2026 BMW X5 Review, Specs, Interior

2026 BMW X5 Review, Specs, Interior – The latest BMW X5, like its predecessors before it, has a fresh exterior design, an upgraded infotainment system, and more robust safety measures. The inside is just as luxurious as the exterior, which is modern and forceful.

Even though there aren’t many engine options, the ones that are present provide adequate performance without compromising fuel efficiency. The most cost-effective option for commercial drivers, however, remains hybrids. Although it may not be the most exciting large SUV available, the X5 is an excellent choice for those who place a premium on cabin room, ride quality, and luxurious upholstery. 2026 BMW X5 Review

2026 BMW X5 Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior & Interior

The latest BMW X5 is instantly recognizable, even though the model lines of most other German automakers do alter over time. For instance, it now features smaller headlights similar to the BMW X6, and an illuminated kidney grille is available as an option to match that car’s and the more costly BMW XM’s, all of which are in line with the current brand image. Not much has changed at the rear save for the addition of new taillights.

The most up-to-date X5 curved digital dashboard features a 12.3-inch driver display and a 14.9-inch center touchscreen display, both taken from the electric BMW iX. Even while the menu and temperature symbol are constantly visible, they won’t be as easy to use as the toggle controls in the Mercedes GLE. Instead than using the real buttons to adjust the temperature, it uses this. Additionally, there aren’t nearly as many customization choices on this digital driver display as there are on the Virtual Cockpit of the Audi Q7.

Inside, you’ll find first-rate craftsmanship, exquisite detailing, and premium materials. Sensafin, a synthetic leather, is used for the base upholstery, however real leather is available as an option. The iDrive controller, gear lever, and start/stop button are all constructed from polished glass. The most current version of BMW’s iDrive system is also worth mentioning; it serves its purpose but is getting increasingly complicated to operate.

An interesting feature available on the X5 is a panoramic sunroof that can be lit up by the stars at night. Furthermore, laser lights are accessible, and they can pierce through darkness for distances of up to 500 meters. If you own an X5 and long for a more rustic adventure, consider the Offroad pack. It offers underbody protection and four driving modes for different types of loose surfaces: sand, rock, gravel, and snow.

The infotainment setup includes both wired and wireless connections for systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The main interface, the iDrive controller, is located next to the gear lever. It lets you operate the 14.9-inch screen using wheel controls or touch screens. The screen’s graphics are crisp, and it responds fast to user inputs. There are less personalization possibilities on the 12.3-inch screen directly before of the driver compared to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit.

In addition to standard amenities like satellite navigation and a top-notch sound system, the X5 has an optional Harman Kardon setup with 16 speakers and 415 watts, making it ideal for serious music lovers. Or, for the most discerning listeners, a 1,500 watt, 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins diamond surround sound system would deliver even more crystal-clear audio.

2026 BMW X5 Specs

Engine & Performance

The latest BMW X5 nevertheless lives up to its legendary reputation for controlled, driver-focused handling. However, BMW states that the xDrive30d and xDrive40d diesel models may be customized with an optional ‘xOffroad’ package. Underbody protection protects against rocks and bumps, four separate loose-surface driving modes, and a mechanical locking differential that improves traction in wet and slippery conditions.

The X5’s off-road performance will ultimately fall short of that of a Range Rover Sport, and if you want to alter the ride height and overcome obstacles, you’ll have to shell out almost £5,000 for an optional adjustable suspension. However, for most owners, this shouldn’t be a problem.

The M Sport xDrive50e and other X5 models come standard with adjustable suspension, which allows for a quiet and pleasant ride that is suitable of a premium car. The vehicle’s noise-cancelling features provide for a peaceful and comfortable ride, especially while traveling at high speeds on highways. When running on electricity alone, the plug-in hybrid xDrive50e is even more silent, and it can stay that way for up to 65 miles.

We could hardly tell the engine was switching from gas to electric power in “Hybrid” mode, but when we switched to “Sport,” the noise level really increased. On the one other occasion we caught it red-handed, it was quickly speeding out of a junction, and we thought it could have given a little too much performance since it wasn’t controlling its power output to stay cool.

The xDrive50e has trouble navigating smaller urban speeds over speed bumps and potholes because of the larger 20-inch wheels and more weight of the battery pack. The trip, however, gets more bearable as the speed rises. We will update our review after testing an X5 with the original factory suspension.

With the exception of the X5 Sport, which places more power on the rear wheels for a sportier ride, all X5 trim levels come standard with the 4×4 ‘xDrive’ drivetrain and smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. As thrilling as driving a Porsche Cayenne is, competing SUVs like the Mercedes GLE and Volvo XC90 aren’t quite as much fun.

With the “Integral Active steering” option pack’s four-wheel steering, the X5 is more responsive at greater speeds and easier to park. Still, the X5’s handling was lacking in our book due to its inconsistent responses.

A 3.0 liter straight-six diesel engine with a single turbocharger and mild hybrid technology gives the xDrive30d its 293 horsepower. With a time of 6.1 seconds to 62 mph and a top speed of 145 mph (where the law permits) when the going gets difficult, it isn’t sluggish at all. Thanks to its twin-turbo version of the same engine, the xDrive40d produces 352 horsepower, which is significantly more powerful than the standard model. Even faster acceleration is available, with a 5.5-second sprint to 62 mph.

Impressive as it is, the xDrive50e can go from 0 to 62 mph in an only 4.8 seconds because to its electric motor and 3.0 liter gasoline engine, which together produce 483 horsepower. The M60i’s power is on par with that of supercars, with 523 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine and a 0–62 mph time of 4.3 seconds.

The M Competition variant of the X5 M’s V8 engine is a standalone unit, and it’s been fine-tuned to produce 617 hp and 750 nm of torque. It also takes an incredible 3.8 seconds to get from 0 to 62 mph. 2026 BMW X5 Review

2026 BMW X5 Fuel Economy

The plug-in hybrid xDrive50e is a great choice if you’re trying to minimize your running costs. The electric motor and the 3.0 liter six-cylinder gasoline engine are powered by a 25.7 kWh lithium-ion battery. As a result of the fantastic 65-mile all-electric range, the official fuel consumption number under WLTP testing is 313.9mpg. To get anywhere close to that amount, though, you’d need to charge the battery frequently. Throughout our long 450-mile journey, we managed an average of 43.5mpg on both gas and electricity.

With its low emissions of 20g/km, the xDrive50e is an excellent choice for business drivers who want to significantly reduce their monthly corporate vehicle taxes. Still, the plug-in hybrid Range Rover Sport P460e is eligible for a lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax bracket than the standard model because of its larger battery pack and greater range per charge.

The xDrive50e’s charging speed has been increased from 3kW, which was fairly slow in earlier generations, to 7.4kW, albeit it does not have the rapid charge capability of the plug-in hybrid Range Rover Sport. With the right rapid wallbox charger, it reduces the nine-hour charging time to four and a half hours.

Average fuel economy for the xDrive30d is 39.8 mpg, placing it in the same ballpark as the 300d Mercedes GLE and just above the D300 Range Rover Sport. Diesel X5s are costly for business use because they produce so much pollution; at 179g/km, they are in the highest Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax bracket. A more powerful diesel option, the 335bhp xDrive40d, nevertheless achieves 37.7mpg and 196g/km of CO₂ emissions.

The petrol-powered M60i is out of reach for all but the wealthiest people because of its poor fuel efficiency (24.4 mpg) and significant CO₂ emissions (263 g/km). The M Competition model is even worse, getting only 21.1mpg and producing 304g/km of CO2.

2026 BMW X5 Safety Features

Since it is one of the most recognizable SUVs from BMW, the latest X5 naturally has state-of-the-art safety features. The top-tier package, available as part of the BMW Driving Assistant Professional system with the Technology Plus Pack, offers autonomous features such as intelligent cruise control with lane-keeping assistance, the capacity to follow the flow of traffic (including lane-merging allowance), and more. The development of autonomous emergency braking and a system that can anticipate when a vehicle or pedestrian is going to have an accident and then change lanes accordingly are two further groundbreaking innovations.

All X5s come with a collision sensor that activates the fuel cut-off, warning lights, and central locking release, in addition to many airbags strategically located throughout the cabin. Electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and glaring LED headlights are standard, but now there’s a speed limit as well.

Euro NCAP gave the 2018 BMW X5 an excellent rating, so it’s no surprise that it has a comprehensive package of safety measures. Even though the X5 also received five stars in comparison testing, the Mercedes GLE was the superior vehicle in every respect. It should be noted that the 2022 Range Rover Sport, which was reviewed later that year, was also certified with five stars. Nevertheless, Euro NCAP’s stricter and more contemporary standards were utilized to arrive at this grade.

A dismal twenty-first place out of thirty-two manufacturers was BMW’s position in our top car manufacturer rankings, according to comments from our most current 2026 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. This allowed it to outperform Mercedes and Audi while falling short of Volvo and Porsche. 2026 BMW X5 Review

2026 BMW X5 Release Date & Price

Metallic paint and an option pack bring the price close to £70,000, while the business-car suited xDrive50e M Sport may reach £80,000. Even though it’s expensive, it’s far cheaper than the Range Rover Sport or GLE, which are similar models. The base M60i starts at £90,000 while the top-of-the-line X5 M Competition costs almost £130,000 (and that doesn’t even include the options list).

Note: Everything you see in the following article is based on information that was available before the product was even released. Official sources or your local dealership are the best places to get up-to-date information.