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The BMW i3 50 xDrive (Neue Klasse)

BMW (i3 Neue Klasse)

The New BMW i3 50 xDrive: Meet the Electric Sport Sedan That Starts BMW's Next Chapter

The new BMW i3 50 xDrive is an all-electric sport sedan built on BMW's Neue Klasse platform. It delivers 469 horsepower, all-wheel drive, an 800-volt electrical system, and DC fast charging at up to 400 kW. Think of it as the 3 Series reimagined for the electric era, and it's one of the most important sedans BMW has built in decades.

If the name takes you back to the quirky little carbon-fiber city car from a decade ago, set that picture aside. This i3 is a completely different animal. It's low, it's sleek, it's properly quick, and it's aimed squarely at the kind of driver who has always loved a 3 Series: someone who wants a car that feels alive on Grizzly Peak on Saturday and effortless on I-880 on Monday. Here's what makes it special, and why we think East Bay drivers are going to fall hard for it.

What Is the Neue Klasse, and Why Does It Matter for the i3?

Neue Klasse means "New Class," and BMW doesn't use that name lightly. The original Neue Klasse sedans of the early 1960s rescued the company and defined what a BMW sport sedan should be. The modern Neue Klasse is BMW's clean-sheet platform for its next generation of vehicles, combining a new battery and drivetrain, a new digital cockpit, and a new design language.

The BMW iX3 was the first Neue Klasse model to arrive. The i3 50 xDrive brings the same technology to the sedan, and that's a big deal. The 3 Series has been the benchmark sport sedan for generations, so building its electric counterpart on this platform tells you exactly how much confidence BMW has in it.

How Powerful Is the BMW i3 50 xDrive?

With 469 horsepower sent through a dual-motor xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the i3 50 xDrive has serious performance on tap. Electric torque arrives instantly, which makes merging onto I-80 at rush hour or passing on Highway 24 feel almost casual. The all-wheel drive also gives you real confidence on wet winter roads in the Berkeley Hills or on a rainy run over the Altamont.

Underneath it all is BMW's sixth-generation eDrive system running on an 800-volt architecture. Higher voltage means the car can move energy more efficiently, which helps with both range and charging speed. Here's a quick look at the key numbers.

Specification

BMW i3 50 xDrive

Platform

Neue Klasse

Powertrain

Gen6 eDrive, dual-motor all-wheel drive

Maximum power

469 hp

Electrical architecture

800 volts

Peak DC fast charging

Up to 400 kW

Estimated range

Up to 563 miles (European WLTP estimate; official EPA rating not yet announced)

Trunk capacity

420 to 520 liters (roughly 14.8 to 18.4 cu. ft.)

Front trunk

58 liters (roughly 2 cu. ft.)

Wheels

20-inch alloys

Range and cargo figures are based on European testing and measurements. Official US EPA figures and final US specifications had not been published at the time of writing.

How Far Can the i3 50 xDrive Go on a Charge?

BMW estimates up to 563 miles on the European WLTP test cycle. WLTP numbers typically run higher than the EPA ratings US drivers see on window stickers, so expect the official US figure to come in lower once it's announced. Even so, this is a genuinely long-legged electric sedan. For most Bay Area drivers, a week of commuting from Walnut Creek to San Francisco, or from Fremont to Oakland, looks like a charge-once-a-week kind of routine with home charging.

When you do need a fast charge on the road, the 400 kW peak charging capability is the headline. It's among the fastest charging speeds available on any production car today, which means less time standing around at a charger on the way to Tahoe or down to Monterey and more time actually enjoying the trip.

What Does the New BMW i3 Look Like?

The design is where the Neue Klasse really announces itself. The proportions echo classic BMW sedans, with a long, clean profile and a squared-off, compact rear that sport sedan fans will recognize immediately. The famous Hofmeister kink is still there in the rear window line, and a higher, softer character line makes the car look longer and leaner.

Up front, the kidney grille has been reinterpreted with illuminated elements, flanked by sharp LED lighting and a double-stepped front splitter that helps manage airflow. The door handles sit completely flush with the body and open with a capacitive touch, which keeps the sides smooth and slippery through the air. Around back, wraparound LED taillights and a sporty rear diffuser with a centered reverse light finish things off. It rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and looks planted just sitting still.

What's Inside the i3 50 xDrive?

BMW Panoramic Vision

The first thing you'll notice from the driver's seat is BMW Panoramic Vision. It's a display that stretches across the full width of the car at the base of the windshield, putting key driving information right along your natural line of sight. It works almost like an extra-wide head-up display, so you can keep your eyes up and on the road through the Caldecott Tunnel or across the Bay Bridge.

BMW Operating System X

A free-standing center display runs BMW's new Operating System X, and in true BMW fashion it's angled toward the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are built in. Climate and seat heating controls live in the touchscreen, which keeps the center console refreshingly uncluttered.

Controls and Cabin Feel

The new four-spoke steering wheel carries physical switches with a satisfying click, so the controls you use most still feel tactile. Ambient lighting is built right into the layered interior panels, giving the cabin a sense of depth at night, and a panoramic glass roof lets the Bay Area light pour in during the day.

Is the BMW i3 50 xDrive Practical for Everyday Life?

Absolutely. The rear trunk offers roughly 420 to 520 liters of cargo space depending on configuration, which is plenty for a Costco run, a set of golf clubs, or luggage for a weekend in Napa. There's also a front trunk of about 58 liters, a handy spot for charging cables so they're not rattling around with your groceries. Low, sporty, and genuinely useful is a combination BMW sedans have always done well, and the i3 keeps that tradition going.

Why Explore the New i3 at Weatherford BMW?

We've been part of the Berkeley community for a long time, and we know our drivers. Some of you are coming out of a 3 Series you've loved for years. Some of you are ready for your first electric car and want honest answers before you commit. Either way, our team will walk you through the i3 50 xDrive, talk through home charging for your house or condo, and help you understand your options with BMW Financial Services.

And the relationship doesn't end when you drive away. Our factory-trained service team works on BMW's latest electric technology every day, so the same people who helped you choose your car are here to take care of it for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the new BMW i3 the same as the old i3?

No. The original i3 was a compact city car. The new i3 50 xDrive is a full-size electric sport sedan built on the Neue Klasse platform and positioned as the electric counterpart to the 3 Series.

How fast does the BMW i3 50 xDrive charge?

It supports DC fast charging at up to 400 kW thanks to its 800-volt Gen6 eDrive architecture, one of the fastest charging capabilities available on any production vehicle.

What is the range of the BMW i3 50 xDrive?

BMW estimates up to 563 miles on the European WLTP cycle. Official US EPA range has not been announced yet and is expected to be lower than the WLTP figure.

Does the BMW i3 50 xDrive have all-wheel drive?

Yes. The "xDrive" in the name means it uses BMW's dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, producing 469 horsepower.

See the Future of the BMW Sport Sedan in Berkeley

The i3 50 xDrive is the kind of car that makes more sense once you've sat in it and felt what it can do. Stop by Weatherford BMW at 735 Ashby Avenue in Berkeley, call us at 510-495-0810, or browse our electric BMW inventory and schedule a test drive to see it for yourself. Whether you're coming from Oakland, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, or anywhere around the Bay, we'd love to show you where the Ultimate Driving Machine goes next.


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Road Hazard

Is buy 2 tires get 2 tires free a real deal?

Why Buy Your Next Set of Tires at Weatherford BMW of Berkeley Nobody plans for tires. You plan for a vacation, a lease payoff, a set of winter plans up at Tahoe. Tires happen to you, usually on a Tuesday, usually because something sharp was lying in the right lane of I-580 and you never saw it. If you drive a BMW anywhere around Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond or over the bridge into San Francisco, you already know what our pavement does to a set of tires. Bay Area roads have ranked among the roughest in the country for years. Potholes open up every winter, patch jobs turn into small canyons by spring, and the low-profile rubber that makes your car handle the way it does is the part taking every hit. So when it is time, where should you buy? We think the answer is the place that knows your car, stocks the right tire for it, stands behind what it sells, and tells you the price before you have to ask. Here is what that looks like at Weatherford BMW. Does Weatherford BMW include road hazard coverage on tires? Yes, and it costs you nothing extra. Eligible tires purchased through our BMW Tire Center come with 12 months of road hazard coverage included in the purchase. You are not buying an add-on, you are not signing up for a plan, and nobody is going to try to sell you the coverage at the cashier window. It is simply part of buying your tires here. Road hazard damage is the everyday stuff: a puncture, a bruise, or an impact break that happens during normal driving on a public road. Nails, glass and potholes are the classic examples, and all three are in generous supply between the Caldecott Tunnel and the Bay Bridge. Coverage runs for 12 months from the date on your original invoice, or until the tread wears down to 2/32 of an inch, whichever comes first. If a covered tire gets taken out by a road hazard, it gets replaced rather than patched, with the same make and model when it is available or a comparable tire when it is not. Bring the car back to us whenever you can, hang onto your original invoice because you will need it for the claim, and if you are out of town when it happens, any participating BMW center in the country can handle it. A few honest caveats, because the point of this post is to tell you things before you find them out the hard way. The program covers tires, not wheels. Cosmetic damage that does not affect the structure of the tire is not covered. Neither is damage from a collision, vandalism, off-road driving, or a mechanical problem like a blown strut chewing through a tire. Coverage stays with you as the original purchaser and does not transfer to the next owner of the car. Your service advisor can walk you through the full terms in about two minutes. Why do we offer Buy 2, Get 2 Free? Honest answer: because we would rather earn the whole car than win an argument over one tire. For years we were the home of Buy 3, Get 1 Free. It was a genuinely good deal, it worked, and eventually other stores in the area started running the same thing. Fair enough. So we did one better and went to Buy 2, Get 2 Free. Buy two qualifying OEM tires and the other two come with them, which is about as close as anyone in this market gets to putting a full set of factory tires on your BMW for the price of half of one. There is a real reason we built the offer around a full set instead of discounting tires one at a time. Your car cares about matched tires more than most cars do. BMW asks that rolling diameters stay within a tight tolerance across all four corners, and on xDrive models a meaningful tread difference between axles puts genuine strain on the transfer case and differentials. Plenty of owners have learned that through a repair bill. If your car wears a staggered setup, with wider rubber at the rear, you cannot rotate your way out of uneven wear either. Four matched tires is usually what the car actually wants, so we priced the thing the car wants instead of the thing that looks cheapest on a sign. We would also rather you spend that saved money on the parts of the job that protect the tires, which brings us to the terms. What are the terms of Buy 2, Get 2 Free? Two conditions, and both of them exist for a reason. The offer applies to OEM tires, and a four-wheel alignment is required with the purchase. Bring the coupon with you, one per customer, and it cannot be stacked with other coupons, discounts or advertised specials. You will find the current offer and its full disclaimer on our service and parts specials page, and your advisor will walk you through it before anything gets mounted. What does OEM mean when we talk about tires? OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer. In tire terms, it means the exact tire BMW specified for your car when it was built, not just a tire that happens to come in the same size. You can usually spot one by a small star stamped on the sidewall. That star means the tire was developed alongside BMW to hit targets the engineers set for that specific model: steering response, wet grip, noise at freeway speed, ride quality, the way the car settles when you lift mid-corner coming down Grizzly Peak. A tire without it is engineered to be acceptable on dozens of different vehicles rather than tuned for yours. Same size, different animal. This matters more on a BMW than on most cars because so much of the suspension calibration assumes that tire. It matters even more on run-flats. Many BMWs leave the factory with no spare at all, because the reinforced sidewall is designed to get you home after a puncture, and that sidewall is also part of how the car rides. Swap run-flats for conventional tires with no inflation kit in the trunk and a flat on the shoulder of Highway 24 turns into a tow instead of a slow drive to Ashby Avenue. Some owners prefer the softer ride and that is a perfectly reasonable choice, but it should be your decision, made on purpose, not one a counter clerk makes for you. Every OEM tire qualifies for Buy 2, Get 2 Free, which is the other half of why we run the offer. We want the factory tire back on the car. Why is an alignment required with the offer? Because a free set of tires is worth nothing if the car eats them in a year. Alignment is the set of angles that determine how your tires meet the road. Knock those angles out of spec and the tires stop rolling straight, they start scrubbing, and the wear shows up fast as feathered edges, one shoulder gone before the other, or cupping across the tread. We see cars come in with half the tread life used up for no reason other than an alignment nobody ever checked. Now consider where you drive. Potholes, sunken utility cuts, broken pavement on the approach roads, curbs on tight Berkeley and Oakland streets. That is exactly the environment that knocks alignment out, and hitting one hard pothole is enough to do it. Putting four new tires on a car with a bad alignment is like putting new soles on a shoe you are walking crooked in. So we require the alignment, and we set the car back to factory spec. It protects the tires you just got, it keeps the car tracking straight and the steering wheel centered, and it is the difference between a set that goes the distance and a set that quietly disappears. Uneven wear is also a message, not a coincidence, so if the alignment will not hold we will tell you what is actually worn underneath rather than sending you back out to repeat the problem. Do you have my tire size in stock? Almost certainly. We carry the largest tire inventory in the Bay Area, and we stock anything and everything OEM. Square setups, staggered setups, run-flats, summer, all-season and winter fitments, everything from a compact X1 up through the wide rear rubber on an M car. The reason that matters is time. If nobody local stocks your size, you are waiting on a shipment, driving on a damaged tire in the meantime or riding on a mobility kit. Having the right tire on the shelf means you can often come in and leave the same day with the correct factory tire on the car instead of whatever a warehouse could ship by Thursday. You can see what we do in our Tire and Brake Center, and calling ahead with your model and size lets us confirm your fitment before you drive over. Dealer, tire chain or online: what is the real difference? The sticker price on a tire is rarely the number you pay, and it is almost never the whole comparison. Here is how the three paths usually stack up. What matters Weatherford BMW National tire chain Online retailer OEM star-marked tire Standard, full OEM inventory in stock Limited selection, often a substitute Available if you know the code to search Road hazard coverage Included at no extra cost on eligible tires Usually sold separately as an add-on Sold separately or not offered Mounting and balancing Done here by BMW technicians Included, equipment varies You arrange it and pay separately Tire monitoring reset Reset before the car leaves Varies by location Handled by whoever installs Alignment Done in house and included in the offer terms Available, usually extra Not offered Who touches the car BMW-trained technicians General technicians, all makes Unknown until you get there Price protection BMW Tire Price Match Promise Varies No local recourse If something goes wrong Your dealer, with your service history Store policy Ship it back Compare out-the-door totals with coverage, balancing and alignment included, not the number on a web page. That is the comparison we are happy to have. What if I find a lower price somewhere else? Bring it to us. The BMW Tire Price Match Promise lets us match an eligible competitor quote on the same tire, either at the time of purchase or within 30 days after it. The quote needs to be for an identical tire the competitor actually has in stock, from a local retailer with a physical location, and it needs to include installation and all the other charges so we are comparing the same thing. That last part matters more than people expect. By the time you add mounting, balancing, valve or monitoring service, disposal fees and tax, and then add road hazard coverage that many shops sell separately, the quote that looked lower on the screen often is not. How do I know when my BMW needs new tires? The legal minimum in California is 2/32 of an inch of tread, but that is the point at which a tire is finished, not the point at which it is still doing its job. Wet grip falls off long before you get there, and we get real rain from roughly November through March. If you are down around 4/32, start shopping, especially if your commute includes the Bay Bridge in a downpour. Age matters too, even on a car that does not see many miles. Rubber hardens over time and a lot of Bay Area cars sit outside in the sun. Once tires pass about six years old, have them looked at regardless of how much tread is left, and check the sidewalls for fine cracking. A vibration that showed up right after you hit something is worth a look, since a bent wheel and a damaged tire often travel together. And if you drive on run-flats, trust the warning on the screen rather than your instincts, because run-flats are good enough at hiding a puncture that plenty of owners drive for days on one without noticing. Frequently asked questions about BMW tires Which tires qualify for Buy 2, Get 2 Free? All OEM tires qualify. A four-wheel alignment is required with the purchase, the coupon must be presented when the service order is written, and it is one per customer. Full terms are on our service and parts specials page. Do I have to buy star-approved OEM tires for my BMW? You are not required to, and we will tell you honestly when something else is a reasonable option for how you drive. That said, OEM tires usually cost about the same as the identical tire without the star, they were tuned for your specific model, and they are the ones that qualify for the offer, so for most owners there is no good reason to skip them. Can I replace just two tires instead of four? Sometimes, yes. If the remaining two have plenty of tread and the wear difference is small, replacing an axle pair is fine and the new tires go on the rear. On xDrive models and staggered setups the tolerances are tighter, so we will measure and tell you straight whether two is safe or whether four is the better call. Does road hazard coverage include my wheels? No. The complimentary program covers eligible tires only. Bent and cracked wheels are common around here, so if wheel protection matters to you, ask us about the separate tire and wheel coverage available through BMW Financial Services. Do you balance the tires you install? Yes. Every tire we install is balanced, torqued to factory spec and the tire monitoring system is reset before the car leaves. Come see us on Ashby Avenue Tires are one of the few purchases where the cheapest number on a screen and the best value for your car are almost never the same thing. Road hazard coverage included at no charge, Buy 2 Get 2 Free on OEM tires with alignment, the largest tire inventory in the Bay Area, a price match on identical tires, and technicians who work on BMWs and nothing else. We think that math is hard to beat. Weatherford BMW of Berkeley is at 735 Ashby Avenue, minutes from Oakland, Emeryville and the Bay Bridge approach, and an easy run from Walnut Creek, Richmond and the rest of the East Bay. Call our service team at 510-495-0810, schedule your tire service online, or check the current service and parts specials. Tell us what you drive and we will confirm your size and quote you a real out-the-door number before you come in.

The All-New 2027 BMW X5 and iX5 and What they Mean for Bay Area Drivers

First Look: The All-New 2027 BMW X5 and iX5 and What They Mean for Bay Area Drivers A closer look at the fifth-generation X5 from Weatherford BMW of Berkeley The BMW X5 has long been one of the most popular vehicles on Bay Area roads, and for good reason. It is big enough for the family, composed enough to enjoy on a Sunday run over Highway 24, and premium enough to feel special whether you are crossing the Bay Bridge or pulling into a driveway in Walnut Creek. Now BMW has revealed the next chapter: the all-new fifth-generation X5, and it is shaping up to be the most ambitious version yet. At Weatherford BMW of Berkeley, we have been following this new X5 closely, and there is a lot worth getting excited about. Here is what BMW has confirmed so far, and why we think it will feel right at home on the roads from Richmond to Fremont. The Power of Choice: Five Drive Systems in One Model Since its debut in 1999, the X5 has defined the BMW X family and helped shape the modern premium Sports Activity Vehicle. The new generation carries that leadership forward as the first BMW to launch with five drive system types, depending on market, giving Bay Area buyers an unprecedented level of choice. The 2027 X5 lineup includes an inline-six with 48-volt mild hybrid technology, the X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid, the first all-electric BMW iX5, and, at a later stage, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, BMW’s first hydrogen-powered production vehicle. Few SUVs offer this much range of choice under one roof, and in a region as varied as the Bay Area, that flexibility matters. The rollout begins in October with the X5 40 xDrive. The rear-wheel-drive X5 40, the X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid, and the battery-electric iX5 60 xDrive follow in the first quarter of 2027. Additional models, including a V8-powered M Performance variant, are scheduled to arrive later in 2027. A Striking New Design With Unmistakable X Presence The new X5 blends familiar X proportions with the design language of the Neue Klasse. Across every drivetrain, it keeps the commanding presence and classic SUV stance that have defined the model for generations. The upright front end is noticeably taller than before, with crisp surfaces, a larger matte-finish BMW badge, and precisely modeled hood lines. Front-apron design varies by powertrain: horizontal air intakes emphasize sportiness on combustion models, while the iX5 uses a continuous apron for a more elegant, fully electric expression. The defining element is the reduced, vertically aligned BMW kidney Iconic Glow. Integrated into the daytime driving lights with new double-X light icons, it stays illuminated day and night and forms part of the Welcome Light animation. Those double-X icons make their BMW debut here, combining low beams, daytime running lights, side lights, and turn signals into a single element. From the side, the X5 looks carved from a single piece. Hidden window seals create flush transitions between painted and glass surfaces, and new BMW Winglet door handles integrated into the B- and C-pillars leave the door surfaces uninterrupted. Sharp, angular wheel arches frame the large wheels and reinforce the powerful X stance. Personalization runs deep, with eleven exterior paint colors and ten wheel designs. 21-inch light-alloy wheels are standard, with 22-inch and, for the first time on the X5, 23-inch wheels available. The First All-Electric BMW iX5: Range That Changes the Math The iX5 60 xDrive is the headline. It launches with sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology, an 800-volt architecture, and an estimated 435 miles of range on a full charge, a preliminary estimate based on BMW AG testing following EPA procedures. For Bay Area drivers, that number reframes what an electric SUV can do. Berkeley to Los Angeles becomes a single-stop trip. A week of commuting between Oakland and San Francisco barely touches the battery. Two motors deliver a combined 570 horsepower and 593 lb-ft of torque, with 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 4.4 seconds. The rear axle uses an electrically excited synchronous motor developed specifically for the 800-volt architecture, while a compact asynchronous motor at the front axle can switch off entirely at reduced loads, letting the iX5 drive on the rear axle alone for greater efficiency. Charging is where the Gen6 system really separates itself. The iX5 supports DC charging at up to 460 kW, taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in roughly 22 minutes and adding an estimated 170 miles of range in about 10 minutes. A standard NACS charging port opens up a much wider network for road trips up to Tahoe or down the coast. Battery preconditioning warms or cools the pack automatically when BMW Maps is navigating to a DC charger, so you arrive ready to charge at full speed. Every iX5 also includes bidirectional charging. Vehicle-to-Load turns the SUV into a mobile power bank, Vehicle-to-Home can supply power during an outage, and Vehicle-to-Vehicle lets you share power with another EV. For anyone in the East Bay or Marin County who has sat through a public safety power shutoff, that last capability is more than a spec sheet line. The X5 50e xDrive: A Plug-In Hybrid Built for Bay Area Commutes For many buyers, the plug-in hybrid will be the sweet spot. The X5 50e xDrive pairs the updated inline-six with a 194-horsepower electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, drawing from a 26.5 kWh usable battery in the underbody. Combined output is 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, good for 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Estimated all-electric range is up to 44 miles, an improvement of roughly 15 percent over the previous generation, and the 50e can run on pure electric power up to 87 mph. Consider that the average American drives around 32 miles per day. A commute from Oakland to San Francisco and back, or a round of errands through Concord and Pleasanton, could happen almost entirely on electric power, with the gas engine waiting quietly in reserve for longer trips. The X5 40 and 40 xDrive: An Entry Point That Does Not Feel Like One The gas X5 is powered by the latest BMW 3.0-liter inline-six with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. A new turbocharger raises output by 19 horsepower to 394 horsepower, while peak torque climbs from 383 to 428 lb-ft. That is good for 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, or 4.8 seconds with a one-foot rollout. The updated B58 engine uses the Miller combustion cycle to improve efficiency, with optimized intake ports and combustion chambers, electric VANOS variable camshaft timing, and an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head. Switchable exhaust-side rocker arms cut drag torque on overrun by around two thirds, letting the mild hybrid system recover more braking energy. The 48-volt system itself uses a crankshaft-mounted starter generator built into the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, adding up to 148 lb-ft of torque and 17 horsepower of electric boost when pulling away or accelerating. It also smooths out Automatic Start/Stop, which you notice every day in stop-and-go traffic on I-880. A Chassis That Feels More Connected Underneath the familiar silhouette, BMW made meaningful changes that drivers will feel before they can name them. The double-wishbone front axle and five-link rear axle are adapted to each drivetrain, with increased track width, standard mixed-size tires, and additional body stiffness sharpening precision. New acoustically decoupled steering and a new steering gear improve both comfort and control. Adaptive suspension is standard, with dampers controlled electronically at each wheel and weight distribution close to 50:50. Optional adaptive two-axle air suspension adds automatic self-leveling and adjustable ride height, including a Low setting that drops the X5 by 40 millimeters when parked to make loading and entry easier. For the electric iX5 and the 50e plug-in hybrid, optional Adaptive Chassis Control Professional brings active roll stabilization, using a 48-volt motor at the center of each axle to counteract body roll through corners. Integral Active Steering turns the rear wheels by up to 3.2 degrees, tightening the turning circle by around 2.5 feet at low speed. That is a genuine advantage when you are parallel parking in Berkeley or working through a tight garage in San Francisco. The iX5 goes further still with the Heart of Joy, a dedicated control unit developed in-house that acts up to ten times faster than previous systems, adjusting drive, brakes, steering functions, charging, and recuperation in milliseconds. It reduces corrective inputs, keeps cornering behavior consistent, and enables BMW Soft Stop, which brings the vehicle to a standstill using precise electric-motor control without jerking or brake noise. On a crawling I-580 commute, that detail changes the whole texture of the drive. A Calm, Sophisticated Interior With Neue Klasse Technology Inside, the monolithic exterior design flows into a cabin that feels open and uncluttered. An elevated seating position, large door trim surfaces, and a redesigned instrument panel keep attention on the road. A backlit accent strip with integrated ambient lighting wraps from door to door, shifting color and brightness with the time of day and the selected My Mode. BMW introduces slate as a decorative surface in the X5 for the first time through the optional BMW Individual Clear & Bold interior application, pairing it with crystal glass elements on the gear selector, volume controls, and seat-adjustment controls. Comfort features run deep. A panoramic glass sunroof with an opening front section is standard, covering roughly 28 square feet across two glass elements. Heated sports seats come standard with high-quality Veganza upholstery, and multifunction seats with ventilation and massage are available through the Luxury Seating Package or Climate Package. BMW Individual Merino Leather is offered exclusively with multifunction seats. Rear passengers get a two-degree flatter torso angle and more knee room, helped by a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase. Audio starts with a 280-watt, 12-speaker HiFi System Professional, with an optional Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System reaching as much as 775 watts across up to 18 speakers, with Dolby Atmos support for a three-dimensional soundscape. BMW Panoramic iDrive and Operating System X The new X5 debuts BMW Panoramic iDrive, built on BMW Operating System X. At its heart is BMW Panoramic Vision, which projects content across the full width of the lower windshield. Driving information appears on the left in the driver’s field of view without obstructing the road, while the center and right areas can be personalized and seen by every passenger. A standard 3D Head-Up Display sits above it, projecting navigation guidance and driver assistance content directly into the driver’s line of sight. The 17.9-inch free-cut Central Display is the primary touch interface, with matrix backlight technology for crisp graphics and strong readability. Widgets can be dragged from the Central Display over to Panoramic Vision, with up to six arranged for quick access. The new multifunction steering wheel follows a shy-tech philosophy, illuminating controls only when a function is available and providing haptic feedback so key actions happen without eyes leaving the road. Operating System X is built on the Android Open Source Project, which supports over-the-air updates and the continuous addition of new functions over the life of the vehicle. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is enhanced with Amazon’s Alexa+ AI technology, enabling natural-language control of vehicle functions, navigation, and media without memorized commands. A new Routines function lets the assistant learn patterns, so a set of actions you always take on a hot afternoon or a cold morning can happen automatically. Also new to the X5 is the optional BMW Passenger Screen, a 14.6-inch full-HD display beside the Central Display that gives the front passenger access to streaming, gaming, and video conferencing on the move. An interior camera detects driver distraction and automatically darkens the screen. Driver Assistance Designed Around the Driver BMW Symbiotic Drive shapes how the X5’s Level 2 assistance systems behave. Rather than chasing maximum automation, the emphasis is on assistance that is useful, controllable, and confidence inspiring. Even with assistance active, the driver can accelerate, steer, or brake without deactivating the system. Driving Assistant Plus is standard, helping control speed, maintain distance, and keep the X5 centered in its lane, and adjusting speed for detected limits, corners, roundabouts, and turns. The optional Highway Assistant allows hands-free driving on suitable limited-access highways at speeds up to 85 mph when conditions permit, with Active Lane Change with Eye Activation: a glance toward the appropriate mirror confirms a recommended lane change. On a long I-80 run, that is a meaningfully less tiring drive. Standard active safety includes Lane Keeping Assistant, Active Blind Spot Detection, Side Collision Protection, and Crossing Traffic Warning with Brake Intervention. Emergency Brake Assistant with Evasion Assistant can now respond to wildlife crossing the road, and exit warning can delay door opening when a cyclist is approaching, which is no small thing on Berkeley and Oakland streets. Parking has been rethought as well. Optional Parking Assistant Plus adds AI-supported parking space detection with a redesigned surround visualization and 360-degree views, and Maneuver Assistant can record and repeat recurring maneuvers up to 600 feet. Parking Assistant Professional adds Remote Control Parking from up to 15 feet away using the My BMW App. For anyone who has hunted for street parking in San Francisco, a smarter, quicker parking assistant is genuinely useful. Pricing and Availability The 2027 BMW X5 40 carries a base MSRP of $69,800, with the X5 40 xDrive starting at $72,100. The X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid opens at $77,500, and the all-electric iX5 60 xDrive at $79,800. Each requires a destination and handling charge of $1,450. Final specifications continue to be confirmed, and the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is planned for a later release. We will share confirmed details as they become official. Be Among the First to Experience the New X5 in Berkeley Whether you are drawn to the 435-mile range of the all-electric iX5, the everyday flexibility of the 50e plug-in hybrid, or the connected feel of the inline-six X5 40 xDrive, the next-generation BMW X5 has a version suited to the way Bay Area drivers actually live and commute. Weatherford BMW of Berkeley proudly serves drivers from Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasanton, Fremont, Richmond, Marin County, and the surrounding communities. To learn more about the upcoming X5 and iX5, ask about availability, or explore financing options through BMW Financial Services, contact our team today. When the new X5 arrives, we would be glad to arrange a test drive so you can feel the difference for yourself on the roads you know best.

A sleek BMW SUV parked in front of a modern building with a clear blue sky above

Best BMW Gas Mileage: What to Know About the 2026 BMW Lineup

Drivers who want a new car often look for high fuel efficiency. Weatherford BMW in Berkeley, CA, has many vehicles that offer good gas mileage. If you want a luxury vehicle that uses less fuel, you should look at the 2026 BMW X3 and the 2026 BMW X6. You can contact our team to learn more about these models. more Best BMW Gas Mileage in the 2026 Lineup The 2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive is a top choice for gas mileage in the 2026 lineup. This model uses a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. It provides a balance of utility and efficiency for people who drive every day. This SUV is a good option for drivers who want to spend less on fuel during long trips. The X3 is a compact luxury SUV. It offers a comfortable interior and good fuel economy for its size. It is a logical choice for people who want premium features and lower fuel costs. 2026 BMW X6: Performance With Refinement The 2026 BMW X6 xDrive40i is another option. It uses a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine. This engine has a 48V mild-hybrid system. This system helps the car use fuel more efficiently. It saves energy when the car slows down and helps the engine during certain driving tasks. The X6 offers 3 trim levels, which include the xDrive40i, the M60i, and the X6 M Competition. Each trim has different features and power levels. The mild-hybrid technology makes the engine run more smoothly. X6 Performance Specs The 2026 BMW X6 xDrive40i has 375 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The car comes with 20" wheels as a standard feature. The xDrive all-wheel drive system helps the car grip the road in rain or on dirt. The X6 can tow up to 7,209 pounds. It has 27.4 cubic feet of space for cargo behind the second row. If you fold the seats down, the space increases to 59.6 cubic feet. Interior and Technology Features The X6 interior has a 12.3" digital display for the driver. It also has a 14.9" center screen for the infotainment system. These screens are part of a single curved display. The system includes Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® as standard features. The cabin includes 4-zone climate control and a Harman Kardon sound system. The seats provide support for the driver and 4 passengers. Safety and Driver Assistance The X6 includes many safety tools. The Driving Assistant Package has blind spot detection and lane keeping help. It also has systems to help prevent front crashes. You can add the Driving Assistant Professional Package. This adds a highway assistant and a tool for emergency stops. A parking assistant with a 3D view is also available to help with trailers. Reach Out to Weatherford BMW You can explore the efficient BMW X3 or the powerful X6 at Weatherford BMW of Berkeley. Each model offers unique features to suit different lifestyles and driving needs. Visit the dealership or speak with our friendly staff to see the latest inventory and find the perfect SUV for you. Weatherford BMW of Berkeley is proud to serve the community with a simple, stress-free buying experience.