2027 BMW iX5 First Drive Review: Better Than The Gas One
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The 2027 BMW iX5 60 xDrive is an upcoming electric midsize SUV with a 144-kWh battery, a company-estimated 435-mile range and a claimed 10%-to-80% charging time of 22 minutes under ideal conditions. The Drive’s first-drive review found its low-speed acceleration and ride more appealing than those of the comparable gas X5, though the electric model costs $7,700 more and its final range and charging performance remain subject to confirmation.

BMW’s 2027 iX5, an all-electric version of its midsize SUV, is expected to arrive with a 144-kWh battery, a preliminary range estimate of 435 miles and a starting price of $81,250 delivered. In a first-drive report, The Drive said the iX5 felt quicker at ordinary speeds and rode more comfortably than the comparable gas-powered X5, while noting that BMW’s range figure is not yet a final published rating.

The first version, the iX5 60 xDrive, uses a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system rated at 579 horsepower and 593 lb-ft of torque. BMW lists a curb weight of 6,347 pounds and a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.6 seconds. The Drive reported that the electric SUV weighs about 1,200 pounds more than the mild-hybrid X5 40 xDrive, but said its low-speed response and handling felt well suited to the added mass.

BMW says the iX5 can charge from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes under ideal conditions, using an 800-volt electrical system with a peak DC charging rate of 460 kW. The Drive said it observed the reported charging performance during its drive, and reported BMW’s claim that a 10-minute stop within that charging window can add up to 170 miles of range. The outlet also cited BMW’s account of a real-world test reaching 500 miles; that result is separate from the company’s preliminary 435-mile estimate and was not presented as an official range rating.

The iX5 is priced at $81,250 delivered, $7,700 above the equivalent all-wheel-drive gas X5, according to the report. Its listed cargo capacity is 23.1 to 65.3 cubic feet, with an additional 1.87-cubic-foot front trunk. BMW plans to offer the large battery first; the company is still considering whether smaller battery versions will follow.

At a glance
reportWhen: First-drive review published ahead of t…
The developmentThe Drive published a first-drive review of BMW’s upcoming 2027 iX5, reporting its preliminary range, charging figures, price and driving impressions against the gas-powered X5.

Range and Charging Shape the Case

The iX5’s headline figures address two common concerns for buyers weighing an electric SUV: how far it can travel between charges and how long a stop might take. A 435-mile preliminary estimate would put the vehicle in long-range territory, while the stated 22-minute 10%-to-80% charge time could make some longer trips easier to plan. Those numbers depend on conditions, and the peak charging rate is not a sustained rate across the full session.

The comparison with the gas X5 also gives shoppers a direct choice within the same vehicle line. The Drive’s reviewer judged the EV’s immediate torque and lower center of gravity to make it more satisfying in everyday driving, but the electric model’s price premium and heavy battery are part of the trade-off. A smaller-battery version could lower the entry price, but BMW has not committed to one.

The report is a first-drive assessment, not a full independent long-term test. Its impressions offer an early view of how the iX5 drives, while questions about final range certification, performance across different charging conditions and ownership costs remain open.

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An Electric X5 Joins the Lineup

The iX5 is the electric counterpart to BMW’s fifth-generation X5, sharing much of the cabin and bringing the company’s Neue Klasse design language to the midsize SUV. The Drive described the exterior as a restrained update rather than a complete visual break from the familiar X5 shape. Inside, the outlet found the electric and gas versions largely alike, with a screen-focused layout and relatively few physical buttons, alongside physical controls for some functions.

BMW’s new Gen6 battery cells are described by the company as 20% denser than those of its predecessor. The report also cites a drag coefficient of 0.28 and an 800-volt system as contributors to range and charging capability. Chief Engineer Michael Ahlers told The Drive that keeping a front trunk was a firm requirement in development; the resulting space is modest at 1.87 cubic feet.

The Drive rated the iX5 8 out of 10. BMW supplied the publication with the vehicle and paid for travel and accommodation for the review, a disclosure included in the original report. The assessment reflects a brief first drive rather than a long-term ownership test.

“The iX5 has a preliminary maximum range estimate of 435 miles.”

— BMW, as reported by The Drive

Final Range and Versions Remain Open

BMW’s 435-mile range figure is preliminary, and the report does not provide a final certified rating or explain the conditions behind BMW’s separate 500-mile test. Real-world range and charge times can vary with driving speed, weather, battery temperature, charger capability and other factors. The reported 460-kW peak should not be read as the rate maintained throughout a charging session.

BMW has not said whether it will sell a smaller-battery iX5, when such a version might arrive, or how its price and range would compare. The report also does not establish long-term efficiency, real-world ownership costs or how the vehicle performs over extended testing. Those details will require further information and testing after launch.

Launch Details and Testing Ahead

BMW plans to launch the iX5 in 2027, beginning with the 60 xDrive and its 144-kWh battery, according to the report. Buyers and prospective owners will need to wait for final specifications, range certification and the company’s production and availability details. BMW may also decide whether a smaller battery option makes commercial sense, but has not announced one.

Further reviews can test the early impressions against longer drives, varied weather and public fast-charging sessions. Those results should help clarify whether the preliminary range and charging claims translate into routine use and how much the electric model’s higher starting price matters alongside its performance and ride advantages.

Key Questions

What is the estimated range of the 2027 BMW iX5?

BMW gives the iX5 a preliminary estimated range of 435 miles. The report also cites a separate 500-mile result in a BMW real-world test, but does not establish that as the official range rating.

How quickly can the iX5 charge?

BMW says the battery can go from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes under ideal conditions. Its stated peak DC charging rate is 460 kW; peak power is not maintained throughout the session.

How much does the 2027 BMW iX5 cost?

The iX5 60 xDrive is listed at $81,250 delivered, according to The Drive. That is $7,700 more than the comparable all-wheel-drive gas X5 cited in the report.

Is BMW planning a less expensive iX5 with a smaller battery?

BMW is considering whether to offer a smaller battery, but has not confirmed another battery size or provided timing or pricing for a potential version.

Does the first-drive review prove the iX5 is better than the gas X5?

No. The Drive’s reviewer preferred the EV’s low-speed acceleration and ride during the first drive, but that is an attributed review judgment, not a conclusion that applies to every buyer or driving condition. The report does not provide long-term comparative testing.

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