BMW’s next-generation X5 has been priced for Australia, giving local buyers an early look at how the brand’s large luxury SUV will land in its fifth generation.
The new model is due between October and December 2026, with two inline-six variants confirmed at launch and a cabin that marks a clear shift toward BMW’s latest digital interior thinking.
At a glance
- BMW’s fifth-generation X5 is due in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026 with two launch variants.
- Both versions use 3.0-litre inline-six engines with 48V mild-hybrid technology and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
- Pricing starts at $143,900 before on-road costs for the X5 40d xDrive and $145,900 for the petrol X5 40 xDrive.
Neue Klasse influence reaches BMW’s large SUV
The new X5 brings BMW’s Neue Klasse design language into one of the brand’s most commercially important SUV lines.
Its exterior moves toward a more upright, monolithic shape, giving the large SUV a stronger front-on stance than the outgoing generation.
The kidney grilles are taller and narrower, a proportion change that should make the new model immediately distinguishable on the road.
It’s a notable update for a vehicle that has long sat in the middle of BMW’s luxury SUV identity, balancing family practicality with the brand’s more assertive performance image.
Inline-six engines stay at the core
Australia’s initial X5 range will open with two 3.0-litre inline-six models, both paired with 48V mild-hybrid assistance.
The diesel X5 40d xDrive produces 230 kW and 670 Nm, positioning it as the torque-heavy option for buyers who favour long-distance ease and effortless overtaking.
The petrol X5 40 xDrive lifts output to 294 kW and 540 Nm, giving it the stronger power figure while retaining BMW’s familiar six-cylinder character.
Both variants use an eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive, keeping the mechanical layout consistent across the launch range.
Panoramic Vision leads the cabin update
The interior introduces BMW’s Panoramic Vision display, which stretches across the dashboard at the base of the windscreen.
That system is joined by a larger central touchscreen for infotainment, continuing BMW’s move toward cleaner dashboards with fewer conventional controls.
Standard equipment will include ventilated and massaging front seats, along with a heated steering wheel.
Those inclusions matter in this segment, where buyers expect the X5 to feel properly premium before diving into options.
Australian pricing and positioning
The X5 40d xDrive will be priced from $143,900 before on-road costs.
The petrol X5 40 xDrive will sit slightly higher at $145,900 before on-road costs.
That narrow gap between the diesel and petrol models should make the choice less about budget and more about driving style, efficiency preferences and how the car will be used.
For Australian buyers, the timing places the new X5 as a late-2026 arrival, with deliveries expected during the final quarter of the year.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | BMW |
|---|---|
| Model | Fifth-generation X5 |
| Australian launch timing | Fourth quarter of 2026 |
| Launch variants | X5 40d xDrive and X5 40 xDrive |
| X5 40d xDrive engine | 3.0-litre inline-six diesel with 48V mild-hybrid system |
| X5 40d xDrive output | 230 kW and 670 Nm |
| X5 40 xDrive engine | 3.0-litre inline-six petrol with 48V mild-hybrid system |
| X5 40 xDrive output | 294 kW and 540 Nm |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | xDrive all-wheel drive |
| Key interior feature | BMW Panoramic Vision display |
| Standard equipment highlights | Ventilated and massaging front seats, heated steering wheel |
| X5 40d xDrive price | $143,900 before on-road costs |
| X5 40 xDrive price | $145,900 before on-road costs |
The new X5 doesn’t abandon the formula that made the model a fixture in the luxury SUV market, but it does sharpen the technology, styling and cabin presentation around a familiar six-cylinder base.
For buyers who want a large BMW SUV without waiting for wider variant expansion, the first Australian arrivals will offer a clear diesel-versus-petrol choice when the fifth-generation model lands late in 2026.
