The BMW X5 basically invented the modern luxury SUV segment back in 1999, and now it’s entering its fifth generation with the broadest range of drive systems BMW has ever offered on a single model. The automaker made it official at BMW Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina, where the X5 has been built since day one.
If you’ve been tracking the Neue Klasse rollout, this is the moment it lands in BMW’s best-selling SAV. Here’s everything worth knowing before the X5 40 xDrive hits dealers this October.
Overview
- Fifth-Generation Redesign: New Neue Klasse design language brings a taller front end, vertically aligned Iconic Glow kidney grille, and double-X light icons to the X5 for the first time, while keeping the model’s signature SAV stance.
- Three Ways to Drive: The X5 nameplate now spans combustion, plug-in hybrid, and a V8 M Performance variant, with the X5 50e xDrive’s electric range climbing to 44 miles, about 15 percent more than the outgoing model.
- Phased Launch Starting This Fall: The X5 40 xDrive arrives first in October 2026, starting at $72,100, with the X5 40 and X5 50e xDrive following in Q1 2027 and the M Performance variant later in the year.
Three Drivetrain Offerings
The 2027 X5 lineup will offer:
Combustion: the X5 40 and 40 xDrive, powered by a reworked 3.0-liter inline-six with 48V mild hybrid assistance.
Plug-in hybrid: the X5 50e xDrive.
M Performance: a V8-powered “M Lite” variant scheduled for later in 2027. Click here for more on the differences between M Sport, M Performance, and M.
That’s the widest spread of X5-specific powertrains BMW has offered on this nameplate, giving buyers a real choice between a traditional inline-six, plug-in flexibility, or (eventually) V8 performance.
Rollout Timeline and Pricing
BMW is staging the X5 launch in phases:
October 2026: X5 40 xDrive arrives first
2027 Q1: X5 40 and X5 50e xDrive PHEV follow
2027 Q2–Q4: the V8 M Performance variant
Pricing starts at $69,800 for the rear-wheel-drive X5 40, $72,100 for the X5 40 xDrive, and $77,500 for the X5 50e xDrive PHEV. Add a $1,450 destination and handling charge to each. You can design your 2027 BMW X5 online or with the help of our BMW Client Advisors at ONYX Automotive. If you want to see how those trims stack up against what’s currently on the lot, our BMW Client Advisors at ONYX Automotive can walk you through current BMW X5 inventory and pricing today.
A New Face, Front and Center
The design leans hard into Neue Klasse language while keeping the X5’s signature stance. The front end is noticeably taller, with a vertically aligned BMW kidney grille featuring what BMW calls Iconic Glow, plus new double-X light icons that combine the headlights, daytime running lights, side lights, and turn signals into a single unit — a BMW first. Horizontal air intakes on the front apron emphasize the sportiness of the combustion and PHEV models.
Around back, slim rear lights echo the double-X theme and stretch nearly the full width of the tailgate.
Buyers who want a sharper edge can step up to the M Sport Package or the more aggressive M Sport Package Professional, which adds 22-inch Trigon wheels, red M Sport brakes, and an M leather steering wheel.
Interior: Slate, Glass, and a Windshield Full of Information
The cabin is where the Neue Klasse influence really shows. BMW Panoramic iDrive projects driving information and personalization content across the full width of the lower windshield, working alongside a 17.9-inch free-cut Central Display and the standard 3D Head-Up Display.
Material choices get more interesting too. For the first time in an X5, BMW is offering genuine slate as a decorative surface on the center console, paired with crystal glass on the gear selector and volume controls in the optional Clear & Bold interior package. A new optional Passenger Screen lets the front passenger stream video or join a call while the vehicle is moving, with an interior camera automatically dimming the display if it detects driver distraction.
Rear-seat passengers benefit from a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase, translating to more knee room and a flatter seating angle for longer trips.
The X5 50e: More Electric Range, Same Familiar Formula
For buyers who want a taste of electrification without going fully electric, the X5 50e xDrive pairs the inline-six with a 194 hp electric motor for a combined 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. It’s rated at up to 44 miles of all-electric range, roughly 15 percent more than the outgoing model, and can hit 87 mph on electric power alone.
Driver Assistance and Chassis Tech
The new X5 comes standard with Driving Assistant Plus for adaptive cruise, lane centering, and speed adaptation. Buyers can step up to the optional Highway Assistant, which allows hands-free driving on approved highways at speeds up to 85 mph.
On the chassis side, adaptive suspension is now standard across the lineup, and an optional adaptive two-axle air suspension allows the driver to raise or lower ride height for clearance or easier loading.
Meet the iX5: An All-New, All-Electric SUV
The iX5 is a separate model line based on the same platform as the X5. It shares the same generation of Neue Klasse technology and design cues, but gets its own nameplate with its own dedicated engineering underneath, including an estimated 435 miles of range and ultra-fast 460 kW DC charging. It’s also the first electric vehicle to come out of Plant Spartanburg, which is a notable milestone in its own right.
We’re giving the iX5 the full breakdown it deserves in a dedicated post on DriveONYX, covering its Gen6 battery technology, charging speeds, and what bidirectional charging actually means for owners day to day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the 2027 BMW X5
When does the 2027 BMW X5 go on sale?
The X5 40 xDrive launches first in October 2026, with the X5 40 and X5 50e xDrive following in the first quarter of 2027.
How much does the 2027 BMW X5 cost?
Pricing starts at $69,800 for the X5 40, plus a $1,450 destination and handling fee.
Will there be a V8 X5 for 2027?
Yes, BMW has confirmed a V8-powered M Performance variant scheduled to arrive later in 2027.
What’s new about the X5 50e’s electric range?
The X5 50e xDrive is rated at up to 44 miles of all-electric range, about 15 percent more than the previous generation.
Where can I see or reserve a 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter?
Interested buyers should act early. Contact one of our BMW Client Advisors at ONYX Automotive directly to start your new build or get detailed information on availability.
The 2027 X5 is a meaningful step forward for BMW’s most important SAV, with a new look, a redesigned interior, and three distinct ways to get behind the wheel. Our team at onyxautomotive.com can help you compare trims, get on the list for early allocation, and answer questions specific to your situation as launch dates get closer.
Stay tuned for our dedicated post on the all-electric iX5, coming soon to DriveONYX.
