BMW X5 Trades Pretty Looks For A Magnificent Motorway Cruise

The 2027 BMW X5 has stirred up debate before most buyers have even seen one in the metal. Its bold new face and busy cabin have lit up online forums. Behind the wheel, though, the mood changes. BMW’s long-serving family SUV has matured where it counts. It feels less like a track-day pretender and more like a polished long-distance cruiser.

Let’s get the styling out of the way. The nose is chunkier than before, and the profile is rounder, so the X5 struggles to look upmarket from some angles. The sloping tail, born from ditching the old split tailgate, takes some getting used to. X-shaped headlights split opinion, and the winglet door handles look neat but are fiddly. A conventional pull would be simpler. The rear end is arguably the best angle, especially in a deep green paint finish.

Inside, the layout matches the new 3 Series, the iX3 and the updated 7 Series. A small single-spoke wheel sits ahead of a vast 17.9-inch trapezoidal touchscreen. Panoramic iDrive, a slim display across the base of the windscreen, is the clear winner. It keeps the view uncluttered and can be tailored neatly. Sport mode does swap handy navigation for performance data, which is a little irritating. The wheel is the biggest miss. Its odd rounded-off shape is awkward to grip, and the touch-sensitive buttons drag your eyes down from the road. Too many settings hide in menus, and physical switches survive only for the seats, windows and gear selector. Even drive modes live on the screen. The optional passenger display feels like padding for the options list.

Material quality is a happier story. Nearly every surface looks and feels expensive, and glossy black plastic is kept to a minimum. Slate trim adds cool-to-the-touch character, while the glass controls sparkle, if a little flashily. Front seats can be heated, ventilated and massaged, and rear passengers get heating and ventilation too. The updated driver aids coped brilliantly with Southern California traffic. The voice assistant is less polished and still misreads some commands.

The real magic is on the road. A turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six produces 394 horsepower and drives all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic. Sixty miles per hour comes up in 5.1 seconds, and the top speed is 130mph. A V8 is promised for later. The X5 has put on roughly 70kg, yet it stays flat and composed through bends. Gone is the needless firmness of old. The ride is calmer and more comfortable, and Sport mode never tries too hard. BMW has found a smarter balance between comfort and agility. Some traditional buyers may take time to warm to the changes, but the driving experience is a clear step forward.