habits, such as predicting when to raise or lower the temperature or activate seat heating.

An optional 14.6-inch screen for the front-seat passenger lets them stream content, use apps, or join video conferences. Driver-monitoring cameras prevent the driver from viewing the screen and becoming distracted while the X5 is in motion. 

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. The center console has two cup holders, two USB-C ports, and a smartphone tray with inductive charging and a magnetic holder.

Heated sport seats come standard and offer improved cushioning compared with the seats in the previous-generation X5. Optional multifunction seats include ventilation and active massage.

The rear seat features more knee room and revised seat angles to improve long-distance travel comfort. Like past X5s, the seats fold in a 40/20/40 split to expand cargo room. While a three-zone climate system is standard, the optional Climate Package includes a four-zone system with a touchscreen for the rear-seat passengers, ventilated front seats, and heating for the rear seats, steering wheel, and armrests.

The rear-drive BMW X5 40 and all-wheel-drive X5 40 xDrive use a 394-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system integrates the electric starter-generator into the transmission for smoother stop/start operation and quicker response when starting up from a stop.

The X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid pairs the 3.0-liter turbocharged engine with a 194-hp electric motor, producing a combined output of 483 hp. The electric motor is powered by a 26.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. According to BMW, the 50e should be able to travel 44 miles on electric power alone, a 4-mile increase over the Environmental Protection Agency estimate for the previous-generation model, and travel at up to 87 mph on electric power alone. The previous X5 PHEV had a similar setup that was a compelling powertrain option. However, it was important to plug in often because the PHEV’s combined fuel economy in hybrid mode was worse than that of the standard X5. 

Finally, the all-electric iX5 features two electric motors that combine to produce 570 hp. The rear is the primary drive axle and uses a synchronous motor that produces 325 hp. As part of the 800-volt architecture, the system does not use permanent magnets; instead, it uses electrically excited electromagnets that reduce losses at low loads and allow for stronger magnetic fields when higher torque is needed.

The asynchronous motor at the front axle produces 245 hp and uses induction rather than magnets, which is a relatively common strategy with modern EVs and allows it to switch off under low load to improve efficiency. 

A North American Charging Standard (NACS) port is standard and supports DC fast charging at speeds up to 460 kilowatts. According to BMW, this means the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes, which is about 170 miles of range in 10 minutes. The standard AC charging system operates at up to 15.4 kW. The iX5 features bidirectional charging to support device charging (vehicle-to-load), emergency power (vehicle-to-home), and vehicle-to-vehicle charging.

All X5s will feature standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning. In addition, the AEB and RCTW systems have brake intervention to avoid impacts when turning or backing out of a parking space. The AEB system has been upgraded to detect and respond to wildlife, and the exit warning system can delay a door opening if it determines that a cyclist or vehicle is approaching from behind when parked on a city street. 

An optional highway hands-free driving system lets the driver operate the X5 on limited-access highways at speeds up to 85 mph. As part of that Highway Assistance package, the X5 can recommend a lane change, which the driver can confirm by looking in the appropriate side-view mirror. 

The standard Driving Assistant Plus package includes lane centering assistance and will adjust the X5’s speed depending on speed limits and traffic patterns, such as corners, roundabouts, and turns.