Quick Highlights:
- BMW will produce its first hydrogen SUV in 2028, called X5 Hydrogen Fuel Cell.
- There will be five engine options: gas, diesel, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen.
- The SUV has Neue Klasse styling with a simple interior and easy-to-use tech.
- Standard X5 models start in 2026; the hydrogen version follows in 2028.
BMW is preparing to shake up the luxury SUV segment with the 2028 BMW X5 Hydrogen Fuel Cell. The X5 has long offered gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric options, but the new hydrogen model is something different. It’s one of the few mainstream SUVs anywhere to bring fuel-cell technology to production, giving drivers a clean-energy alternative without compromising the X5’s signature performance and versatility.
The hydrogen system comes from a collaboration with Toyota. Using a third-generation fuel-cell setup, it promises strong range, efficient energy use, and solid performance. BMW has experimented with hydrogen for decades, but the iX5 Hydrogen is the first model to reach series production. This shows BMW isn’t just testing the waters—they are committing to hydrogen as a viable option for the future of SUVs. BMW says the iX5 Hydrogen will deliver the brand’s typical driving pleasure.
Five Powertrains for Maximum Choice
There are five powertrains in the forthcoming X5 that are being made more versatile than ever before by BMW.
- Gasoline: It is the well-known B57 3.0-litre inline-six but upgraded to Euro 7 ratings. It guarantees a pleasant operation and the type of responsive manoeuvrability BMW drivers are used to.
- Diesel: The diesel is primarily targeted at Europe and some other markets, and is not likely to be offered in the U.S., where it keeps the long-distance efficiency alive.
- Plug-in Hybrid: This is a combination of the conventional engine and electric support and proposes a compromise between efficiency and performance in the global markets.
- Battery-Electric: The electric X5 is expected to use Gen6 motors and batteries similar to the iX3 to provide zero-emission driving to an international customer base.
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell: The iX5 Hydrogen will be introduced in limited regions, which will provide a clean-energy choice to drivers, likely limited to areas where hydrogen infrastructure is sufficiently developed.
These five options make BMW sure that there is a variant of the X5 that would suit nearly any type of consumer, whether the person is obsessed with classic engines or is ready to switch to EVs or hydrogen. It is a showroom that is supposed to have the luxury SUV market covered from almost all angles.
Design and Interior Innovations
The 2028 X5 adopts BMW’s Neue Klasse design philosophy, introducing a sleek, minimalist interior and retro-inspired exterior cues. Highlights include:
- Vertical kidney grilles inspired by the iX3, hiding advanced sensors and cameras.
- Winglet-style door handles integrated into the beltline for a clean profile.
- Split tailgate design bisected by a black horizontal line, with wider taillights, enhancing both style and functionality.
- Cabin technology features a 17.9-inch central screen and Panoramic Vision projection system replacing the traditional instrument cluster.
- BMW is moving away from rotary knobs and conventional controls, favoring touchscreen and digital interfaces, providing a futuristic yet intuitive driving experience.
Hydrogen Infrastructure and the Future
BMW is not only creating a hydrogen SUV but it is also considering how this vehicle will be fueled by the drivers. The company has been building more hydrogen stations as part of its HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) programme, and pilot projects have already been launched in Germany and France. The concept is straightforward: where the electric charging network is not dense enough, hydrogen can step in and provide the opportunity to drive long distances with zero-emission.
The standard models (gas, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric) will be put into production in 2026. BMW X5 Hydrogen Fuel Cell 2028 will come two years later and probably will be offered only in select regions with sufficient hydrogen infrastructure. BMW has even implied a potential range-extending feature on the EV X5, similar to the i3 REx, but specifications have not been confirmed.
It is an indication that BMW is not merely testing the water, but preparing for a future where hydrogen and electricity can be utilised together, allowing the driver a real choice without sacrificing convenience.
Conclusion
The new BMW X5 gives you options. Gas, diesel, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel-cell—pick what suits you. The hydrogen model is new and different. It’s not everywhere yet, but it shows BMW is willing to try something few others do.
Inside, the cabin is clean and simple. Tech is easy to use. The SUV still drives like a BMW—solid, comfortable, and predictable. You can go traditional, go electric, or try hydrogen. Either way, the X5 handles it.
I’ll be following every update on this SUV and the hydrogen rollout. If you want to know what’s really coming next, stick with me—I’ll bring you the details straight.
Source: BMW
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