BMW X5 – A Quarter Century in the Making

Over four model generations and with more than three million examples sold, BMW’s X5 is now 25 years old. 

Almost 6300 of the total have sold new in NZ since it landed here in 2002. The X5 has finished on top of the New Zealand BMW annual sales charts 17 times, highlighting its popularity.

Not only is it available in a number of different driveline formats, but it is also the vehicle platform BMW has chosen to debut the world’s first production hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, the iX5.

X5 is also the vehicle that established what BMW describes as the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV).

BMW was the first European carmaker to establish a production facility for luxury vehicles in the USA. The X5 is still produced at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA. It is built alongside X3, X4, X6 and X7. 

The X5 debuted at the North American International Auto Show in 1999, packing in-line six and V8 petrol engines, all-wheel-drive and a monocoque chassis. The addition of a diesel engine variant proved popular in New Zealand, where many owners use their vehicle for towing and long-distance driving.

The second-generation BMW X5, introduced to the local market in 2007, delivered technological advancements and more interior space, including provision for a third row of seats.

It saw the debut of the iDrive system alongside a high-definition centre-mount display. Active Steering and AdaptiveDrive (anti-roll stability and adaptive dampers) also debuted, as did a head-up display. In 2010 BMW New Zealand launched the X5 M.

The third-generation model arrived in late 2013, featuring a new kidney grille and adaptive LED headlights. It was longer, wider and lower, with more cargo capacity. A bigger central display linked to the BMW iDrive controller. BMW also offered a plug-in hybrid powertrain at this time.

The fourth-generation BMW X5 launched in November 2018, introducing BMW Operating System 7, level two autonomous technology and a camera-based driver assistance system.

It was bigger all round for increased occupant and luggage space.

A diverse range of powertrains was available, and towing capacity expanded to 3.5 tonnes. A facelift in 2023 added a BMW Curved Display and 48-volt mild hybrid engine technology.

The next X5 adventure is as a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Dubbed iX5 Hydrogen, it will enter series production in 2028.