BMW iX5: the fully electric version of the popular premium SUV from the Bavarian manufacturer is now a reality

The wait is over. With the market launch of the new generation of the X5, BMW is offering for the first time a fully electric variant of this premium electric SUV. Production will begin in August at the American plant in Spartanburg, from where it will be exported to other markets, including Europe.

At almost 5 metres long – 4.99 metres to be exact – 2 metres wide and 1.75 metres high, the new iX5 has generous dimensions by European standards. Although it is true that in other markets such as North America it is considered a mid-size SUV.

One standout feature of the new iX5 is its huge battery pack, one of the largest found in any fully electric vehicle, with a capacity of 141 kWh. Thanks to it, despite the considerable weight and dimensions of this premium SUV, BMW promises a WLTP range of up to 845 km per charge, with a homologated consumption of between 20.1 and 23.9 kWh per 100 km.

Its ability to tow a trailer of up to 2,700 kg makes it, on the other hand, a really interesting option for all those who need to transport caravans, boats or horse trailers.

Some points of interest worth bearing in mind

As far as its technical specifications are concerned, the iX5 60 xDrive version that will initially go on sale delivers up to 425 kW of power and 805 Nm of torque, offering exceptional performance that allows it to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.6 seconds. Its xDrive all-wheel drive consists of a synchronous motor on the rear axle and an asynchronous one on the front, together with a two-stage transmission.

When charging, it supports up to 22 kW in alternating current and a peak of 460 kW in direct current, which allows the state of charge to be increased from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 23 minutes. A fairly short time considering the enormous capacity of its battery pack.

One of the great attractions of the iX5 that we cannot overlook is its chassis. It comes as standard with adaptive suspension, and optionally it can be fitted with rear-axle steering, which allows the rear wheels to turn up to 3.2 degrees, thus reducing the vehicle’s turning circle to 12.1 metres. Active roll stabilisation is also included, thanks to which, despite its almost 2,900 kg on the scales, the vehicle feels surprisingly agile while retaining the characteristic driving pleasure of BMW.

Finally, it should be noted that the new iX5 incorporates advanced level 2 driver-assistance systems, such as Entry-2-Exit on motorways and Address-2-Address in urban environments, with which the vehicle is able to manage acceleration, braking and steering, as well as recognise the status of traffic lights. That said, always under the driver’s continuous supervision.