Key highlights:
- New X5 arrives with petrol and diesel powertrains in late 2026 in Australia
- Electric iX5 and plug-in hybrid X5 50e follow in 2027
- It adds Neue Klasse design, Panoramic Vision, larger 17.9-inch central screen
The fifth-generation BMW X5 crossover SUV is heading to Australia in late 2026, with big changes to the exterior design language, a wider track, and a larger central screen.
The new lineup has dropped the “i” from petrol variants and upgraded the ICE variants with more power and a 48V MHEV system.
The initial petrol and diesel versions are now priced and locked in for a Q4 2026 local arrival, while the updated PHEV and all-new iX5 EV variant will join the lineup in Q1 2027.
More power from both engines
Both Australian launch variants use a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system, which also assists the engine with up to 13kW of power and 200Nm of torque in short bursts from its 0.9kWh battery.
The 40d xDrive gains 20kW and 20Nm over the xDrive30d it replaces, and the petrol 40 xDrive adds 14kW and 20Nm compared with the outgoing xDrive40i.
| Specification | BMW X5 40d xDrive | BMW X5 40 xDrive |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel | 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol |
| Power output | 230kW (+20kW) | 294kW (+14kW) |
| Torque output | 670Nm (+20Nm) | 540Nm (+20Nm) |
| Drive type | All–wheel drive | All–wheel drive |
| Transmission | 8-speed AT | 8-speed AT |
| Acceleration (0-100km/h) | 6.1s | 5.3s |
| Kerb weight | 2430kg | 2365kg |
| Fuel consumption | TBC | 8.6-9.3L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 75L | 83L |
| Braked towing capacity | 3000kg | 3000kg |
Exterior: Neue Klasse design reaches the X5
The new X5 adopts BMW’s Neue Klasse design language, which gives it a “bolder, more monolithic” exterior treatment, including taller and narrower kidney grilles. The standard equipment on the exterior is:
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
- Power tailgate
- M Sport package
- M Sport brakes with blue callipers
- Adaptive M suspension
- Space-saver spare wheel
- Automatic doors (replacing soft-close doors)
Alpine White comes as the standard exterior paint, and for an additional $2000, buyers can choose Black Sapphire metallic, Vancouver Green metallic, Space Silver metallic, Mineral White metallic, Grey Pine metallic, Carbon Black metallic, and BMW Individual Dravit Grey metallic.
BMW Individual Tanzanite Blue costs an additional $4000.
Also read: Second-gen Tesla Roadster reveal finally confirmed for Oct 1
Interior: A major technology change inside
The fifth-generation SUV gets BMW Panoramic Vision, a display that stretches from pillar to pillar at the base of the windscreen, and BMW also retains a conventional head-up display.
The central infotainment screen grows from 14.9 inches to 17.9 inches, while the front passenger gets a separate display.
BMW also adds ventilated and massaging front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard.
The X5 40d xDrive and 40 xDrive offer three standard interior colourways: Black, Copper Brown, and Silverstone II
BMW Individual interiors cost $8300 and offer Black, Vintage Coffee, Smoke White, Adelaide Grey, and Tartufo. BMW Individual steering wheels only come with BMW Individual Smoke White upholstery.
Here is the list of interior standard equipment:
- Comfort Access with Digital Key Plus
- Parking Assistant Professional
- Surround-view camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- BMW Panoramic Vision
- 17.9-inch touchscreen
- Head-up display
- BMW Passenger Screen
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system
- BMW Digital Premium with three-year subscription
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wireless phone charger
- Power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, massage and memory
- Veganza leatherette upholstery
- Heated Sports steering wheel
- Ambient lighting
BMW gives both launch variants the same standard equipment regardless of engine.
Optional packages
BMW offers several packages and standalone options.
M Sport Pro package ($3600)
- M Sport brakes with red high-gloss or dark blue callipers
- M seatbelts
- M steering wheel
- Glass kidney grille in M Shadowline
- M-specific high-gloss black diffuser
- High-gloss black mirror caps
Comfort Package ($2300)
- Heat Comfort Package (front armrests, centre-console armrest, rear seats)
- Four-zone climate control
- Rear roller sunblinds
Standalone options
- Adaptive Chassis Control with adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering for $7000
- 22-inch Jet Black alloy wheels for $3400
- 22-inch aerodynamic wheels for $2700
- 22-inch aerodynamic wheels with M Sport Pro for $750
- 23-inch alloy wheels for $5400
- 23-inch alloy wheels with M Sport Pro for $2700
- Trailer tow hitch preparation for 3500kg braked towing for $2500
- Automatic doors for $2500
- BMW Individual leather-upholstered interior for $8300
- Clear&Bold interior applications for $1900
The $1900 Clear&Bold interior option adds polished crystal-glass elements to the gear selector, start/stop button and seat controls, plus a slate surround for the centre console.
Safety suite
The new-generation X5 has not yet received an assessment from ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Its standard safety equipment includes:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Automatic speed-limit assist
- Steering and Lane Control Assistant with lane-centring
- Surround-view camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Tyre-pressure monitoring
Australian launch and pricing
BMW Australia will introduce the fifth-generation X5 in the fourth quarter of 2026, between October and December, and the launch range will include two six-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrains: the diesel 40d xDrive and petrol 40 xDrive.
The diesel costs $4000 more than the outgoing X5 xDrive30d, while the petrol costs $2000 more than the outgoing xDrive40i.
| Model | Powertrain | Price (before on-roads) |
|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 40d xDrive | Turbo-diesel 48V MHEV | $143,900 |
| BMW X5 40 xDrive | Turbo-petrol 48V MHEV | $145,900 |
BMW will expand the range in the first quarter of 2027 with the electric iX5 (for the first time) and plug-in hybrid X5 50e xDrive. BMW has not announced pricing for either model.
BMW Australia provides a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, but the brand has not yet announced service pricing for the new-generation X5.
The X5 remains one of BMW’s key models in Australia, and more than 3.1 million examples have been sold globally since the first-generation model launched in 1999, including more than 80,000 in Australia.
BMW Australia delivered 3673 X5s last year, making it the brand’s third-best-selling model behind the X1 and X3.
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