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Forget Arctic circles and desert heat: BMW has been putting the next X5 through its paces in West London, blending into South Kensington traffic with only its camouflage giving the game away. It’s a bold place to run a prototype, but it makes sense—tight lanes, stop-start congestion, cyclists, buses and relentless road markings are the perfect stress test for sensors, driver assists and low-speed calibration.
Even under wrap, the new X5 looks substantial, with a planted stance that makes it loom over everyday traffic. The lighting signatures appear to be closer to BMW’s newer design direction, and the smoothed-off nose suggests a cleaner, more aero-led shape than today’s car. Expect the production model to sharpen the proportions with a wider track and a tidier tail, the sort of visual sleight of hand that helps a big SUV look more athletic without losing its presence.
Under the bonnet and beneath the floor, BMW is expected to cast a wide net. Petrol and diesel should remain on the menu in many markets, backed by mild-hybrid assistance, while plug-in hybrid options look set to continue for drivers who want electric running around town with long-distance range still in reserve. A fully electric iX5 is widely anticipated too, likely with more than one output level and the sort of chassis trickery needed to keep mass in check.
BMW has also been clear that it wants flexibility in its engineering, and that keeps the door ajar for hydrogen fuel-cell derivatives in selected regions. In the real world, infrastructure will dictate how far that goes, but the appeal is obvious: quick refuelling and low tailpipe emissions without relying solely on rapid chargers.
Inside, the biggest talking point should be BMW’s next cabin layout, with Panoramic iDrive-style displays spreading information across the dashboard and a large central touchscreen handling media, navigation and vehicle settings. With the X5 likely to grow slightly, expect more rear-seat breathing room and an even easier loading area—because in an SUV at this level, space, tech and refinement matter just as much as pace.
