BMW unveils fifth‑generation X5 SUV offering five distinct powertrain options

BMW is preparing the launch of the fifth‑generation X5 SUV, now in the final testing phase near its Spartanburg plant in the United States. The model will be available with five different powertrain configurations: traditional gasoline engines, diesel engines paired with a 48 V mild‑hybrid system, a plug‑in hybrid, a fully electric iX5 and, from 2028, a hydrogen‑fuel‑cell version.

The fully electric iX5 will use BMW’s sixth‑generation eDrive technology, featuring an 800 V architecture and a 141 kWh cylindrical‑cell battery – the largest in a BMW electric vehicle to date – delivering up to 578 kW (778 hp). The hydrogen variant will incorporate third‑generation fuel‑cell stacks and flat‑storage hydrogen tanks built into the same production line as the other versions. Additional technical upgrades include adaptive chassis control, electronic damping and new driver‑assist systems derived from the Neue Klasse platform.

BMW positions the X5’s diverse drivetrain lineup as a strategy to meet varied customer preferences and infrastructure conditions while maintaining the SUV’s premium performance characteristics.