TL;DR
Get bike and ride gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
The Drive published a first-drive review of the 2027 BMW iX5 60 xDrive, an electric midsize SUV expected to launch next year at $81,250. BMW estimates 435 miles of range and says the 144-kWh battery can charge from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes under ideal conditions; the reviewer found the electric model more comfortable and responsive than the comparable gas X5.
The Drive has published a first-drive review of the 2027 BMW iX5 60 xDrive, reporting that the electric SUV felt more responsive and composed than the comparable gas-powered X5 during the publication’s test. BMW lists a preliminary estimated range of 435 miles and a price of $81,250 delivered, making the upcoming model a high-priced alternative with a large battery and rapid-charging capability.
The reviewed iX5 uses a 144-kWh battery and an 800-volt electrical system. BMW says the battery can charge from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes under ideal conditions, with a peak charging rate of up to 460 kW. The Drive says it observed the charging performance during its test; peak throughput is not a sustained rate. BMW also says a 10-minute charge within that range can add as much as 170 miles, while the company reported reaching 500 miles in one real-world test. That result is separate from the vehicle’s preliminary 435-mile estimate.
The first version is the iX5 60 xDrive, with dual-motor all-wheel drive, 579 horsepower and 593 pound-feet of torque. BMW lists a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.6 seconds, a top speed of 130 mph and a curb weight of 6,347 pounds. The Drive compared it with the X5 40 xDrive, a mild-hybrid gas model using BMW’s B58 engine, and noted that the electric vehicle weighs about 1,200 pounds more.
The iX5’s listed delivered price is $81,250, or $7,700 above the equivalent all-wheel-drive gas version, according to the report. Both versions have seating for five, and the iX5 includes a small front trunk as well as rear cargo space. BMW has not committed to offering a smaller battery; the company is still considering whether lower-capacity versions might follow.
Range and charging shape the comparison
The review puts the iX5’s central consumer question in practical terms: whether a substantial battery and quick charging can make a premium electric SUV easier to use for longer trips, while its driving character offers a reason to choose it beyond fuel savings. The 435-mile preliminary estimate and the claimed 22-minute charging window are figures that could reduce charging stops and waiting time, but real-world results depend on conditions and charging equipment.
The comparison also matters because BMW is selling electric and gas versions of the X5 in closely related formats. The Drive reviewer found the iX5’s electric torque useful in ordinary acceleration and said its low center of gravity and suspension tuning gave it a softer, flatter ride. Those are first-drive impressions, not independently measured proof that the EV will suit every buyer better. The electric model’s higher price and greater weight remain part of the choice.
Level 2 EV home charger 48 amp hardwired
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
The iX5 brings BMW’s Neue Klasse design language to the midsize SUV while keeping much of the interior layout shared with the gas-powered X5, according to The Drive. The publication described the exterior as a measured shift in styling rather than a complete departure, and said the cabin has few physical buttons but retains controls for functions including seats and doors. It also reported that the highway driver-assistance system can be activated with a steering-wheel button.
BMW’s engineering team retained a 1.87-cubic-foot front trunk, a feature chief engineer Michael Ahlers described to The Drive as a requirement from the start of development. The review scored the vehicle 8 out of 10. The Drive disclosed that BMW provided travel and accommodations and use of a vehicle for the review, a relevant detail for readers weighing its judgments.
“The electric X5 might actually be the better option this time around.”
— The Drive reviewer Adam Ismail
portable EV charging cable Level 2 J1772
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Final range and lineup remain open
The figures available before launch are not all final: BMW describes the 435-mile range as preliminary, and the report does not specify the test conditions behind the company’s separate 500-mile run. Charging times and peak rates depend on ideal conditions, and the article does not establish how often drivers will see the maximum 460-kW rate in everyday use.
BMW has not announced whether the iX5 will receive smaller battery options, or provided further launch details such as availability by market. The Drive’s comparisons of ride and acceleration reflect a first-drive evaluation, not a long-term ownership test. Its review also discloses that BMW supplied travel, accommodations and the vehicle.
NACS to CCS1 EV fast charging adapter
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Launch details will firm up
The iX5 is expected to launch in 2027. BMW’s next steps will include confirming final specifications, range figures, market availability and whether additional battery versions will join the 60 xDrive. Prospective buyers will be able to compare the production model’s official figures with the preliminary estimates and first-drive observations as more details emerge.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
How far can the 2027 BMW iX5 travel on a charge?
BMW gives a preliminary estimate of 435 miles. The company told The Drive it recorded 500 miles in one real-world test, but the report does not provide the test conditions, and that result is not the same as the preliminary estimate.
How quickly can the iX5 charge?
BMW says the 144-kWh battery can go from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes under ideal conditions, with peak DC charging of up to 460 kW. Actual charging speed can vary; peak power is not sustained throughout the session.
How much does the 2027 BMW iX5 cost?
The reviewed iX5 60 xDrive is listed at $81,250 delivered, according to The Drive. That is $7,700 more than the equivalent all-wheel-drive gas X5 cited in the report.
What did the first-drive review say about the iX5 versus the gas X5?
The Drive reviewer said the iX5 felt more responsive at low speeds and rode softer and flatter through corners than the gas version. Those are reviewer impressions from a first drive, not a guarantee of how every driver will experience the vehicles.
Will BMW offer a smaller-battery iX5?
BMW has not confirmed one. The Drive reports that the 144-kWh battery is the only option planned at launch, while the company is still weighing whether smaller capacities may arrive later.
Source: rss
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
