2027 BMW X5 And iX5 First Drive Review

What's New

Everything.

The X5 gets a new platform and the full suite of Neue Klasse technology, including the panoramic vision display, the newest infotainment system, an available passenger screen, and the heart of joy driving dynamics supercomputer.

Designers also got rid of the X5’s door handles and replaced them with electronic winglets mounted on the pillars. It’s mainly for aesthetics, according to the company, but also a better way to operate the optional automatic doors, another first for the X5. One thing it loses is the split tailgate, a decision based on extensive customer feedback, says the company.

Exterior Style

With design inspiration coming from 1960s BMW, the X5 is the best interpretation of “Neue Klasse” yet. The large grilles are gone, replaced by a smaller and slimmer version set between black panels that wrap around the front fascia and are lit with daytime running lights shaped like the letter “X”. You can switch them to slashes if you’re not a fan.

The X5 is also bigger in every dimension and features deep, sculptural character lines that make it appear more muscular than the smaller iX3. The lack of door handles maintains a cleaner side profile, but I’m not sure electric door handles are a solution many asked for.

Powertrain and Fuel Economy

The base X5 40 gets a B58 inline-6 that’s been updated with larger turbos, a new intercooler, and a new cylinder head. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic and a 48 V mild hybrid system. Total power goes up to 394 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, and all-wheel drive is optional. Even with the sizeable power bumps, this engine remains a fuel sipper with a combined rating of 26 mpg, 24 in the city and 28 on the highway, which is excellent considering the size and weight of the X5 combined with all-wheel drive.

The current top trim will be the all-electric iX5, which gets dual electric motors for a total of 578 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque drawing from a massive 144 kWh battery pack. Range is estimated to be over 700 km on the EPA cycle, though official numbers aren’t in just yet.

This is BMW’s biggest battery pack to date, and it uses the new Gen 6 cylindrical cells, which means it can charge at speeds of up to 460 kW. This means up to 170 miles in just 10 minutes, provided you can find a charger that fast, which is pretty much non-existent at this time.

Handling and Drivability

The X5 was billed as the sport sedan of SUVs and came out at a time when BMW was pushing its “Ultimate driving machine” slogan about as far as it could. That first X5 was based on the E39 5 Series and was legitimately good to drive at a time when it had few other competitors.

Even though this new X5 is more luxurious and tech-laden than it’s ever been, it still has that familiar BMW suspension poise and was a willing dance partner on the mountain roads snaking through the rugged mountain passes near Borrego Springs.

The oddly shaped steering wheel is actually very ergonomic to hold and positions your hands exactly where they should be. The B58 has so much smooth, turbine-like torque it feels almost unnecessary to ask for the extra power available in the iX5. If you do need to be pinned into the back of your seat, the iX5 will happily do that all day long.

Using suspension know-how gleaned from the BMW XM, the new iX5 gets rear wheel steering, adaptive dampers, air suspension and active roll stabilization. It corners with almost no body roll despite its mass coming in at 6371 lbs, a penalty of over 1000 lbs compared to the X5 40.

Ride Quality and Comfort

Despite its more dynamic capability, the X5 has moved upmarket when it comes to comfort and luxury, with seats that ensconce and coddle, and more room for passengers. The suspension set to any drive mode is never harsh and does an excellent job of absorbing and muffling most bumps.

Interior Style and Quality

Some of the biggest changes to the X5 are in the cabin, which is a complete rethink on BMW interiors. The iDrive rotary controller that first debuted in the 7 Series in 2002 has been nixed and replaced with the “panoramic vision” display, a pillar-to-pillar display projection at the base of the windshield. It replaces the gauge cluster and is also highly customizable.

The centre infotainment screen is the largest the company has ever used at 16.9 inches and also incorporates an optional passenger screen for the first time. There are few buttons and knobs, though we still get one for volume, and BMW hasn’t taken it as far as Volvo by even making you adjust the steering wheel on the screen.

Materials and build quality are excellent as expected, and the X5 can be optioned with a vast array of exterior and interior colours and trims. 

Technology

This is probably one of the most advanced BMWs on the roads but also one of the most sustainable, with increased use of recycled and secondary raw materials in the body and mechanicals.

The iX5 gets new supercomputers, including the “heart of joy” driving dynamics computer, which replaces dozens of computers and modules with just four. The system is up to 20 times faster than previous versions and can even be equipped with an AI-based voice assistant that can help you with all sorts of tasks.

It also gets the latest Gen 6 batteries and motors, and all trims in the U.S. and Canada will be equipped with a NACS port but will also come with an adaptor if you charge using CCS.

Value: Dollars and Sense

The volume seller here is slated to be the X5 40, which debuts with all-wheel drive but will have a rear-wheel-drive version joining next year and starts at $69,800 (MSRP). The all-wheel-drive version starts at $72,100, which is similar to the 2026.

With an excellent powertrain and the ability to spec it as you see fit, this is easily the best value here and one that will leave you wanting for nothing. The B58 is powerful, sounds good, and is very efficient.

The X5 50e PHEV that arrives next year will start at $77,500 and the iX5 60 xDrive top at $79,800.

Verdict

This might be the biggest update to the X5 in 30 years, but it could very well be the best iteration yet, with a range of excellent powertrains including an electric version, which means that there’s something for everyone. 

It’s still fun to drive, and even though it's moved upmarket with a more luxurious interior and options like automatic doors, the price has remained consistent with the previous generation.

The X5 40 xDrive will continue to be built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and goes on sale this month, with the plug-in, EV, and V8 to follow next year.

Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletterhere.