Next-Generation BMW X5 Revealed in Fresh Renderings

The BMW X5 first appeared in 1999 as the brand’s inaugural production crossover. Today, BMW builds the fourth generation of the midsize SUV, known internally as the G05, which originally debuted in the summer of 2018. The model received a mid-cycle refresh in early 2023, but an all-new fifth-generation X5 is expected to arrive soon.

A pair of leaked photos that surfaced online earlier this week aren’t particularly sharp, yet they reveal the main design elements of the upcoming SUV. As anticipated, the front end appears heavily inspired by the new BMW iX3, which made its debut early last fall. The grille features slimmer kidney openings outlined by LED lighting, while the headlights adopt slightly different daytime running light graphics.

Design cues from the iX3 also appear above the wheel arches, where trapezoidal sculpting adds a muscular look. The side panels, however, have a different surface treatment, and the SUV will reportedly replace traditional pull handles with unusual window-line mounted door handles—something rarely seen on BMW models but similar to those used on the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

At the rear, the X5 gets elongated taillights stretching nearly the full width of the vehicle, featuring a distinctive lighting pattern. For the first time in the model’s history, the license plate will be mounted on the rear bumper rather than the tailgate. The bumper itself adopts a bold design highlighted by large contrasting inserts made of black plastic.

Under the skin, the next-generation X5 is rumored to arrive with five different powertrain configurations. These are expected to include traditional gasoline and diesel engines, plug-in hybrid options, and fully electric versions likely branded as the BMW iX5. Looking further ahead, BMW is also planning a hydrogen fuel-cell variant scheduled to join the lineup around 2028.

The version shown in the renderings—and visible in the leaked photos—features four round exhaust outlets, suggesting it may represent the most powerful gasoline model in the lineup. For enthusiasts, that detail hints that BMW still intends to deliver performance alongside electrification as the X5 enters its next chapter.