BMW has revealed that the upcoming iX5, the first-ever all-electric X5, will get the largest battery pack for any BMW car. Depending on the market, the all-electric X5 will be offered either with a 141kWh or a 144kWh battery pack. BMW has also confirmed that the iX5 will be offered with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup.
- The X5’s G65-generation debuts with the iX5, expectantly in 2027
- Hydrogen, petrol, diesel and PHEV versions will debut in 2028
The fifth-generation (G65) X5 has entered its final testing stage at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in the USA, and BMW will debut the all-electric iX5 first, expectantly by early 2027. This will be followed by hydrogen, petrol, diesel and plug-in-hybrid versions of the new-gen X5 in 2028.
Fifth-generation BMW X5: Powertrain options
iX5 will debut by early 2027 with the largest-ever battery in a BMW EV
BMW has revealed that the upcoming iX5 will sport a 144kWh battery (usable capacity) for the American market, while the European market will have a 141kWh battery. These choices are the largest for any all-electric BMW to date. In comparison, the iX3 gets a 112kWh battery, followed by the iX with a 105.2kWh battery.
The manufacturer has also revealed that the iX5 will be offered with a dual-motor setup, but the official specifications are yet to be revealed. However, our sister publication Autocar UK has learned that the eSUV’s rear motor will produce 330hp and 500Nm, while the front motor will produce 248hp and 305Nm. Together, the motors will have a system output of 572hp and 805Nm. Autocar UK also said that the EV does a 0-100kph run in 4.6 seconds.
All versions of the upcoming X5 are being built on BMW’s CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform. But for the EV, BMW has upgraded the platform’s electricals to an 800V architecture, which supports the sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology debuted with the iX3, which features a new high-voltage battery concept with cylindrical cells.
iX5 Hydrogen and other ICE powertrains to debut in 2028
The fifth-generation X5 will be the first BMW model to get a production-spec hydrogen-powered model, which will debut in 2028. BMW has been developing its fuel cell vehicle technology with Toyota, and while the first concept car under this collaboration debuted in 2019, the test and pilot fleet hit the roads in 2023. These concept cars produce 401hp and have a WLTP-claimed range of 504km. Currently in the third generation, the fuel cell system consists of seven high-pressure tanks made of a carbon-fibre composite and is integrated in parallel into a robust metal frame. BMW says that this setup does not hamper cabin space.
Other than these two powertrains, the next-generation X5 will also be available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, like the current model. While the exact specifications of these powertrains are yet to be revealed, BMW used the X5 40 xDrive (400hp), X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid (490hp) and iX5 60 xDrive EV (578hp) for the pre-production media drives.
BMW has also revealed that the G65-generation X5 will sport the ‘Heart of Joy’ control unit, which ‘acts ten times faster than previous systems’ and offers ‘remarkable agility, poise and precision’. On the EV and FCEV versions, it will also allow smoother stops and greater energy recuperation during deceleration.
Adaptive dampers will be standard on the SUV. The iX5 and X5 PHEV will be offered with an optional Adaptive M Suspension Professional package, including rear-axle steering, active roll stabilisation, and two-axle air suspension with electronically controlled dampers, for a more dynamic driving experience.
Fifth-generation BMW X5: Exterior and interior design
Will borrow a lot of design elements from the smaller iX3
Like the platform, both the ICE and EV iterations of the fifth-generation BMW X5 nameplate will share the Neue Klasse design language that debuted with the iX3. Although clad in camouflage, the ‘Snake Eye’ LED headlights, connected by a slim black grille and slim LED taillights, can be seen on the test mules. BMW has also confirmed 23-inch alloys with the new-gen X5.
The prototype images revealed that the interior design would borrow some elements from the iX3, including the Panoramic iDrive display that spans the length of the windshield, a ‘Free-cut Design’ 17.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a polygonal steering wheel. More design details are expected to be revealed as the X5 nears its global debut.
While the G65 X5's India launch is expected to happen after its global debut timelines, it will be interesting to see which powertrains make their way to the country. Currently, the fourth-gen X5 (G05) is offered in India with a 381hp, 3-litre 6-cyl turbo-petrol and a 286hp, 3-litre 6-cyl diesel engine, priced from Rs 95.40 lakh to Rs 1.11 crore (ex-showroom).
Uday Singh
Dhruv Dhaka
Glenn Noronha
