2026 seems to be the year of refresh for German luxury car makers. The year started with Mercedes showing off the facelift of its new S-Class and the GLE facelift that is expected around May. BMW does not seem to be too far behind with its facelift schedule, as recently leaked images from a closed BMW presentation have surfaced online. We can see the upcoming 7 Series facelift, and we are sad to report that the XXL grille has managed to survive the refresh.
On the other hand, the next-generation BMW X5 was also sighted in these documents, indicating a cleaner design direction consistent with BMW’s Neue Klasse styling philosophy. This all-new X5 will compete directly with the Mercedes GLE, which is also scheduled to receive a facelift around May 2026.
BMW 7 Series Facelift
The upcoming BMW 7 Series facelift features no significant changes to the overall silhouette of the luxury sedan. However, BMW has updated the design elements of the 7 Series, with a new headlamp design featuring a cleaner take on BMW’s signature split headlamp setup, with slim daytime running lights at the top and projector lamps at the bottom.
BMW has doubled down on its controversial kidney grille by making it larger and more squared, with horizontal bars and an LED surround. BMW has also simplified the front bumper, removing the layered design, glossy black trim, and trapezoidal air dam of the previous model in favor of a cleaner front fascia.
2027 BMW X5
The next-generation BMW X5 is a bigger change in design. This is likely to be the first internal combustion SUV from BMW to feature the new design language, known as “Neue Klasse,” which was previously seen on other models such as the BMW iX3.
The front section of this SUV is dominated by slim LED-outlined kidney grilles, flanked by sleek black sections that house the headlights.
Side and Rear Design
The side profile of this SUV is marked by a smoother design, squared wheel arches, and features such as retractable door handles. This SUV looks more streamlined compared to its current version.
The rear section of this SUV is dominated by wide LED lamps running across the width of the SUV, though they are not joined in one piece. There is a sportier bumper design with four exhaust tips, which is likely to be an M Performance version of this SUV, along with a dual-ridge roof spoiler.
Launch Timeline
The BMW 7 Series facelift is expected to debut globally in the coming months, with an India launch likely to follow shortly after. The current model retails from ₹1.79 crore, and the update could push prices closer to ₹2 crore. The next-gen BMW X5 will arrive later in 2026 globally, with an India launch expected in 2027 at a premium over current prices.
