Yep, it’s been that long. The BMW X5 is celebrating 25 years of production, a model that is described as pioneering the ‘Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)’ segment. Since its debut in 1999, the X5 has sold more than 3 million units worldwide, with over 75,000 of those hitting the roads in Australia.
Over the course of four generations, the X5 has continuously evolved, delivering a mix of luxury, versatility, and sporty driving dynamics. Engine options have ranged from petrol and diesel six-cylinder units, to plug-in hybrids, to storming twin-turbo V8s, catering to a wide array of customer demands.
The X5 has also played a key role in the development of future BMW powertrains, including its use as the platform for the iX5 Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) pilot program.
Locally, the X5 has been a top performer, ranking as BMW’s second-best selling model in Australia, behind only the 3 Series. Its popularity was bolstered by the introduction of a diesel variant, which appealed to Australian buyers seeking long-range capability and towing power.
The X5 is built at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA, alongside other X models like the X3 and X7. With a legacy of innovations, such as the introduction of iDrive, Active Steering, and high-performance M variants, the X5 continues as one of the best-handling SUVs in its class, if not the best.
Looking forward, BMW plans to further expand the X5’s versatility with the launch of a hydrogen option using fuel-cell electric vehicle technology (FCEV), set to go into production in 2028. Prototypes have been used for testing and tuning for some time.
According to VFACTS new vehicle registration figures in Australia, BMW has delivered 2334 X5s so far this year (through September). That makes it the third most popular model in the showroom, behind the X1 (3365) and X3 (2616). That figure is down 12.4 per cent on the same nine-month period in 2023.
