While its local arm is busy preparing for the inaugural BMW Clubhouse Malaysia, folks at BMW Global just unveiled the latest generation of its original SUV model, the G65-gen BMW X5.
Entering its fifth generation in almost three decades, this ever-popular midsize SUV gains new looks and tech derived from the brand’s Neue Klasse lineup and up to five powertrain options, including the first-ever all-electric BMW iX5 with up to 845 km of WLTP range.
Neue Klasse Looks, Same CLAR Bones
Starting with the most obvious point, the new G65 X5 marks a departure in design over the previous G05-gen model, where Bimmer’s first SUV gains the same bold Neue Klasse design made popular by the new 2026 BMW iX3.
While most of its front part is carried over from the iX3 such as the clean front grille with a pair of small glowing kidney grille , the new X5 ups the ante with the new double-X light icons that combine the main LED headlights, turn signals, and DRLs into a single element.
The extroverted design (BMW’s own words, not ours) theme continues on the side, where you’ll notice that BMW designers have outright removed the conventional door handles and replaced them with unique wing-like ones located on the pillars. And depending on trim levels, you can spec the new X5 with wheels as big as 23 inches, although the standard 21-inch ones are quite big too.
Things are equally Neue Klasse-esque at the rear, where a pair of slim LED taillights don the tailgate, both feature a similar double-X theme up front, but the practical split tailgate is no longer available here. They are paired with sporty rear bumper garnishes, and the current top-spec X5 M60e tops it off with M5-esque quad tailpipes.
Despite this radical design change, the new X5 still rides on the same CLAR platform as its predecessor, and this includes the all-electric iX5 too. Having said that, the SUV does grow bigger over the previous model, now spanning 4,994 mm long, 2,000 mm wide, and 1,748 mm tall with a generous wheelbase of 3,035 mm.
Screen-Laden Interior
The Neue Klasse-ification of the X5 continues inside, where BMW has gone heavy on screens and premium touches, and again, most of them are carried over from the marque’s Neue Klasse duo.
The biggest highlight here is obviously the new dual-screen setup featuring a large 17.9-inch central infotainment unit and an optional 14.6-inch front passenger screen. Taking over the conventional meter cluster is BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive expansive HUD that debuted on the new iX3 and is now also featured on the new 7 Series facelift.
Then there’s the controversial vertical-spoke steering that also appears here, and unlike on the iX3, this is the default choice for all new X5s. That is unless you opt for the M Sport Professional package that swaps them for a more conventional M Sport steering wheel.
Rounding off the interior bits are a slew of premium materials, including slate trims, a massive panoramic glass roof spanning 2.6 square metres, ambient light strips, optional automatic doors, and many more.
Up to Five Powertrain Flavours
Another big highlight for the new X5 is the vast powertrain option BMW offered for this SUV, ranging from full combustion (ICE) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) to new energy options such as battery electric (BEV) and even hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV).
Starting with the two ICE options, the G65 lineup starts with the X5 40, featuring Bimmer’s tried-and-tested 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six B58 engine rated at 400 PS and 540 Nm, which is then mated to a 48-volt mild hybrid (MHEV) system that provides an additional 18 PS and 200 Nm of acceleration boost.
There’s also the diesel-powered X5 40d that swaps the petrol-powered B58 for the oil-burning B57 straight-six, delivering 313 PS and 670 Nm, and also features the same 8-speed ZF AT gearbox and the xDrive all-wheel-drive (AWD) system just like the X5 40.
Next are the two PHEVs, starting with the X5 50e that pairs a lower-rated B58 engine with a 197 PS and 280 Nm-rated electric motor for a combined output of 490 PS and 700 Nm. Juice is provided by a large 26.5 kWh battery pack that provides up to 102 km of pure electric range (WLTP).
The next PHEV is the top-spec X5 M60e, which gets a tuned-up B58 producing 426 PS and 540 Nm to deliver a sportscar-level total system output of 612 PS and 800 Nm. It allows this behemoth to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, at the expense of a slightly lower pure electric range of 98 km.
The latest addition is, of course, the new, all-electric iX5 60, powered by a dual-motor AWD setup that churns out 578 PS and 804 Nm to enable a quick century sprint time of 4.6 seconds—slightly slower than the flagship X5 M60e.
Equally eye-opening is the massive 141 kWh NMC battery pack the iX5 carries, which BMW claims is good for an impressive WLTP range of up to 845 km. And despite using the same CLAR platform, this EV SUV still benefits from the Neue Klasse’s 800-volt electrical architecture that enables quick DC charging at up to 460 kW—higher than the iX3’s 400 kW rate.
Having said that, a 10% to 80% charge still takes about 23 minutes for the iX5, which is expected given its ginormous battery size. AC charging, on the other hand, is capped at 22 kW, which fully charges the iX5 in about 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Last in the G65 lineup is the upcoming iX5 Hydrogen, which is set to feature an FCEV powertrain system that BMW co-developed with Toyota. Details are still scarce, but we’ve been told it will feature slimline hydrogen tanks that take up space in the floor enclosure, providing up to 750 km of driving range.
BMW also assures that the CLAR platform underpinned by the new X5 features a series of improvements, including adaptive dampers and steel springs as standard, while the iX5 gets the Neue Klasse’s Heart of Joy control system with Dynamic Performance Control.
There’s also the optional Adaptive Chassis Control system that adds air suspensions and rear-wheel steering at up to 3.5 degrees, while both the EV and PHEV variants get active roll stabilisation.
Smarter ‘Autonomous’ Driving
Rounding off our X5 launch feature is the upgraded Driving Assistant Plus package that comes standard across the lineup, featuring Level 2 semi-autonomous driving functionality plus other improved ADAS functions.
What’s new here are the highly-automated “Entry-2-Exit” hands-free highway and “Address-2-Address” city driving—both pegging on BMW’s new Symbiotic Drive concept and a dedicated digital map a la Navigation on Autopilot (NoA) systems featured on many Chinese EVs nowadays.
So folks, what do you think of the new G65-gen BMW X5? Is this the worthy successor to the well-received G05-gen model, or are those Neue Klasse-esque design bits too excessive for your liking?
