Sometimes when a brand releases a "new" version of an established model, especially a best-seller, it is hard to tell what has actually changed. That is not the case with the 2027 BMW X5. Almost unrecognizable from its predecessor, it reinvents one of BMW's most significant SUVs. Its styling will not be for everyone, but its impressive technology and luxury should win over anyone on the fence.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The X5's new look is part of BMW's Neue Klasse movement, which began with the smaller iX3. It also inherits that car's Panoramic Vision system, an ultrawide head-up display spanning the dashboard from pillar to pillar. Combine that with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that work seamlessly with the driver, and you have a compelling package.
While BMW will eventually offer a plug-in hybrid, the all-electric iX5, and even a hydrogen version, the 2027 X5 launches in 40 xDrive trim with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine. The base price is $73,550, including destination.
For this 2027 X5 review, BMW provided a test vehicle equipped with 40 xDrive trim and the following significant options:
The test vehicle’s manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $93,900, including the $1,450 destination charge to ship the SUV from the Spartanburg, South Carolina, assembly plant to a local dealership. The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since BMW manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Tim Stevens
BMW has not shied away from controversial designs in recent years, and the 2027 X5 is the latest model that will leave some would-be buyers shaking their heads. Its hallmark is its new, broad face punctuated by integrated signature lights that form the letter “X”, a not-so-subtle nod to the vehicle's name.
From the side and rear, it makes a subtler impression, but it still stands out from the crowd. The interior is every bit as dramatic, though I think it is much easier to love. The low, wide dashboard creates an open feel, and the interior is roomy and comfortable overall.
The Vintage Coffee upholstery in my test car felt as good as it looked, and the dashboard's microfiber surfaces did, too. The large windshield and the panoramic sunroof above let in a ton of light, though the thick A-pillars do take up a good bit of your viewport.
The front seats are heated and optionally ventilated, working effectively at either end of the temperature spectrum, and offer generous padding that should keep you from squirming on long drives. The second row in this five-seater SUV is slightly roomier than before, with the extra 3 inches of length in the 2027 X5 over the previous generation paying off. There is also plenty of headroom and shoulder room back there.
Behind the second row, the X5 offers 27.3 cubic feet of cargo space, down from 33.9 cubic feet in the previous generation.
Photo: Tim Stevens
BMW's Operating System X runs across a wide range of displays in the 2027 BMW X5. It centers on the middle touchscreen, a 17.9-inch unit angled slightly left for easier reach from the steering wheel.
To the right of that is a 14.6-inch touchscreen for the passenger. That screen is optional, but the ultrawide Panoramic Vision display above is standard. It runs from pillar to pillar and includes the left gauge cluster and six configurable panels. Finally, there is a standard head-up display above it.
The 2027 BMW X5 includes the following standard features:
The SUV I tested included a few additional options, including an excellent Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
I have spent quite a bit of time in BMW's earlier SUVs, and the software experience is not radically different here. The layout has been streamlined, with quick access to buttons for tasks like opening the liftgate or changing drive modes.
That compensates for the general lack of physical controls. While there is still a physical volume control (a roller, not a knob), you cannot control many vehicle functions without using the touchscreen or relying on the in-car, AI-powered voice assistant.
That assistant is quite powerful, able to directly control many systems or open menus and interfaces to adjust those it cannot control. It also easily found local restaurants and even highlighted menu options.
Overall, the software worked well on the primary display, but I was not as impressed with the optional passenger display. It includes several streaming video apps, so whoever is riding shotgun can whittle away at their queue on the road.
The problem is that the display does not use the perspective-blocking feature used by the competition, which can make the display appear black from the driver's seat. Instead, the SUV detects when the driver looks toward the passenger display, then pauses the video and turns off the display completely.
It does not turn back on until the driver looks away, at which point the passenger needs to resume the video. It is certainly better than distracting the driver, but it is a bit frustrating to use. The passenger cannot control the navigation system or other vehicle features from that display, but they can at least select playlists and cycle through audio services.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The 2027 BMW X5 launches with the X5 40 xDrive trim, featuring a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It produces 394 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque. That is up from 375 hp and 383 pound-feet in the same engine used in the previous X5.
Power and fuel economy are up as well, with the 2027 X5 EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. In my mixed driving, I achieved 22.4 mpg.
Both power and efficiency are up, but so is vehicle weight. The 2027 X5 weighs 5,216 pounds, compared with 4,998 in the outgoing model. It is also roughly 3 inches longer.
It certainly feels bigger on the road. In tighter corners on twisty roads, the X5 did not struggle, but it did not feel particularly engaging either. Likewise, the engine offers good power, but the relaxed throttle response creates an overall lack of urgency. However, this is just the entry version. BMW has a long history of iterating on its cars and SUVs, dialing up the power, so a hot, M-badged X5 is sure to come.
Smoothness and comfort were the standout features of the X5 40 xDrive. My SUV had the optional air suspension, which did a great job of soaking up potholes and other road imperfections. Whether cruising through town or driving at highway speeds, the ride quality was stellar.
At those higher speeds, the X5's wind noise became noticeable. So did the road noise. I would not call it annoying, but it was definitely louder than I expected, given how smooth and refined everything else is.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The 2027 X5 includes BMW's latest active safety systems, including Driving Assistant Plus with Symbiotic Drive, which provides a strong, safe foundation. With the optional Driving Assistance Professional package, the system becomes one of the most advanced and easy-to-use driver assistance systems on the road.
The 2027 X5 includes the following features as standard:
Add the Driving Assistance Professional package to enable Highway Assistant, which lets you drive the X5 hands-off on highways at speeds up to 85 mph.
That system operates differently from many ADAS packages because it is designed to work with the driver. While it happily steered itself on the highway with my hands off the wheel, I could reach up and turn the wheel whenever I wanted to change lanes. Check your blind spot, and the car does not resist. It even turns on the turn signal automatically.
But if you do not look first, the car will resist the change and nudge you back into your lane. Likewise, you can press the throttle to speed up or even touch the brake pedal to slow down without disengaging the system.
It is meant to stay on constantly, working with you as you drive, and it works quite well. While it struggled a bit on one section of highway with bright, glaring sun and poorly painted lines, it otherwise moved smoothly in and through traffic.
As of this writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has conducted testing on the 2027 BMW X5.
According to the JD Power 2026 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the BMW X6 ranks highest in the Upper Midsize Premium SUV segment, with the Genesis GV80 and Porsche Cayenne ranked second and third, respectively.
According to the JD Power 2026 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the BMW X6 ranks highest in the Upper Midsize Premium SUV segment, with the Porsche Cayenne and Cadillac Vistiq ranked second and third, respectively.
Other 2027 X5 competitors include the Audi Q7, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Lincoln Aviator, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and Volvo XC90.
The 2027 BMW X5 40 xDrive is a smooth driving yet somewhat odd looking SUV. Many would-be buyers will likely find its appearance the hardest thing to get over, and its MSRP quickly ramps up as you add features. However, if you can handle the polarizing looks and price tag, the X5 offers stellar safety and technology that will not disappoint.
Tim Stevens is a veteran automotive and technology journalist with nearly 30 years of experience covering a wide range of topics, from smartphones to supercars. In addition to jdpower.com, his expert perspectives have appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including print, online, and broadcast television.
With a purposeful new design and some trail-ready upgrades, the 2027 Hyundai Tucson is pushing the brand's best-selling crossover SUV into more aggressive territory.
Read the Full Article
For more than 25 years, the BMW X5 has helped to define the luxury SUV segment. Now, the redesigned fifth-generation 2027 BMW X5 arrives with the automaker’s Neue Klasse styling, a roomier interior, ...See More
Read the Full Article
One of Lexus's most popular models, the NX crossover SUV is also one of the most affordable in the company’s lineup. The 2027 Lexus NX transitions to hybrid-only powertrains, and gets revised ...See More
Read the Full Article
The new 2027 BMW i3 boasts an estimated range of up to 440 miles, 400-kilowatt DC fast charging capability, bidirectional charging to a home or the grid, and next-generation technology.
Read the Full Article