BMW’s been making plenty of noise with the upcoming 2026 iX3 and its impressive 400-mile electric range, but the company isn’t stopping there. The spotlight is already shifting to its bigger sibling—the next-generation iX5. BMW just dropped the first teaser, and it looks like the new X5 will come with not one, not two, but five different powertrain choices.

Internally known as the “G65,” the fifth-gen X5 is shaping up to be one of the most versatile models in BMW’s lineup. Buyers will get options that include traditional gasoline, a plug-in hybrid, diesel (though not for the U.S. market), a fully electric setup, and even a hydrogen fuel cell version. That’s a spread you don’t see every day—making the X5 one of the rare vehicles that practically lets you pick your own energy source.

BMW’s development boss, Joachim Post, summed it up clearly: offering five drivetrains isn’t just about variety—it’s about proving BMW’s position as a leader in new tech. And with hydrogen playing an increasing role in the global push toward decarbonization, it’s no surprise BMW is pushing that frontier just as hard as its EV game.

Staying Committed To Hydrogen

2028 BMW iX5 Hydrogen hero teaser
2028 BMW iX5 Hydrogen

BMW isn’t just sticking with one flavor of electric for the upcoming X5. In fact, there will be two. The first will be a straight-up battery-electric version, running the same Gen 6 motors you’ll see in the iX3. The second is a lot more ambitious: a hydrogen fuel cell model built with Toyota’s help. That one, called the iX5 Hydrogen, is expected to hit the market in 2028. The timeline for the other powertrains, though, is still under wraps.

What makes this new hydrogen setup interesting is its size. BMW says it’s more compact than before, which should mean better range, more power, and less energy wasted. Right now, the iX5 Hydrogen is only being built in small numbers for a pilot program, but the next version will break new ground as BMW’s first mass-produced fuel-cell vehicle.

Details are thin for now, but BMW is confident the driving experience will stay true to its DNA. Michael Rath, who heads up BMW’s hydrogen division, put it simply: the iX5 Hydrogen is designed to be a “true BMW,” pioneering in its space and still delivering that signature Ultimate Driving Machine feel.

The X5 Should Be Excellent

2028 BMW iX5 Hydrogen teaser rolling rear
2028 BMW iX5 Hydrogen

Just as expected, the next-gen X5 is borrowing heavily from the iX3’s playbook up front. The new SUV will wear what looks to be BMW’s latest corporate face, tying the lineup together. But even with an exterior that echoes BMW’s EV design language, the X5 won’t be going all-electric only. For buyers who still want the rumble of an engine, BMW is keeping traditional powertrains in the mix. Spy shots point to a familiar turbocharged inline-six and the ever-popular twin-turbo V8 making a return.

Step inside, and you’ll spot more carryover from the iX3. The G65 X5 is set to feature the same Panoramic iDrive display setup, blending a large digital gauge cluster with a sleek infotainment screen under one piece of glass. Word is the X5’s version could be slightly bigger, but otherwise, it’s a familiar layout—proof that the iX3’s tech is going to ripple through BMW’s lineup quickly.

BMW X5 Test Vehicle Spied In Public

Right around the same time BMW dropped this announcement, our spy shooters spotted a camouflaged X5 prototype out testing in the wild. BMW also released its own set of so-called “spy” photos, which are cleaner, but they clearly show a hydrogen prototype that looks every bit like the test mule it is—far from production-ready.

Next-Gen BMW X5 Spy Photo 4
Next-generation BMW X5 spy photo.

The road-going prototype gives us a clearer idea of where the design is headed. Out back, the taillights look production-ready, borrowing the slim shape from the iX3 but with softer, rounded corners. In contrast, the hydrogen mule is still wearing chunky placeholder lights, and along the sides you’ll notice more pronounced ridges low on the body. That could be BMW hinting at subtle styling tweaks to set apart the combustion, electric, and fuel-cell versions of the X5.

Next-Gen BMW X5 Spy Photo 3-1
Next-gen BMW X5 spy photo

BMW hasn’t nailed down an exact launch date yet, but judging from the latest spy shots, a full reveal sometime next year feels likely. Expect the familiar gas and plug-in hybrid versions to show up first, while the hydrogen-powered model will stay on the back burner until its planned debut in 2028.

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