New BMW X5 Revealed, Gets ICE, EV, PHEV and Hydrogen Engines

The luxury SUV comes with a modern design language, a new-age tech-savvy cabin and a slew of powertrain alternatives to choose from

The new BMW X5 has finally been unveiled and production is set to commence in August 2026 at BMW’s Spartanburg facility in the USA. Interestingly, the petrol and diesel mills will be available for purchase from November 2026 globally. Additionally, the electric version (iX5) and PHEV avatars will go on sale early next year (2027). This time around, the German luxury car giant has revamped the opulent SUV to make it even more appealing in terms of the exterior styling, the interior cabin, the technology on offer and the powertrain options to choose from. In essence, BMW wants to ensure that it pushes the envelope to compete against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, etc. Let us delve deep into all that there is to know about the new SUV.

New BMW X5 – Exterior Styling

The new BMW X5 carries a distinct exterior courtesy of the BMW Neue Klasse design language. As a consequence, the new X5 looks totally fresh. At the front, we witness the double X monikers for the LED DRLs and LED turn signals neatly integrated inside the narrow black grille panel, while the trademark Kidney Grille has been created to render a vertical appeal. As expected, the headlamps get the cornering function, along with matrix high beam and ‘Selective Beam’ non-dazzling technology. The lower section contains a sporty bumper with a massive grille area and air intakes on the extreme edges of the bumper. Moving down the sides reveals the sheer length of the opulent SUV.

There are multiple options for the alloy wheels, including 21-, 22- and 23-inchers. Also, there are 11 exterior colour themes to choose from. This ensures that the buyers get a wide choice. Another key aspect is the electrically operated ‘BMW Winglet’ door handles, which are positioned into the B- and C-pillars. The wheel arches look pronounced and the shoulder line is muscular. Finally, the tail section boasts a rather enticing LED taillamp setup with a connected LED lighting signature, a redesigned bumper and other styling elements to lend it a sporty appearance. Note that the M60e xDrive gets more aggressive and unique styling components. As before, the M Sport and M Sport Pro packages can be chosen for other variants. The dimensions of the new BMW X5 are as follows:

New BMW X5 – Interior, Safety and Features

Now, the BMW X5 is among the most popular names in the luxury SUV space across the globe. Therefore, we expect the interior cabin to be fully loaded with tons of new-age tech and convenience amenities. Thankfully, the German auto giant doesn’t disappoint. The cabin contains a rather upmarket appearance and uses top-notch materials for the upholstery, door panels, centre console and dashboard. Some of the main attractions include:

• Colossal 17.9-inch Touchscreen Infotainment Display
• BMW Panoramic iDrive Display
• 3D Head-Up Display
• Optional Passenger Display
• New Steering Wheel
• Unique Screen on the Dashboard which extends the width of the car
• Ambient Lighting
• Panoramic Glass Roof
• Automatic Soft-Close Doors
• Wireless Charging
• Sports Seats
• Optional Ventilated Front Seats with Massage Function
• OTA Software Updates
• Bowers and Wilkins Sound System with Dolby Atmos
• 4-zone Automatic Climate Control
• Dedicated Touchscreen to Control Climate Settings for Rear Passengers
• Level 2 ADAS
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Parking Assist
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

New BMW X5 – Powertrain Options

This is where things get really interesting. The new BMW X5 comes with a whole host of alternatives in this regard. In essence, the X5 is among the most attractive models in this space in terms of the kind of variety it offers for the engines. The usual mills include a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo petrol engine with a 48 V mild hybrid setup, which generates 400 hp and 580 Nm, while the diesel engine produces 313 hp and 670 Nm of peak power and torque, respectively. In the PHEV guise, the same petrol unit churns out 489 hp and 700 Nm of peak power and torque, respectively.

Additionally, the top X5 M60e xDrive belts out a whopping 612 hp and 800 Nm. The plug-in hybrid models are good for a WLTP range of 102 km on a single charge and also support 11 kW AC charging. Note that the hydrogen model will use a 3rd-generation fuel-cell powertrain which has been co-developed with Toyota to produce 401 hp of maximum power. It will join the range at a later stage. The variant list includes X5 40 xDrive petrol, X5 40d xDrive diesel, X5 50e xDrive and X5 M60e xDrive plug-in hybrids, and the all-electric iX5 60 xDrive.

Editor’s Note

Yatharth Chauhan, Managing Editor

The new BMW X5 perfectly demonstrates how luxury SUVs are evolving to cater to a wide range of buyers. What impresses me the most is BMW’s willingness to offer virtually every major powertrain technology under a single model line, including petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, electric and even hydrogen. The fresh Neue Klasse-inspired design gives the X5 a modern identity, while the cabin continues to raise the bar in terms of technology and premium appeal. With rivals increasingly focusing on electrification, BMW seems determined to give customers the freedom to choose the powertrain that suits them best. Going forward, the X5 could become one of the most versatile luxury SUVs on sale anywhere in the world.

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