BMW X5 History

Mid-size luxury SUV · 2000–present

Sample hero image — replace with real model photography.

History

Launched in 1999 for the 2000 model year, the X5 (E53) was BMW's first SUV — marketed as a 'Sports Activity Vehicle' — and was, like the Z3, built at Plant Spartanburg.

Across the E53, E70, F15, and G05 generations the X5 became one of BMW's best-sellers and the cornerstone of the X family, including the high-performance X5 M.

Generations

First generation · E53 (2000–2006)

Photo: “2002 BMW X5 Sport Automatic 4.4 Front” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

BMW's first SUV; defined the on-road 'Sports Activity Vehicle' idea.
- 2002
  Photo: “2002 BMW X5 Sport Automatic 4.4 Front” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation · E70 (2007–2013)

Introduced the xDrive name and an optional third row; first X5 M.
Third generation · F15 (2014–2018)

Added a plug-in-hybrid option.
Fourth generation · G05 (2019–present)

On the CLAR platform; the current X5, including the X5 M Competition.