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| Expert Rating: 7.3/10 | Quick Specs | |
| Cars.com says: BMW’s dramatic makeover of its luxury mid-size SUV brings new styling, new user interfaces and a comfort-first approach to the driving experience. | Test vehicles: | 2027 BMW X5 and iX5 |
| Base prices: | $73,550 (X5) and $81,250 (iX5) | |
| X5 engine: | 394-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder with 48-volt mild-hybrid system | |
| iX5 powertrain: | Dual electric motors for 570 hp total | |
| iX5 driving range: | Approximately 450 miles | |
If you look back over the generations of the BMW X5, “familiar” is a word that could aptly describe the switch from one to the next. That all changes with the redesigned 2027 X5, which marks a dramatic break from its predecessors. The new X5 has BMW’s Neue Klasse design language that’s shared with the electric iX3; its interior screens and interfaces are also a big departure from before; and shoppers now have the option of an all-electric model in the iX5, which arrives in early 2027 following the gas-powered X5’s fall 2026 debut. Together, the dramatic change in usability is enough to convince customers to take their BMW dealer up on any predelivery education to understand how these new features work. But once you’re familiar with its features and technology, it works pretty well apart from a few interface-related issues.
At BMW’s invitation, I recently drove both the gas-powered X5 and the all-electric iX5 in Southern California, taking it on everything from the state’s wide freeways to its narrow canyon roads. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its own airfare and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.) Overall, the SUV duo is poised, comfortable and powerful, but current X5 owners might be left wondering what happened to the luxury SUV they know. Here are four things we like about the 2027 BMW X5 and iX5 and five we don’t.
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2027 BMW X5
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What Do We Like About the 2027 BMW X5 and iX5?
1. The Ultimate Comfort Machine
The X5 and iX5 models I drove had the optional height-adjustable air suspension, and the tuning delivered comfort-focused ride quality for passengers regardless of whether the SUVs were in the Personal (normal) or Sport drive mode. The Sport drive mode firms up both the suspension and steering, but this mode also avoids ride harshness — even when the SUV is fitted with 22-inch wheels and tires that are part of the optional M Sport Package Professional. The ride can get a bit bouncy at times, and even though the heavier iX5 didn’t seem quite as comfortable as the gas X5, it’s still cushy.
That’s partly because of the front seats, which BMW says have more padding in the bottom cushion and backrest than before. The extra cushioning is noticeable, but the seats still offer good support, and after most of a day spent driving or riding in the X5, I stepped out of the SUV none the worse for wear.
2. Power to Spare
BMW had the X5 40 xDrive and iX5 60 xDrive available to test at the event, and both deliver more than adequate acceleration. The X5’s turbocharged inline-six engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology is very smooth, and the eight-speed automatic transmission it pairs with responds readily to part-throttle kick downs. The response from the dual-motor electric powertrain in the iX5 60 xDrive is even more immediate, and it has plenty of power in reserve for high-speed passing.
| 2027 BMW X5 40 xDrive | 2027 BMW iX5 60 xDrive | |
| Powertrain | Turbo inline-six engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid system | Dual electric motors |
| Horsepower | 394 | 570 |
| Torque (pounds-feet) | 428 | 593 |
| BMW-estimated 0-60 mph (seconds) | 5.1 | 4.4 |
3. Interior Quality and Details
The X5’s interior can be trimmed in high-quality materials like real leather, as well as some unique ones like slate veneer for the center console and glass controls for things like the gear selector and door-mounted seat controls. It feels like a true luxury interior, albeit one that’s focused more on technology than ever.
4. Impressive Range and Charging Speeds
The iX5 has a big 144-kilowatt-hour battery pack that gives it a BMW-estimated 450-mile driving range, and the SUV’s 800-volt electrical architecture and cooling technology enable DC fast-charging speeds that allow it to add 170 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes, according to the automaker. Unlocking that speed is an impressive 460 kilowatts of charging power, but that much power isn’t readily available at most DC fast chargers.
Its household AC charging capability is strong, too, with an onboard charger that can accept up to 15.4 kW from a Level 2 charging system. Bear in mind, however, that you’ll need a dedicated 80-amp circuit and compatible charging hardware to achieve that rate from a home charging setup.
| 2027 BMW iX5 60 xDrive | 2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS400 SUV | 2027 Porsche Cayenne Electric | |
| Starting price | $81,250 | $91,400 | $111,350 |
| Horsepower | 570 | 355 | 435 |
| Battery size (kWh) | 144 | 118 | 113 |
| Estimated range (miles) | 450* | 312 | 322* |
| Max DC fast-charging rate (kW) | 460 | 200 | 390 |
| 10%-80% fast-charging time (minutes) | 22 | 31 | 16 |
*Manufacturer estimates
What Do We Dislike About the 2027 BMW X5 and iX5?
1. Polarization Problems
I had my sunglasses on for the vast majority of my driving, and the polarized lenses proved problematic for some of the X5’s tech features. The large head-up display image would disappear when my head was turned at a certain angle, and the right side of the Panoramic Vision display — which is really a projection onto the base of the windshield from a screen in the dash top — was a bit discolored by the lenses, too. This type of distortion from polarized sunglasses isn’t unique to the X5, but it was distracting nonetheless.
2. Too Much in the Touchscreen
The touchscreen interface for the 17.9-inch center display is fairly intuitive, and the system is quick to respond, but BMW has put a lot of functions that don’t need to be in a touchscreen here, to the detriment of usability. Perhaps the most egregious are the screen-based controls for the dashboard air vents, a needless complication. The touchscreen has a persistent menu bar at its base that has temperature controls for the driver and front passenger, as well as controls for quick switching between navigation, drive modes and car settings, among other features, but it’s a multistep process to do simple things like activating seat heating or ventilation.
3. No One-Pedal Driving for iX5
Despite having three selectable levels of regenerative braking plus an adaptive setting, there’s not the option for one-pedal driving. That means that even when on the High setting, which sheds speed aggressively when you lift your foot off the accelerator, you still have to press the brake pedal to bring the car to a full stop. I enjoy using one-pedal driving in certain situations like stop-and-go traffic, and it would be nice to have the same option in the iX5.
4. Questionable Passenger Screen Utility
With the optional 14.6-inch passenger screen, the front passenger can watch media or control the audio system, but those are among its relatively few functions. And with so much personalized media likely already available in a passenger’s phone, the screen makes even less sense.
5. Backseat Misses
Taller adults can fit in the X5’s backseat, but overall comfort is compromised by a couple of things. For one, the seatback doesn’t recline, which is a feature you can get in SUVs costing half as much. The trim on the lower rear of the front seats is hard, too, and my shins were pressed painfully against it when briefly seated in the backseat.
How Does the 2027 BMW X5 Compare to Prior X5s?
The 2027 X5’s Neue Klasse exterior styling cues, like a slim twin-kidney front grille, are among the most recognizable changes from the prior generation, but the interior gets an overhaul, too. The X5 had been gaining screen-based tech in recent years, with the prior generation incorporating a large rectangular panel for the instrument cluster and center display, and in the 2027 X5, the tech evolution continues. A new Panoramic Vision display stretches across the base of the windshield, and there’s a large 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and optional 14.6-inch passenger screen.
Besides more tech features, the new X5 is slightly more powerful; its turbo inline-six engine makes 394 hp and 428 pounds-feet of torque, which is 19 hp and 30 pounds-feet of torque more than before. According to BMW, the 2027 X5 40 xDrive accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds, versus 5.2 seconds for the 2026 X5 xDrive40i, which is essentially the same.
2027 BMW X5 Vs. the Competition
The X5’s main rivals, the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, have both been updated for the 2027 model year. The new X5 follows in their footsteps with its emphasis on screen-based tech; all three luxury SUVs offer front passenger screens, for instance. However, BMW differs from its competitors by offering the choice of a gas or all-electric powertrain in what is otherwise the same vehicle. And on the whole, this approach works well, with both the X5 and iX5 delivering a comfortable, luxurious experience, with just enough driving engagement to live up to the BMW badge on the hood. In these ways, it’s a lot like the X5s that have come before it, even if its design and some of its interfaces are quite different.
| 2027 BMW X5 40 xDrive Research | Shop | 2027 Audi Q7 Premium Quattro Research | Shop | 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE450 4Matic Research | Shop | |
| Starting price | $73,550 | $72,295 | $76,250 |
| Max. seating capacity | 5 | 7 | 7 (optional) |
| Powertrain | 394-hp, turbo inline-six;eight-speed automatic; AWD | 429-hp twin-turbo V-6; eight-speed automatic; AWD | 375-hp turbo inline-six; nine-speed automatic; AWD |
| City/Highway/Combined MPG | 24/28/26 | TBA | 19/24/21 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s New for the 2027 BMW X5? The X5 has been redesigned for the 2027 model year. It has new exterior styling, updated technology and interfaces and is now available with an all-electric powertrain in the iX5.
- How much range does the BMW iX5 offer? BMW says the 2027 iX5 has a driving range of approximately 450 miles on a full charge.
- How much does the 2027 BMW X5 and iX5 cost? The 2027 X5 has a starting price of $73,550, while the all-electric iX5 starts at $81,250 (prices include destination fee).
- When will the 2027 BMW X5 and iX5 go on sale? The gas-powered X5 arrives at BMW dealers in fall 2026, and the electric iX5 will follow in early 2027.
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