New BMW X5 Is Coming in 2027 — Should You Buy a Used One Now?

The New X5 Is a Proper Redesign — Not Just a Facelift

If you've been thinking about getting into an X5, the timing couldn't be more interesting. BMW has confirmed the next-generation X5 will make its public debut in summer 2026, with the first cars rolling off the production line in August. This isn't a mid-cycle refresh. It's a ground-up redesign, and the changes go deep.

On the outside, expect the same Neue Klasse design language that's been rolling across BMW's lineup — narrow visor-like headlights, upright kidney grilles, and a lower, wider stance than the current model. It's a sharper, more contemporary look that moves the X5 firmly away from traditional SUV conventions.

Inside: The iDrive You Know Is Gone

Inside is where things get really interesting. The familiar iDrive rotary controller is gone. In its place is a sweeping 17.9-inch Panoramic Display that merges the instrument cluster and infotainment into a single curved unit. Controls are handled through touch, voice, and haptic feedback on the steering wheel. It's a significant leap forward in cabin technology — and a clear signal that BMW is done playing it safe with its interiors.

Five Powertrains — Including a Hydrogen Version

The engine range is expanding in a way that's never been done before in a single BMW model. Alongside updated petrol and diesel variants, there will be plug-in hybrids with significantly improved electric range, a fully electric iX5, and eventually a hydrogen derivative. It will be the first BMW ever offered with five different powertrain types. For most UK buyers, though, the petrol and plug-in hybrid versions will be the ones to watch at launch.

So Should You Wait — or Buy Used Now?

That depends entirely on what you're actually after.

If you want the latest technology, the new interior experience, or specifically an electric X5, then waiting makes sense. The new car is genuinely exciting and worth the patience if those things matter most to you.

But for the majority of buyers, buying a used current-generation X5 right now is arguably the smarter move — and here's why.

Why the Used Market Is Worth Serious Attention Right Now

When a new generation launches, used prices on the outgoing model tend to soften. The current G05 X5, which has been on sale since 2019, is a well-sorted, refined SUV that has had years to work out its early issues. Running costs are understood, reliability patterns are documented, and the parts supply is mature. You're not experimenting — you're buying a proven machine at a softening price.

The sweet spot is a G05 X5 from 2020 or later, with full service history. These cars deliver the core X5 experience — effortless motorway pace, xDrive all-weather confidence, a genuinely premium cabin — without the premium price tag of a brand new model.

The Part Most Buyers Forget to Think About

There's one angle that rarely gets enough attention when a new generation arrives: parts and repairs.

With the current X5, the aftermarket is well established. Genuine used parts are widely available, independent garages know these cars inside out, and owners have real options when something needs attention. That's simply not the case with a brand new model. Early adopters of any new generation typically pay more when things go wrong — supply is thin, and dealers hold all the cards in those first couple of years.

As the new X5 arrives and attention shifts, used G05 parts availability is only going to improve further, and prices will follow.

The Bottom Line

The 2027 X5 is going to be a genuinely impressive machine. But impressive new cars and smart buying decisions don't always point in the same direction.

If value, long-term reliability, and predictable running costs matter to you, the current X5 on the used market — bought well, with history — is hard to argue against right now. Give it six to twelve months after the new model launches, and used G05 prices will look even more attractive.

That window is opening. And it won't stay open for long.