The BMW iX5 is the electric version of the fifth generation of BMW’s midsize X5 luxury SUV. It marks a big leap forward for the model in terms of technology, luxury, and, controversially, style.
2027 BMW iX5 Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2027 BMW iX5
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2027 BMW iX5
Everything. The iX5 is the first electric version of BMW’s popular mid-size crossover SUV. It’s just one of five powertrain types that will be offered, including mild-hybrid gas, plug-in hybrid, diesel, and even a hydrogen fuel cell. The iX5 gets a controversial new design, a larger body, a rethought interior with more screens, and more driver-assist technology.
Design
The iX5 sports a version of the Neue Klasse design that we’ve already seen on the smaller iX3. It features an elongated interpretation of the twin-kidney grille set within a sort of high-set black mask that is also home to X-shaped LED headlights. Don’t like the Xs? You can turn them into slashes. A large air intake is located down low.
The hood dips in the middle and widens toward the windshield, a theme that carries over into the roof. The sides have flattened wheel haunches and winglet door handles that open based on pressure. At the rear, wide taillights mimic the front mask, and the traditional split-folding tailgate gives way to a one-piece power liftgate. The iX5 comes standard with 21-inch alloy wheels, and 22s and 23s are available. In all, the look is more sculpted than the X5's was before, but it takes some big swings for style’s sake that may turn off some buyers.
Powertrain
The BMW iX5 will be offered as a 60 xDrive model with a sixth-generation electric powertrain. This dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup will produce 570 horsepower and 593 pound-feet of torque. The motors draw their power from a large 144-kWh battery pack. The battery uses cylindrical cells that BMW says have 20 percent more energy density than the fifth-generation prismatic cells. BMW quotes a range of 435 miles and says it used EPA procedures to arrive at that number.
An 800-volt electrical architecture will allow the iX5 to charge at a super fast rate of 460 kW if you can find a charger that fast. That will allow it to go from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes and add 170 miles of range in 10 minutes. A 15.4-kW on-board charger will allow it to charge relatively quickly on a 240-volt Level 2 home charger. The iX5 has a standard NACS port that will allow it to charge at Tesla Superchargers. It also has bi-directional charging so its charge can be used to power a home when needed.
Interior
The two-row BMW iX5 gets standard power-adjustable sport seats with synthetic leather upholstery and heating. A combination of synthetic leather and Alcantara synthetic suede will be offered with the M Sport package, and buyers will also be able to get seats with more power adjustments, ventilation, a massage function, and Merino leather upholstery.
The second-row seat gets more legroom thanks to a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase. Pillows will be available for the rear seats and rear center console, and heated outboard rear seats will also be offered. BMW hasn’t provided cargo space figures yet, but they improve upon the current model’s maximum of 72.3 cubic feet thanks to the longer wheelbase. A small front trunk leaves room for the charging cord but not much else. Soft-close doors come standard.
BMW outfits the iX5 with high-quality materials, including Alcantara on various surfaces, and newly available slate (yes, stone) on the center console.
Technology
The iX5 comes standard with a 17.9-inch touchscreen that handles the infotainment controls, while a BMW Panoramic Vision display that runs the width of the vehicle at the base of the windshield offers various types of content that can be customized in six widgets. This display substitutes for an instrument cluster and its widgets can be dragged and dropped from the center screen. A head-up display is also standard. The infotainment system responds to “Hey BMW” commands and has a BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant supported by Amazon Alexa+ AI technology. A 14.6-inch passenger touchscreen is optional, and it offers access to streaming video, TV shows, music, and games. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.
The standard audio system is a 280-watt, 12-speaker unit and buyers can get an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system with 775 watts of power. A digital key will also be offered.
Safety
The iX5 gets a healthy list of standard safety features, and more will be available. The standard kit includes forward collision warning with intersection assist, automatic emergency braking with evasion assist steering support, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, active blind-spot monitors, an exit-warning system, and side collision detection. Options will include automatic parking, remote automatic parking, and a surround-view camera system. Buyers will also be able to choose Highway Assistant, which requires the driver to pay attention as it handles the controls on highways at speeds of up to 85 mph; it also offers automatic lane changes that the driver confirms with a glance in the appropriate direction. With any of the driver-assistance features activated, BMW’s Symbiotic Drive can bring the vehicle smoothly to a stop using the electric motors.
Pricing and Release Date
The 2027 BMW iX5 60 xDrive goes on sale in the first quarter of 2027 with a starting price of $81,250, including a mandatory $1,450 destination fee. The gas-powered X5 40 xDrive will be the first X5 to hit the market when it arrives this October. A V8-powered M variant will arrive later in 2027, and a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered iX5 will come at a so-far undisclosed later date.
