New BMW X5 Debuts In The UAE: Neue Klasse Looks, A 17.9-Inch Screen & Impressive Performance

The fifth-generation BMW X5 has made its UAE debut through AGMC in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates and through Abu Dhabi Motors in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. It arrives with the Neue Klasse design language and BMW Panoramic iDrive. 

The UAE line-up announced so far has four versions:

• X5 40 xDrive
• 50e xDrive (PHEV)
• M60e xDrive (PHEV)
• iX5 60 xDrive (EV) 

UAE prices haven’t been announced yet. BMW says the first versions go on sale in late November 2026, with the plug-in hybrids and the iX5 following in early 2027. The X5 kicked off BMW’s “Sports Activity Vehicle” idea back in 1999, and more than 3.1 million have been built across four generations since. This new one, codenamed G65, sits on an evolved version of the outgoing car’s platform, but the design, cabin, and tech are all new, and for the first time there’s a fully electric X5 in the range. We covered the car’s global reveal back in June.

What’s The Price Of The New BMW X5?

BMW is yet to officially reveal prices for the new X5. However, the X5 40 xDrive is expected to be priced at AED 495,000.

New BMW X5 Specs And Powertrains

The new BMW X5

 is the first model from the brand to offer five different drive systems: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and, later on, hydrogen. The UAE gets three of them for now. The 40d diesel isn’t on the UAE line-up announced so far, and the iX5 Hydrogen is a global model planned for a later stage.

The X5 40 xDrive uses a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six with 48V mild-hybrid assistance, an eight-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive, and it tops out at 250km/h. As far as fuel efficiency is concerned, BMW Middle East quotes 9.0-8.6L/100km, which works out to roughly 11.1-11.6km/l.

The M60e xDrive is the sporty flagship. It gets yellow daytime running lights, an M Sport differential, M Sport brakes with blue or red calipers, and 22-inch wheels on staggered wheel sizes. 

The iX5 runs BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive tech on an 800V system with a 141kWh battery. It charges at up to 460kW, good for 10 to 80 percent in 22 to 23 minutes, and it supports bidirectional charging. 

Is The New BMW X5 Electric?

Only one version is. The iX5 60 xDrive is the first fully electric X5, and the first electric car built at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in the US, which has made every X5 since 1999. It follows the new BMW iX3, which launched in the UAE in July. The 50e and M60e are plug-in hybrids that can cover daily commutes on electric power, and the 40 xDrive is a mild hybrid. So yes, you can still buy a new X5 with a proper petrol straight-six, and we suspect plenty of UAE buyers will.

What’s New On The Outside?

The front end is noticeably more in-your-face, and the vertical kidney grille now glows thanks to BMW’s Iconic Glow lighting. BMW has also added “double-X” LED light signatures, which make their first appearance on any BMW, along with standard adaptive LED headlights with matrix high beam. The combustion and hybrid models get horizontal air intakes, while the iX5 gets a closed front apron.

The side profile is cleaner too, with flush BMW Winglet door handles and optional electrically powered doors. Wheels start at 21 inches, and for the first time the X5 can be ordered with 23-inch rims. There are 11 paint colours, M Sport and M Sport Pro packages, and M Performance Parts such as a carbon fibre front splitter and aramid mirror caps available from the factory.

The new X5 measures 4,994mm long, 2,000mm wide and 1,751mm tall, on a 3,035mm wheelbase, about 60mm longer than the old car’s. Boot space is 655 litres, or up to 1,850 litres with the rear seats folded. The plug-in hybrids give up some room for their batteries and offer 525 litres.

Inside The New BMW X5

The cabin is where the Neue Klasse influence really hits. There’s no traditional instrument cluster anymore. Instead, BMW Panoramic Vision projects key info along the base of the windscreen, and it works alongside a 17.9-inch central touchscreen running BMW Operating System X. A 3D head-up display is available, and front passengers can now get an optional 14.6-inch screen of their own for streaming, which is a first for the X5.

BMW is the first carmaker to offer slate as a decorative trim, and you can also have glass finishes. A panoramic glass roof is standard, upholstery is vegan Veganza as standard with Merino leather optional, and there’s an ambient light strip running from door to door. Other noteworthy features include a new steering wheel with haptic controls and optional Bowers & Wilkins audio with up to 18 speakers.

Adaptive suspension is standard. Buyers can add Adaptive Chassis Control with air suspension and rear-wheel steering, or the Professional version with active roll stabilisation, which is initially offered only on the electric and plug-in hybrid models. Level 2 driver assistance comes under BMW’s new Symbiotic Drive umbrella, and a 360-degree camera is standard.

Cool Features For The UAE Summer

For anyone who’s sat on black leather in August, the options list has the right answers. You can get ventilated massage seats and four-zone climate control with extra rear vents in the B-pillars and under the seats, and the climate system adjusts seat ventilation automatically. You can also pre-cool the cabin through the My BMW app before you leave the office. Summers won’t be a problem with the new X5.

New BMW X5 Rivals In The UAE

The New BMW X5 goes up against some well-known luxury SUVs. This includes the Mercedes-Benz GLE, Range Rover Sport, Porsche Cayenne, Lexus RX, Genesis GV80, and Volvo XC90. 

Where To Buy The New BMW X5 In The UAE

In Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, the new X5 is sold through AGMC, which has showrooms on Sheikh Zayed Road, in Motor City and Deira, and in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. In Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, it’s sold through Abu Dhabi Motors, with showrooms in Umm Al Nar, Khalidiya and Al Ain.

Editor’s Take

The new X5 looks nothing like the old one, and the cabin is a big leap forward in tech. What matters most is that BMW still lets you choose: a petrol six, two plug-in hybrids, or a long-range EV. For UAE buyers who aren’t ready to go fully electric, that choice will count for a lot. Pricing will decide where it lands against the GLE and Range Rover Sport, so we’ll keep you posted.

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