The fifth-generation BMW X5 has been revealed, ushering in the biggest change yet for the Bavarian brand’s long-running SUV badge – including the release of the first fully-electric iX5 model, longer-range plug-in hybrids and even a hydrogen fuel-cell version alongside petrol and diesel choices.
BMW Australia head of product and market planning Brendan Michel told Chasing Cars that the new X5 would arrive in Australia in Q4 2026 with six-cylinder ‘40’ petrol and ‘40d’ diesel options, both with AWD.
It’ll be a longer wait for the electrified options, with the petrol-based plug-in hybrid and battery electric iX5 ‘60’ not due in Australia until mid-2027.
Visually, the new X5 marks a major break from the outgoing model, with a more upright, monolithic shape, a higher front end, illuminated kidney grilles and new X-shaped light signatures.
Inside, it adopts BMW’s latest Panoramic iDrive layout, a 17.9-inch central touchscreen, a wide windscreen-based display and an optional passenger screen.
Rear-seat space remains strong, the panoramic sunroof still opens, and boot space grows to 655 litres in most versions. However, two familiar X5 features are gone: the split tailgate has been deleted, and there is no longer a third-row seat option.
Michel said that, despite diesel demand dominating local sales of the outgoing ‘G05’ X5 generation, BMW Australia was planning for a roughly even split between the four powertrain types this time around.
Diesel and petrol variants of the X5 will retain their 3500kg towing capacity in Australia while the dual motor iX5 will be rated to haul 2700kg.
With all powertrains using an updated version of the outgoing X5’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform – and with ICE variants retaining familiar engines – the biggest technical change here is the iX5 60 xDrive grade, which nabs the sixth-gen eDrive tech and battery from the iX3.
Despite using CLAR, the iX5 runs an 800-volt electrical architecture and uses a large 141kWh (usable) NMC battery to provide a provisional WLTP range of up to 845km depending on configuration.
For now, the iX5 will be the most powerful X5 model, with the ’60’ grade producing a rear-biased 425kW and 805Nm from its dual motors – good for a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 sec, the brand says. Charging power peaks at 460kW DC.
Michel said the long range of the iX5 would give Australian buyers “a genuine alternative” to diesel or petrol power.
In the electrified corner, the iX5 will sit alongside the X5 50e plug-in hybrid, which combines BMW’s ‘B58’ 3.0-litre turbo inline-six petrol with a 145kW electric motor for combined outputs of 360kW and 700Nm.
BMW says the PHEV will provide an electric driving range of 86-102km, meaning many owners will be able to cover daily commuting without using petrol while retaining the flexibility of a combustion engine for longer trips.
The petrol X5 40 xDrive uses an updated 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, producing 294kW and 580Nm combined. It is capable of 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.3 seconds.
Meanwhile, the diesel-fuelled X5 40d xDrive will have the longest range of any X5 variant, and it’s still a punchy thing – with the 3.0-litre making 230kW/670Nm with a 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds.
Pricing is not yet confirmed, though Michel said BMW Australia would announce details in August and that each version would be positioned according to BMW’s “internal hierarchy” based on factors such as capability, range and performance.
That suggests BMW Australia is unlikely to price the iX5 as an expensive EV flagship, but that it will slot into the range in a competitive position.
Michel said the wide choice of powertrains for the X5 remained a “huge advantage” for BMW Australia, giving buyers flexibility as the market shifts and helping the brand balance emissions under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard.
A larger V8 engine is on the cards globally – as is a more powerful PHEV model in future.
BMW’s local planning boss would not confirm whether a future V8 X5 would come to Australia but said the powertrain “does very well” locally and that selling fully electric models could help offset the CO2 impact of higher-emission variants.
