TL;DR
The Drive’s first-drive review of the 2027 BMW iX5 reports that the electric SUV combines an estimated 435-mile range with 10%-to-80% charging in 22 minutes under ideal conditions. The launch iX5 60 xDrive is listed at $81,250, and the reviewer judged its acceleration and ride favorably against the gas X5; BMW’s range figure is preliminary, and its 500-mile test result is a company claim.
The Drive has published a first-drive review of BMW’s upcoming 2027 iX5, reporting that the electric SUV is expected to offer 435 miles of range and charge from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes under ideal conditions. The report says the launch iX5 60 xDrive will cost $81,250 and argues that its acceleration and ride make it a stronger choice in ordinary driving than the comparable gas X5, though that is the reviewer’s assessment, not a measured verdict for all buyers.
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BMW’s preliminary range estimate is 435 miles on a full charge. The company also told The Drive it achieved 500 miles in one real-world test; that result is a manufacturer-reported test, not the published estimate. The review describes the iX5’s 144-kilowatt-hour battery and 800-volt electrical architecture as central to its long-distance capability. BMW says peak DC charging can reach 460 kilowatts, while the 10%-to-80% charge time is 22 minutes in ideal conditions. The reviewer says the charging performance was observed during the drive, but the stated peak is not a sustained rate.
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 curb weight of 6,347 pounds and a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.6 seconds. Its $81,250 delivered price is $7,700 above the equivalent all-wheel-drive gas X5, according to the source report. The iX5 seats five and has 23.1 to 65.3 cubic feet of cargo space, plus a 1.87-cubic-foot front trunk.
In driving impressions, The Drive’s Adam Ismail found the EV more responsive at low speeds and said its low center of gravity and revised damping helped it ride softer and feel flatter through corners. The report notes that the electric model weighs about 1,200 pounds more than the mild-hybrid X5 40 xDrive. The two versions share much of their cabin layout; the reviewer praised the straightforward highway-assistance controls and said the iX5 retains a small frunk.
Range and Charging Shape the Choice
The iX5’s headline figures address two common concerns for electric-vehicle shoppers: how far an SUV can travel between charges and how long a stop may take. If the preliminary 435-mile estimate and ideal-condition charging time hold up in customer use, the model could make longer journeys more practical for drivers who can access fast chargers. Actual range and charging time can vary with conditions, equipment and driving.
Price is a counterweight. At $81,250, the electric model costs more than the comparable gas X5, and its large battery contributes to a vehicle weighing more than 6,300 pounds. The first-drive report suggests the extra weight does not prevent composed handling, but buyers will still need to weigh the premium and charging access against the EV’s performance and potential convenience.
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BMW’s Two X5 Powertrains
BMW is offering the fifth-generation X5 with both electric and gasoline power, allowing a direct comparison within the same midsize SUV line. The review drove the iX5 and the gas-powered X5 40 xDrive in Los Angeles. It describes the latter as using BMW’s B58 engine with mild-hybrid assistance and says it is about 1,200 pounds lighter than the electric model.
The iX5 also brings BMW’s Neue Klasse design language to the SUV, though the reviewer found the exterior less radical in person than it may appear in images. The cabin largely mirrors the gas version, with few physical buttons but retained controls for some functions. BMW’s stated plan is to launch with the 144-kWh battery; the company is still considering whether to offer smaller battery capacities later.
“The electric X5 might actually be the better option this time around.”
— The Drive reviewer Adam Ismail
Final Range and Future Versions
The 435-mile range is preliminary, and the report does not establish how the SUV will perform across different temperatures, routes, speeds or charging networks. BMW’s 500-mile test result is based on one company-reported drive, and details such as the test conditions and methodology are not provided in the source material. The 460-kilowatt figure is a peak charging rate, not a rate the vehicle sustains throughout a charging session.
BMW has not confirmed whether a smaller battery version will follow the launch model, or what it might cost. The supplied report also does not provide a final on-sale date, independent long-term efficiency data or customer-use range results. Its driving comparison reflects one reviewer’s first-drive experience.
Launch Details Still Ahead
The iX5 is expected to launch in 2027, with the 60 xDrive and its 144-kWh battery as the initial configuration. Further manufacturer details and customer vehicles will be needed to confirm final range, real-world charging performance and availability. BMW may later decide whether a lower-capacity, less expensive version makes sense, but the company has not committed to one.
Key Questions
How far is the 2027 BMW iX5 expected to travel on a charge?
BMW’s preliminary estimate is 435 miles. The company separately told The Drive that it achieved 500 miles in one real-world test; the source does not provide the test conditions.
How quickly can the iX5 charge?
BMW says the iX5 can charge from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes under ideal conditions, with a peak DC charging rate of up to 460 kilowatts. Peak power is not sustained throughout the session.
What does the first iX5 version cost?
The reported delivered price for the iX5 60 xDrive is $81,250, or $7,700 more than the equivalent all-wheel-drive gas X5, according to The Drive.
Is the electric iX5 better to drive than the gas X5?
The Drive reviewer found the EV quicker in low-speed situations and said its ride and cornering composure benefited from its low center of gravity and suspension tuning. That is a first-drive assessment, not a universal conclusion or long-term comparison.
Will BMW offer the iX5 with a smaller battery?
BMW has not confirmed a smaller-battery version. The 144-kWh pack is the only battery planned for launch, and the company is still weighing whether other capacities make sense.
Source: rss
