Say what you will about BMW’s current design philosophy—love it, hate it, or tolerate it like a too-loud neighbor—but it’s hard to accuse Munich’s stylists of copying and pasting. The 5 Series doesn’t just look like a supersized 3er, and the X3 has enough individuality to avoid being dismissed as a bloated X1. But as BMW ramps up for its next big transformation, that visual diversity may be in jeopardy.
By the end of 2027, BMW plans to unleash around 40 Neue Klasse–based models, and early prototypes hint at a more unified design language. The next-generation X5, internally coded G65, appears to be one of the first to adopt this family resemblance.
A Familiar Face with New Tricks
Spy shots show a shape that recalls the iX3, albeit enlarged by about 20 percent. The camouflage is thick, though, and BMW’s prototype teams have gotten creative with fake body panels and decoy lighting. Still, digital artists have tried to pierce the disguise, with renderings that suggest a cleaner, more geometric X5 than before.
One detail we can confirm: the door handles are gone—or rather, absorbed. BMW’s sleek new “winglet” handles, first seen on the Skytop and Speedtop concepts, are integrated directly into the beltline. The G65 X5 will be the first production BMW to feature them, ahead of the upcoming G67 X7.
The Grille Debate Continues
The front end hides another notable shift. The X5’s grille will reportedly stand taller and more upright, adopting the iX3’s vertical kidney layout rather than the wide, horizontal treatment planned for sedan models like next year’s i3. Both directions were previewed by BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse concepts—one for SUVs, one for cars—meaning we’re entering an era where grille orientation will actually tell you what kind of BMW you’re looking at.
At the rear, there’s some intrigue over the tailgate. A recent rendering suggests the familiar split setup will return, but word from Munich whispers otherwise: the G65 might be the first X5 to switch to a one-piece hatch. We’re hoping that rumor is just the engineers stirring the pot—after all, the clamshell tailgate is one of the X5’s most useful (and beloved) features.
Inside the Neue Klasse
If the exterior tweaks are evolutionary, the cabin will mark a clear break from the past. Expect the iDrive X system to make its SUV debut here, complete with the Panoramic Vision windshield display that projects key info across the base of the glass. The traditional rotary controller is reportedly gone, a decision sure to divide longtime BMW loyalists. And while the minimalist interior will echo the iX3’s, sources suggest the X5 will get its own dash design to maintain some separation within the lineup.
Coming Summer 2026
Production of the new X5 is slated to begin in August 2026, putting a reveal in late spring or early summer. Whether it turns out to be a scaled-up iX3 or something more daring, expect BMW’s fanbase to do what it does best: argue about grilles, buttons, and whether this still feels like a proper driver’s SUV.
Because no matter how streamlined the Neue Klasse becomes, some things about BMW never change—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Source: kelsonik via Instagram