2018 BMW X5 Redesign

Released in the mid of 2013 you would expect the current X5 to continue on the market for at least a few more years. However, to everyone’s surprise it seems that the upcoming 2018 BMW X5 is going to be an all-new car. This is very unusual and especially so for a big manufacturer like BMW. The reason for this massive change is the fact that the chassis of the current X5 is nearly a decade old. Considering this, it makes a lot more sense to release an all new version than just release another small update for the car.
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MDarringer - 6/26/2016 6:25:54 PM

-3 Boost

The article was rather humorous: "Unfortunately...the...X5 is expected to grow...but a performance crossover is not meant to be...large...the off-road capabilities are going to be gone...a crossover with no off-road capability defeats the purpose of a crossover."

Sounds like BMW is doing the right thing by giving up the off-road capabilities because an X5 is taken seriously as an off-roader by no one. AWD is all it really needs.

As for the performance crossover thing, no one really hustles vehicles like this around the track, so as long as it has a powerhouse engine option--and it will--the X5 will be fine.

They are addressing the fact that the X5 is a bit cramped for 5 people and that the current one is not truly what owners want.

I'm not saying that BMW feels the pressure of the Cadillac Escalade, but people buy Escalades for their size. A more commodious X5 is an excellent thing.

This will allow for the X3 to expand, making better room for the X1. It will also allow the X6 to be reimagined as well.

Now if they can give it some truly new, gorgeous styling rather than the same old same old as they did on the 7 Series, they will really have it a home run.

This is a great move.

jameswisrik - 6/28/2016 7:19:04 AM

+2 Boost

BMW and Audi must save tons of money buy making all there cars/suv look the same from generation to generation.

mre30 - 6/27/2016 8:01:27 AM

+1 Boost

BMW desperately needs a new, range-wide, front end design direction.

The move to the current "flared nostril" look does not scale up in size and it only looks acceptable on the three series.

The "flared nostril" is at its worst on the BMW suv's (all of them - but X5/6 are by far the ugliest) and looks pretty bad on the 7-series.

Maybe its time for BMW to ditch or minimize the twin-kidney look, no matter how iconic it may be. The obsolescence of the twin-kidney became apparent to me in the last days of Pontiac when Pontiac 4-doors from the front looked like BMW's because their "below" grill twin-kidneys/squares moved up into the real grill and the tiredness of the design was crystalized.

BMW needs drastic styling help.

MDarringer - 6/27/2016 8:27:59 AM

-3 Boost

I agree. I'd love to see BMW have the balls to do face without the kidneys and let the emblem on the hood do the talking.

knowitall1985 - 6/27/2016 3:39:15 PM

+3 Boost

BMW is lost in the styling dept. They need Bangle back....

GermanNut - 6/27/2016 4:19:12 PM

+1 Boost

More than anything BMW needs a more luxurious interior design direction. The large amounts of cheap plastic found in all its models with the exception of the 7-Series should be very concerning.

Mercedes-Benz has clearly improved its interior quality and its sales number are skyrocketing both in the United States and globally. Audi has transitioned to a minimalist and clean but still high-quality design direction with a focus on technology (TFT display).

BMW is trailing Mercedes-Benz and Audi in the quality and technology of its interiors and its paying a very heavy price because of it.