You'll Love The Range, But Maybe Not The Look

Key Points:

• BMW is introducing the iX5, an electric SUV positioned as a step up from the iX3 and a battery-powered alternative to the two-row X5, featuring innovative power doors with strain meters that enable smooth automatic opening and closing.
• The iX5 offers luxury features such as 570 horsepower, plush massaging seats, a premium driver assistance system called "Symbiotic Drive" that allows hands-free highway driving with manual lane changes, and a responsive infotainment system with a 17.9-inch touchscreen and a panoramic dashboard display.
• The SUV boasts a large 144-kWh battery capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes via a 460kW NACS port, with an estimated range exceeding 450 miles, demonstrated by a 500-mile test drive with 50 miles remaining.
• Compared to the internal combustion X5, the iX5 delivers sharper throttle response, a lower center of gravity for better handling, and smoother electric braking, while both models now share similar styling and pricing to appeal to a broader market.
• BMW aims to reduce EV stigma in the U.S. by aligning the iX5 closely with its gasoline counterpart in design and pricing, complemented by unique features like automatic doors available as standard on the iX5 but optional on the gas-powered X5.