New BMW X5 spotted on test drive – First pictures of the New Class look
The new BMW X5 is scheduled to come in 2026, and although the SUV does not come on the electric basis of the New Class, it also benefits from the new concept. First pictures and info.
The facelift for the X5 is only about a year old, but it has been known for some time that the successor model is already being planned. The new model, known internally as the G65, is scheduled to be launched in 2026. Now there are only pictures of test cars on test drives.
- New BMW X5 with New Class Design
- Will probably come as a plug-in hybrid and electric variant on CLAR platform
- Likely to go into production at the end of 2026
The new X5 is still based on the CLAR platform, which enables both combustion and electric drive. So although the new SUV is not based on the platform of the New Class, design features of it are implemented in the new X5.
New BMW X5: Design
The test car that has now been spotted is of course still heavily camouflaged, but the new design is still unmistakably based on the Neue Klasse. The front end with the headlights and flatter BMW kidney grille is clearly based on the front of the New Class X. But compared to the concept, the new X5 is significantly wider and longer.
Beim Blick auf die Seite fällt auch auf, dass der Prototyp hier sowohl Ladeklappe vorne als auch Tankklappe hinten aufweist. Es handelt sich also um einen Plug-in Hybrid, der damit als gesicherter Teil der anstehenden Varianten gelten dürfte. In der Profilansicht fällt auch auf, dass die Türen mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit ebenfalls vom Design der Neuen Klasse X inspiriert sind. Als Teil der Türsäulen sind sie etwas versteckt, aber dennoch gut erkennbar.
The back of the new X5 also seems to have been borrowed from the New Class X. Although less can be seen here compared to the front, the thin taillight strips are hinted at and are much closer to the New Class X than to the design of the current model.
New BMW X5: Drive and range
It's still too early to make any concrete statements here, but the sighted prototype is a plug-in hybrid, so at least this form of drive will probably come 100%. In addition, we expect combustion engines and electric variants of the new SUV due to the X5's CLAR platform. In all likelihood, this means that there will probably be a BMW iX5 that is on the road as a pure electric car.
New BMW X5: Interior and infotainment
Not too many statements can be made about the interior of the new BMW X5 yet. The innovations in assistance systems and infotainment that can be found in the newer models should of course also be included in the X5, i.e. the internal operating system with iDrive version 9 or X.
However, a look into the interior of the prototype reveals a departure from the curved display of BMW's last newer models. Instead, a large central screen can be seen, which is still shrouded.
New BMW X5: When will the successor be released?
There are still no official announcements from BMW regarding concrete dates for the successor. The new X5 is expected to go into production by the end of 2026 at the latest. It is still unclear when the official premiere and market launch will come. As soon as more information is available, we will of course keep you up to date.
