1. Home
2. BMW
3. iX / iX5

MSRP

HIGHS

LOWS

VERDICT

The BMW X5 has been offering a unique blend of sophisticated luxury and sublime driving dynamics since it was released back in 1999, and now an electric powertrain has found its way under the latest fifth-generation model's reworked sheet metal for the first time. The new BMW iX5 adopts the company's Neue Klasse styling language, which is proliferating throughout the brand's contemporary lineup. Its underlying electric architecture is more advanced than anything that we've seen come out of Munich thus far.

At launch, the iX5 60 xDrive will be the only model available, topping the entire X5 trim hierarchy with its 570-hp dual-motor electric powertrain. A 141-kWh battery pack comprised of cylindrical cells is said to afford the 60 xDrive an estimated 435 miles of range, and its 800-volt architecture should yield some blazing-fast DC charge times.

Expert Tip: If you like the idea of having some electric driving capability but aren’t ready to commit to a full EV just yet, the 2027 BMW X5 will also be available as a plug-in hybrid.

The BMW X5 has offered several different powertrains in the past, but this is the first time in the model's history that there's a version motivated solely by electricity. The iX5 will make use of BMW's newest Gen6 800-volt electrical architecture, which also features more energy-dense cylindrical battery cells and improved charging capabilities.

• EV Motors: 570-hp dual motor
• Drivetrain: all-wheel drive

The iX5 60 xDrive features one electric motor on each axle, granting it all-wheel drive. The one at the rear serves as the primary drive motor, delivering 325 horsepower to the rear wheels. The front motor can decouple under low-load conditions and re-engage when its additional 245 horsepower is called upon.

During our drive of the iX5, we found it to offer smooth and quiet power delivery, but didn’t enjoy the ride quality as much as in the standard X5. The iX5 rode more stiffly, and its extra weight compared with the gas-powered model is felt in its slightly more ponderous handling.

• C/D-Estimated 60-mph Time: 4.3 seconds

In Comparison: We predicts that the iX5 60 xDrive will be able to dash to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, which means it likely won’t match the fierce acceleration of some of its more powerful competitors.

• Max Towing: 6000 pounds

The maximum towing capacity of the iX5 is a reasonably stout 6000 pounds. The Porsche Cayenne Electric has it beat, though, boasting a 7716-pound max towing figure.

• Claimed EV Range: 435 miles

According to BMW, the iX5's large 144-kWh battery pack with its new-and-improved cylindrical cells should grant the 60 xDrive 435 miles based on the EPA testing cycle. We'll have to wait until we get one in for testing to confirm that claim.

With a maximum charge rate of 460 kW, BMW says that charging from 10 to 80 percent takes just 22 minutes, and that 170 miles of range can be added in only 10 minutes on a high-output DC fast charger. A NACS port comes standard. The iX5 is also capable of bidirectional charging, meaning that power can flow out of the onboard battery to power external devices.

First Row: The iX5's interior has been entirely revamped as a part of the larger X5 lineup's generational redesign. As is to be expected from BMW, the pillars of a luxury cabin are present; the interior feels well-constructed from premium materials, the cabin layout is attractive and ergonomically pleasing, and standard front seats are upholstered in either Veganza or optional BMW Individual Merino leather.

Second Row: Given the fact that the new X5 rides on a longer wheelbase, sports a lower roofline, and is a bit wider than the outgoing model, it’s no surprise that there's a bit of extra space for rear-seat passengers.

Cargo Capacity: The iX5 fits 27 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats up and 68 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. We’ll update this section with our own carry-on suitcase data once we have the chance to test its cargo-carrying abilities firsthand.

• Infotainment: 17.9-inch touchscreen (standard), 14.6-inch passenger display (optional)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Audio System: 12-speaker Professional stereo (standard), 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound audio system (optional)

The iX5 is decked out in the latest and greatest that BMW has to offer from an infotainment and interior technology perspective. A 17.9-inch trapezoidal touchscreen takes on infotainment duties in the center of the dash, and a new 14.6-inch passenger display is available as an optional extra. The most groundbreaking addition to the iX5's interior is the new Panoramic Vision display, which takes important vehicle information—such as the speedometer and battery charge indicator—and places it on a thin display at the base of the windshield that spans the full width of the dashboard.

A host of driver-assistance features is offered on the iX5, many of them standard. If you want BMW's Highway Assistant hands-free driving system, though, you'll have to add that as an option.

• Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control
• Optional Safety Features: adaptive cruise control with a hands-free driving mode, self-parking feature, 360-degree exterior camera system

For information about the iX5's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

The iX5 comes standard with the same warranty coverage as BMW's other electrified models, which means basic coverage for four years or 50,000 miles and more generous protection for the electric-vehicle components. All new BMWs also come with a three-year complimentary maintenance plan.

• Limited Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
• Battery Warranty: eight years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary Maintenance: three years or 36,000 miles

• Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below