Next-Gen BMW X5 Will Offer Five Different Powertrain Choices

The fifth-generation BMW X5, likely known internally as the "G65," will be offered with gasoline, plug-in hybrid, diesel (not in the United States), electric, and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. That will make it the most widely appealing vehicle in BMW's lineup. It's also one of the only vehicles on sale to offer this many fuel sources.

"By launching the new BMW X5 with a choice of five drive system variants, we are once again demonstrating our leading position as a technology pioneer. Hydrogen has an essential part to play in global decarbonization, which is why we are committed to driving the technology forward."

– Joachim Post, member of the board of management of BMW AG, development at BMW.

Staying Committed To Hydrogen

BMW will sell two electric versions of the X5. One will be a traditional battery electric vehicle with Gen 6 motors from the iX3, while the other features third-generation hydrogen fuel cell technology being co-developed with Toyota. The iX5 Hydrogen is set to arrive in 2028, but we don't know when other powertrains are expected to arrive.

That new fuel system is more compact, meaning it should improve range and output while reducing energy consumption. The current iX5 Hydrogen is only built in limited numbers as part of a pilot fleet, but based on the success of that program, the next one will be BMW's first-ever series-produced FCEV.

Few details about the next-gen BMW iX5 Hydrogen are known, but BMW is confident it will feel like a proper Ultimate Driving Machine. "The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be a true BMW – pioneering in its class and delivering the BMW typical driving pleasure," says Michael Rath, vice president of hydrogen vehicles for BMW Group.

The X5 Should Be Excellent

As we predicted, the next-generation X5 will feature a similar front end as the iX3, which will act as the new corporate face for BMW. Despite having the same exterior design as an EV, the X5 will still have gasoline engine options for those who want them. Based on what we've seen from spy shots, those should include a familiar turbocharged inline-six and a twin-turbo V8.

Inside, expect the G65 X5 to get the same Panoramic iDrive display that debuted in the iX3. The X5's touchscreen could be a bit larger, but the overall setup is broadly similar, showing how the iX3's technology will quickly ​​​​​spread across the BMW lineup.

BMW X5 Test Vehicle Spied In Public

Interestingly, just as BMW shared this news, our spy photographers caught a camouflaged X5 prototype testing in public. BMW's official "spy" shots are clearer, but they focus on a hydrogen prototype that is very clearly a test vehicle not remotely ready for production.

The on-road images capture an X5 with production taillights, which look similar to the iX3 but are more rounded at the corners. The hydrogen test vehicle still has bulky placeholder lights on the back, and on the sizes there are more prominent ridges down low. This could signify some design differences between combustion, electric, and fuel cell variants.

While we don't know exactly when the new X5 will appear, based on what we see in the latest spy shots we wouldn't be surprised to get a reveal sometime next year. Logic says more traditional powertrains will be revealed before the new hydrogen variant in 2028.