2027 BMW X5: What We Know About The Neue Klasse-Inspired SUV | Carscoops

The BMW X5 has long been the benchmark for mid-size luxury SUVs, setting the standard for power, style, and technology in an increasingly crowded market. Since its debut in 1999 as BMW’s first-ever SUV, the X5 has stayed ahead of the curve, evolving with each generation. Now, with the next-gen model on the horizon, BMW looks ready to raise the bar again, serving up a sharper, more refined version of the X5.

Recently spotted running alongside a refreshed 7-Series undergoing testing in Germany and Spain, BMW’s next-generation X5 SUV is gearing up to reclaim its crown as one of the best luxury crossovers money can buy – assuming you have enough of it.

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Codenamed G65, we’ve managed to digitally decode the upcoming X5’s camouflage to reveal everything we can before the official curtain drop. So, let’s peel back the layers and dig in.

Powerful Proportions

Drawing inspiration from BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse X Concept, the X5 embodies the Bavarian automaker’s bold new design direction, marked by crisper surfaces and a subtle nod to the understated modernity of its iconic 1970s and 1980s models.

Up front, the reimagined twin-kidney grille is flanked by elongated headlight clusters and horizontal DRLs that scream for attention. A contoured hood with a central recess gives it a purposeful stance, while the muscular fenders along the side – borrowed from the new X3 – house a charging port for plug-in hybrid and electric variants, hinting at what’s under the hood.

Flush door handles, reminiscent of those used on Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, are integrated seamlessly into the window trim, giving it that sleek, minimalist look. And don’t worry, the iconic Hofmeister kink is still intact. The updated design also features a more rear-biased axle-to-dash ratio, lending the X5 a cab-rearward stance. At the rear, the vehicle presents a more monolithic and squared-off appearance, a significant departure from its predecessors.

A Smarter Interior

The cabin is set to mirror the upscale environment of the latest 5-Series with a curved panel that houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, running BMW’s latest iDrive 8.5 interface. It’s all very futuristic – just don’t forget to use it to actually drive.

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Of course, no modern luxury SUV would be complete without Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. The Harman/Kardon stereo system is there to make your road trips sound like a concert, while over-the-air updates keep your tech as fresh as the day you bought it. Want even more? Premium touches like glass interior controls, 7-seat configurations, and BMW’s hands-free Highway Assistant will all be available to up your game.

Electrified Ambitions

The upcoming X5 is expected to stick with BMW’s existing CLAR platform, rather than adopting the Neue Klasse architecture. CLAR’s flexibility, though, allows it to handle both combustion engines and electric powertrains.

Therefore, under the hood (or rather, under various hoods) the X5 will offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and possibly, all-electric options, with the latter taking on the name iX5. Details are still under wraps, but if it follows the lead of the latest 5-Series, expect a range of turbocharged four-cylinder and inline-six engines. Sorry, no roaring V8s in the standard X5 lineup this time around, though those craving it can still look forward to the M model – but more on that in a bit.

Among the many options on the table, you’ll likely find a 375-hp turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt hybrid system, a plug-in hybrid pushing 483 horsepower, and an all-electric version cranking out up to 593 hp. Yes, that’s a lot of horses, but it’s BMW, so it’s not exactly a surprise. The plug-in hybrid will likely employ a 19.4-kWh battery, giving you more than 40 miles of electric-only range.

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And if you’re going all-electric, the i5’s 84.3-kWh battery pack should deliver around 295 miles (475 km) per charge, assuming you don’t drive like a maniac. DC fast charging? Yep, that’ll take you from 10 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes, so no excuses for long pit stops.

Expect rear-wheel drive to be standard on lower-powered X5 variants, with xDrive all-wheel drive reserved for the more potent models, though availability may vary depending on the market.

Will The X5M Be The Heavyweight Champ?

Further down the line, we’ll see the introduction of a range-topping X5 M variant, which will likely be the sole V8 model in the lineup. It should pack the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 as the new M5, aided by an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque.

And yes, considering the current X5 M already tips the scales at a hefty 5,455 pounds (2,474 kg), and the new M5 at 5,390 pounds (2,445 kg), with a whopping 882 pounds (400 kg) attributed to the hybrid system, we’re almost afraid to ask how much weight the new X5 M will be lugging around.

Rivals and Reveal

The X5 won’t have it easy, though. It’ll go toe-to-toe with some serious competition: the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Range Rover Sport, Porsche Cayenne, and a laundry list of others including the Lincoln Aviator, Genesis GV80 and Lexus RX. There’s no shortage of players in this game, and each one is out to take a bite of the luxury (and near-luxury) SUV pie.

BMW hasn’t spilled the beans on an exact launch date, but expect the new X5 and iX5 to make their debut in fall 2026, likely as 2027 model-year vehicles.

What do you think of the X5’s all-new look? We’d love to hear your views in the comments below – and don’t hold back!