Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.More than a quarter-century on from the first E53 BMW X5's reveal in 1999, the fifth-generation model has debuted at its home in South Carolina for the 2027 model year, and it could be just as radical as the model that started it all. The new 'sports activity vehicle' will be offered with combustion, plug-in hybrid, and for the first time, all-electric (iX5) powertrains, with hydrogen power also on the way. As confirmed by a leak earlier this year, America's X5 range kicks off with the X5 40 xDrive, while the rear-wheel-drive X5 40, plug-in hybrid X5 50e xDrive, and electric iX5 60 xDrive will arrive in the first quarter of 2027. Later next year, other variants, including a V8-powered X5 M Performance model, will also be offered, with the iX5 Hydrogen arriving last.2027 BMW X5: Neue Styling for BMW's Popular SUVBMWView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementLike the iX3 that was first to debut on the Neue Klasse platform, the 2027 X5 gets a more upright front end with Iconic Glow illuminated kidneys flanked by X-shaped LED daytime running lights. Interestingly, these are DRL elements, low-beam headlights, and turn signals all at once, and if you don't like the X motif, it can be deactivated. Regardless, cornering lights are standard. For the combustion model, there's an additional horizontal intake in the fascia, between the kidneys and the lower intake, while the iX5 fills this space with a black panel, but both vehicles get slanted side intakes to cool the front brakes. Moving backward, the door handles are tiny winglets integrated into the glasshouse frame with its hidden window seals, creating a sleek look. Meanwhile, the wheel arches are angular to imbue the X5 with a sense of ruggedness and the matte black side skirts aim to reduce visual mass. At the back, more matte black trim aims to make the X5 look a little less bulky, and a new set of not quite full-width taillights will surely be a talking point. These feature multiple lines and strakes for the most part, with the LEDs changing to form a pair of bracket-shaped elements on the extremities. Particularly with the green paint, I see a hint of Alfa Romeo Tonale in this rear design, but overall, it's not offensive, just very different from previous X5 designs and not immediately obvious as a BMW aesthetic.BMWView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAs usual, there's an M Sport Package available, adding gloss black exterior elements, a unique light carpet, adaptive suspension, 21-inch wheels, M Sport brakes with Dark Blue calipers, and sports seats. Opt for the M Sport Package Professional, and you get 22-inch Trigon alloy wheels in Jet Black, red brake calipers, a darker pair of kidneys in a unique front bumper, M door sill trims, an M steering wheel, and M seat belts. That brings us to customization: buyers will have access to 10 wheel designs (21-inch wheels are standard, but both 22- and, for the first time, 23-inch wheels can be had) and 11 paint colors, five of which are new to the model: Space Silver metallic, Grey Pine metallic, Vancouver Green metallic, and later in 2026, BMW Individual Frozen (matte) Tanzanite Blue metallic and BMW Individual Frozen Space Silver metallic. Special-order BMW Individual paint finishes will also be available from April 2027.2027 BMW X5: A Completely New InteriorBMWView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementInside, the cabin is familiar to those who have seen inside the iX3 but completely alien to those who haven't, with the BMW Operating System X placing all important driver information at the base of the windshield and leaving a single customizable 17.9-inch screen in the center of the dash for infotainment duties. That's unless you spec the new 14.6-inch BMW Passenger Screen alongside the free-cut central display, which comes standard in a new 7 Series but is optional here. The oddly shaped and spoked steering wheel features haptic feedback buttons, annoyingly, and comes in various color schemes depending on the rest of the interior and options. With Amazon Alexa+ AI, perhaps you won't need to use the haptic buttons too often, but some elements require touch, and to introduce novel means of purveying luxury, the new X5 can now be specced with slate as a decorative surface on the center console panel, which is where crystal glass switchgear appears. The center console also houses a pair of cupholders, two USB-C ports, and a smartphone tray with inductive charging and a magnetic holder, finished in Anthracite Alcantara. X-shaped quilting is also available, matching the DRLs on the outside.Available Interior Themes:Veganza upholstery in Black, Copper Brown, or SilverstoneBMW M interior design (as part of M Sport package) in Black/Atlas Grey Veganza/Alcantara with M logos on the backrestsBMW Individual Merino Leather in Black, Adelaide Grey, Smoke White, Tartufo, or Vintage Coffee2027 BMW iX5 60 xDrive interior (7:14)AdvertisementAdvertisementAs standard, a two-pane panoramic glass sunroof is included, as is 2.5-zone climate control and a 12-speaker sound system. Optionally, four-zone climate control is also available with a rear touchscreen and more vents as part of the Climate Package, which also adds vented multifunction front seats, heated rear seats, and heating for the steering wheel and armrests (heated sports seats are standard in front). A Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System with Dolby Atmos massively increases audio power from the standard 280 watts to 775 watts with 18 speakers boasting metal covers. With the Luxury Seating Package, the rear seats can recline by a further two degrees, and the Isofix mounts are upholstered to match the seating. Select BMW individual Merino Leather, and the rear seats gain matching neck cushions and a center armrest cushion in Alcantara. To truly convey a sense of luxury, automatic doors with radar sensors are also available, though soft-closing is standard.2027 BMW X5 and iX5: PerformanceBMWView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThe big news is the first all-electric iX5. Although BMW says this G65 X5 is all-new, and although it uses the same sort of Gen6 cylindrical cells and new motors as the iX3, the X5 and iX5 are actually based on a heavily modified CLAR platform, not the latest Neue Klasse architecture. Despite this, BMW has managed to integrate an 800-volt system with bidirectional charging, and this is the first vehicle with its new 120-millimeter-high cells in the battery (the iX3 uses 95mm cells). The result? 144 kWh of net usable energy, deployed across each axle in the iX5 60 xDrive through a motor on each end. These produce a combined 570 horsepower and 593 lb-ft of torque, most of which comes from the rear motor, which develops 325 hp and 369 lb-ft. The front produces 245 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, helping accelerate the iX5 60 xDrive from 0-60 mph in around 4.4 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. Preliminary range is estimated to be up to 435 miles, and on a suitable charger, the battery can be refilled from 10 to 80 percent in just 22 minutes, with the ability to recoup around 170 miles of range in 10 minutes.Related: BMW M Boss Wants a New M1 Supercar with a Mid-Mounted Engine, Head of Design Wants It TooAdvertisementAdvertisementIf you prefer combustion power, both the RWD X5 40 and AWD X5 40 xDrive get the latest version of BMW's incredible B58 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine, with a new turbocharger helping increase output by 19 ponies to 395 hp and torque by 45 lb-ft to 428 lb-ft. Rear-drive combustion X5s will manage 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds (4.8 seconds with a one-foot rollout) and are limited to a top speed of up to 155 mph. With a 48V electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic, this is a mild hybrid. The motor makes up to 148 lb-ft of torque and up to 17 hp in its quest to improve throttle response and acceleration, and BMW says it makes the auto stop/start system smoother.And if you can't choose between combustion and electric, the X5 50e xDrive is a perfect middle ground, pairing the straight-six engine with a 194-hp synchronous motor in the transmission and a 26.5 kWh (usable) battery. Combined, you get 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, enough to reach 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and up to 87 mph in pure electric mode. Drive carefully, and you can move silently on electric power for up to 44 miles, or roughly 15 percent farther than the previous generation.2027 BMW X5: Final Thoughts and PricingBMWView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleWe're not going to unpack the styling since beauty is subjective and this vehicle is sure to have both fans and detractors, but with a wider track, optional rear-wheel steering, active roll stabilization, standard adaptive suspension (two-axle air suspension with self-levelling is optional), and a double-wishbone front with a five-link rear, the new X5's diversity of powertrains should be well managed by the respective chassis systems. Unfortunately, BMW hasn't revealed the weight of any of the new X5 variants, but we can expect them to be heavy. On the plus side, a suite of Level 2 driving aids should contribute to long-distance comfort, and the optional Parking Assistant Plus system can make maneuvering the big SUV a little easier with the ability to record and repeat maneuvers up to 600 feet. There's also a remote parking system that can be used from 15 feet away. So what does all this cost?AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2027 BMW X5 40 will start at $69,800, while the xDrive version will cost no less than $72,100. The X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid starts at $77,500, and the all-electric iX5 60 xDrive will scrape in under 80 grand at $79,800 (all prices exclude a destination and handling fee of $1,450). How does that compare to the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE? We'll bring you a detailed comparison shortly.2027 BMW iX5 60 xDrive (7:14)This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.