BMW is nearing the launch of the 2027 electric iX5 with a usable battery capacity of 144 kWh in the U.S. market and 141 kWh in Europe, making it the largest battery used to date in a BMW electric vehicle. The company has not officially announced range figures, but this large capacity puts the vehicle on track to compete as one of the longest-range electric cars when it launches.
A Battery That Exceeds Most Competitors
The iX5 xDrive 60 will receive the larger battery, at a time when the BMW iX3 and i3 offer ranges exceeding 400 miles according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standard, using a usable battery capacity of 112 kWh. Accordingly, the report expects the iX5 to join the limited group of vehicles that exceed this figure, but that remains an expectation until BMW releases official range data.
For comparison, the Porsche Cayenne Electric contains approximately 113 kWh of total capacity, while the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring uses a 123 kWh total-capacity battery and achieves more than 400 miles according to the EPA standard. The Rivian R1S comes closer to the iX5, with its optional Max battery providing a usable capacity of 140 kWh. Meanwhile, General Motors' large trucks and SUVs, such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV, and Cadillac Escalade IQ, use battery packs exceeding 200 kWh.
Long Range Versus Weight
The increase in battery capacity does not come without compromises. According to Autocar, the battery contributes to the vehicle's curb weight reaching approximately 3,000 kilograms, or nearly 6,600 pounds, making the iX5 one of the heaviest electric vehicles in its class. This weight could affect efficiency, comfort, and driving dynamics.
BMW is attempting to limit these effects through suspension-system modifications; it separated the suspension springs from the shock absorbers to increase the interior volume of the air chamber and give it more space to handle the higher loads. The company also repositioned the adaptive shock absorbers and anti-roll bars to achieve a better balance between comfort and control.
Neue Klasse Technologies on an Older Platform
Like the iX3, the iX5 uses cell-to-pack technology, which integrates the cells directly into the battery pack, eliminating the modules and structural layers that usually add weight. According to Autocar, BMW engineers worked to reduce the height by a millimeter here and another there to keep the cabin floor low despite the pack's substantial size.
The iX5 differs from the iX3 in its platform. The former is based on Cluster Architecture, a platform originally developed for combustion engines and re-engineered to accommodate electric vehicles, while the iX3 uses the entirely new Neue Klasse platform. Nevertheless, the iX5 borrows key technologies from Neue Klasse, including sixth-generation cylindrical cells and an 800-volt electrical architecture.
Preparing for Launch
BMW said it is currently completing the final calibration tests for the X5 at its factory in Spartanburg. The X5 launch will not be limited to the electric version; the company plans to offer four other powertrain options: mild-hybrid gasoline and diesel versions, a plug-in hybrid version, and the first X5 powered by hydrogen fuel cells.