New BMW X5 Offers Five Drive Systems for First Time. The iX5 60 Hits 845 km Range

In its fifth generation, the BMW X5 comes with five powertrain options, including a full-electric iX5 variant.

BMW launched the X5 in 1999. Now in its fifth generation, it has become the first BMW model with five drive systems: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, all-electric and hydrogen fuel cell.

Quick read:

• BMW's fifth-generation X5 has five powertrain types: petrol, diesel, PHEV, BEV, and hydrogen. The hydrogen option is new to the X5.
• A 141 kWh battery gives the BMW iX5 60 xDrive up to 845 kilometres of WLTP range.
• Up front, the vertical kidney grille and double-X light icons are the most visible changes; the electric-opening Winglets door handles round off the exterior updates.
• Production at BMW's Spartanburg plant in the USA is set to begin in August 2026.

The Five-Powertrain Milestone

The new X5 is BMW Group's first model to carry five distinct drive technologies. One nameplate, five powertrains. Mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines handle long-distance use; the all-electric iX5 covers zero-emission driving, the X5 50e xDrive and X5 M60e xDrive fill the plug-in hybrid slots between them.

BMW Group has scheduled the iX5 Hydrogen for a later market launch. The range covers every powertrain category currently on sale in the UAE.

The iX5 60 Electric Specs

A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup gives the iX5 60 xDrive 578 hp (425 kW) and 805 Nm. Zero to 100 km/h takes 4.6 seconds. On the WLTP cycle, range falls between 645 and 845 kilometres, with a 141 kWh high-voltage battery underneath.

The 800-volt architecture and sixth-gen eDrive technology support fast-charging at up to 460 kW, a 10-80% top-up takes 23 minutes. Ten minutes at a charger adds around 350 km. This battery pack uses cylindrical cells. A first for this platform.

Design and Technology Overhaul

Outside, this looks like an X5 that has been reading books on minimalism. BMW has applied its Neue Klasse design language, producing a shape that is more monolithic and imposing.

Up front, the vertically aligned BMW kidney grille draws attention first, with the Iconic Glow feature. New double-X light icons in the headlamps give it an unmistakable signature, BMW has not used this design before. Conventional door handles are gone. BMW Winglets open electrically instead.

Eleven exterior paint colours are available, five of them new: Space Silver metallic, Grey Pine metallic, Vancouver Green metallic, BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic and BMW Individual Frozen Space Silver metallic.

Inside, BMW Operating System X runs the cabin, replacing the software from the outgoing car.

Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid Options

Beyond those, combustion and hybrid variants fill out the lineup. The petrol X5 40 xDrive gets a 48V mild-hybrid system and 400 hp (294 kW). Its diesel counterpart, the X5 40d xDrive, uses the same mild-hybrid setup but produces 313 hp (230 kW). Two plug-in hybrids sit above them. The X5 50e xDrive and X5 M60e xDrive run on electricity for daily distances, then switch to petrol on longer runs.

All four variants share the same dimensions: 4,994 mm long, 3,035 mm wheelbase. Boot space runs from 650 to 1,850 litres.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Confirmed

BMW has confirmed the iX5 Hydrogen. It uses a third-generation fuel cell system and can cover up to 750 kilometres on a single fill. Energy is stored via BMW's Hydrogen Flat Storage system.

BMW has not announced a market launch date. When it does go on sale, the car will be BMW's first hydrogen-powered production vehicle. UAE hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is still sparse.