2027 BMW iX5

Change is always a risk, but so too is playing it safe. From the first moment you look at the new 2027 BMW iX5, it's clear the Bavarians weren't interested in the latter. From the big X'd-out headlights to the screen-heavy infotainment system, there's a lot to take in with the iX5, which serves as the all-electric version of the new BMW X5. After getting behind the wheel, I can certainly say that the iX5 — which goes on sale soon to compete against the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and Rivian R1S — certainly doesn't feel behind the times. 

Design and powertrains are a hit

Aside from the door handles, which are little nubs with an electronic release that — in my experience with them — never worked every time I pulled them, the rest of the design looks pretty good to my eyes. I'm a particular fan of the new front end. The grille is smaller and feels like a throwback to BMWs from the '70s, and the new X headlights are a bold choice for a car like this. They help the iX5 stand out, even if not everyone is a fan. The good news is that you can disable the accents if you really hate them.

The iX5 is also launching in a single trim level, the all-wheel-drive iX5 60 xDrive. It's built on an 800-volt platform, meaning it's both efficient and charges quickly — with a 144-kWh battery, it should also offer plenty of range. BMW just announced an impressive 450-mile EPA-estimated range, which would put it among the best in its class. Since BMWs typically overperform their EPA ratings on our real-world Edmunds EV Range Test, I suspect the iX5 might go even farther than the feds suggest. 

Charging appears to be mighty impressive, too. With all of the new hardware, BMW says the new iX5 can peak at 460 kW of charging. Notably, that's faster than just about every public EV charging station out there, including the 350-kW chargers I use for the Edmunds Edmunds EV Charging Test. In theory, it should be able to max out the speeds on our chargers, so we might have a new leader on the board in the future. 

Quick, but the ride is a little too sporty

BMWs have always been sportier and better to drive than most rivals, and the good news is that hasn't changed. The accelerator is very responsive, making the iX5 feel zippy and quick around town and on the freeway. BMW offers excellent regenerative braking and full one-pedal driving, though you don't have to use regenerative braking if you prefer not to.

I also tried BMW's hands-free driver assist technology. In short, it works well in practice, but systems like this never feel totally trustworthy. It's as easy to activate as any other cruise control system, and when you get the little hands-free notification, you can just sit there with your eyes on the road. It's good at lane centering, and it will even change lanes automatically. That's where I start to get nervous. I've never had an incident, but I just can't fully give myself over to the machine. 

The one thing I didn't love was the iX5's ride. It's fitted with an air suspension as standard, but the ride quality is notably stiff. It's not harsh, but the iX5 could never fully tune out bumps or imperfections in the road.  That 144-kWh battery pack is large and heavy, and the suspension can only compensate so much. If a pillowy soft ride is high on your list of priorities, the gas-powered X5 is lighter and has a more compliant ride.

New interior: Your mileage may vary

The interiors of BMW's newest models are huge departures from what came before. The design is dominated by the new infotainment system and panoramic head-up display. There's no gauge cluster in front of the driver. All of that information is projected along a black bar at the bottom of the windshield. There's also a massive touchscreen right in the middle. 

Simply put, the new system is a lot. It's heavily reliant on the touchscreen, which controls nearly every major function, including things like adjusting the air vents, buried in the display. The learning curve is steep, but the system is responsive and intuitive to navigate. There are just a lot of menus to go through and a lot to discover.

It's a little too reliant on the touchscreen for my tastes, though I like the level of customization available for the panoramic display. I just don't like having to take my eyes off the road to look at a screen to adjust the climate control. The new system has a robust voice command system, but it's slow to react. Plus, not everyone wants to talk to their car. 

The available passenger display feels like a gimmick, too, especially since it's unfiltered and can easily distract the driver. Even if you don't want to, you can't help but glance over when the passenger is trying to watch YouTube. The driver monitor can spot it and will just turn off the screen, which makes the whole thing feel redundant and useless.

At least the seats are comfortable. They're well padded and offer excellent adjustment. Both rows are spacious, too, with plenty of room to stretch out and move around. There's a decently sized center console, and the available wireless charging pad has a MagSafe magnet to keep your phone in its place.

A top contender in its class

The iX5's starting price of $81,250 more or less lines up with that of the outgoing BMW iX. The iX5 comes well equipped, but options can add up quickly. A set of 21-inch wheels is standard, but you can spend thousands on 22- or 23-inch wheels. The advanced driver aids and parking assist features are also extras. 

The iX5 goes against EVs like the Lucid Gravity, Rivian R1S and Volvo EX90. The Lucid and Rivian both start around the same price as the BMW, but the Volvo is a touch cheaper and less tech-forward. We're sure Mercedes-Benz will have a newer entrant in this class sooner or later, as the EQE SUV feels a bit dated now.

I really can't wait to get the iX5 in for testing, as I want to see how BMW's claims shake out in our real-world tests. On paper, the range, charging speed, and overall performance make it a compelling EV and one of the most impressive electric vehicles I've seen from an established automaker. 

There's a lot going on with the new iX5, and while things like the touch-sensitive door handles and touchscreen-heavy controls frustrate me, when I'm actually behind the wheel, those annoyances fade. I need some more time with it to know if it's the best SUV in its class, but my initial impressions tell me it's at least very close.