SPY PICS: 2026 BMW X5 spotted

The new 2026 BMW X5 has just been caught on camera looking an awful lot like an enlarged Neue Klasse vehicle, despite being tipped to retain the large premium SUV’s existing CLAR chassis architecture.

Sleek, smooth and subtle, the next-generation BMW X5 will be offered with the choice of combustion (ICE), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), battery-electric (BEV) and perhaps even hydrogen fuel-cell (FCEV) powertrains and this particular prototype is clearly a PHEV given its discrete but still visible exhaust outlets and the hidden charging port on its front left wing.

The front-end is largely enclosed save for the lower intake and looks like its incorporates active aero shutters on the upper grille, which should improve the next X5’s efficiency alongside its largely crease-free body.

Said body has a distinctly cab-back silhouette like the smaller new 2025 BMW X3 and looks like it rides on a longer wheelbase than the current X5, but some readers may be wondering where the door-handles are.

They’ve been moved up to the base of the B- and C-pillars in the name of drag-reduction and aesthetics, and look like they follow a similar concept to those of the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Little can be ascertained about the rear-end beyond the fact it’s plumper than a Christmas turkey and features a boldly contoured tailgate with a subtle integrated spoiler, while Pirelli tyres encase typically generous alloy wheels.

Through the window we can see the cabin will be dominated by a new-generation widescreen infotainment system that could replace BMW’s latest curved display and appears to be inspired by the all-in-one multimedia display employed by Tesla, since a traditional instrument cluster is not immediately apparent.

A very chubby and interestingly-shaped steering wheel can also be seen in front of the heavily-disguised dashboard.

While the new BMW X5 is not expected to be among them, BMW will launch six new electric models based on its upcoming Neue Klasse EV platform between 2025 and 2030, each incorporating a fast-charging 800-volt electrical architecture.

They will include the new iX3 mid-size SUV for starters, followed by the new i3 medium sedan, new iX1 small SUV, new i4 coupe and convertible, all-new i1 hatch and new i5 large sedan, plus electric M-cars like the next M3, M4, M5, iX3 M and iX4 M.

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