Mazda Officially Confirms Hybrid Inline-Six Engine, Doesn't Rule Out Rotary

Imagine BMW without the X5? Though such a time did once exist, it’s difficult to recall. Nearly 30 years ago, the X5 opened the floodgates for SUVs (sorry—Sports Activity Vehicles) of all shapes and sizes to roll out of the company’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. This new, fifth-gen X5 marks arguably the biggest departure in the nameplate’s lineage, with a design that cleanly breaks from anything before it and a two-pronged powertrain approach that aims to keep purists happy while meeting future wants and needs. This First Drive will focus on the mild-hybrid, B58-powered 2027 BMW X5 40 xDrive; it starts at $73,550 delivered and is rolling into dealers as you read this. There’s also a rear-wheel-drive version for $2,300 less. The all-electric iX5 60 xDrive is covered in a separate story.

Matt Nelson is an automotive journalist with nearly a decade of experience in all things cars.  He's spent years working at dealerships in sales, finance, and service. He's since traded in his pens and wrenches for a keyboard, and leveraged the expertise gained from his work experience into a writing career. When it comes to cars, facts, and the truth, Matt’s equal love for all three meant automotive journalism was the only path forward. Ever since the age of six, when he’d spend his time helping his father fix his family’s old Buick, Matt has had a keen interest in anything and everything with four wheels. Naturally, once Matt started working, he ensconced himself in the automotive industry and held positions spanning from car detailer, mechanic, to automotive sales and finance. Because he’s seen it all, driven most, and heard a lot, auto journalism came naturally to him. With a passion for cars like Matt’s, it’s safe to say every article will showcase his penchant for truth, accuracy, and overarching desire to make sense of the modern, complex automotive world. This means every one of his readers can be at the forefront of the most important automotive news.

Gerhard started his career in automotive journalism in 2010, after finishing degrees in Communication, English, and Politics, and diplomas in Film and Art Appreciation and Graphic Design. He's currently a senior editor with experience in local and global coverage, and more than 1,000 test cars driven. He started his career at CarBuzz in January 2021. Once upon a time, the perfect sports sedan recipe was simple and readily available. You had a V8 engine up front, a manual gearbox and five seats in the middle, and drive sent to the rear axle. Those were simple times, and that recipe gave us some of the greatest cars of all time. From BMW M3s (E90) and M5s (E39) to more run-of-the-mill models like the Chevrolet SS and a plethora of American muscle sedans, there was an abundance of cars that fit that brief. But in the year of our Lord 2026, there is just one sedan left with a V8, a manual gearbox, and rear-wheel drive: the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.

Joel was previously an editor at Autoblog for nearly a decade, covering cars from humble economy hatchbacks to high-end sports cars. He has extensive driving experience with plenty of track time, and even dabbles in motorcycling. Joel has shared his experiences in the car world not just in text, but also on podcasts and web videos.

Michal studies Automotive Journalism at Coventry University in the UK, and has been writing for CarBuzz since March 2025. He was nominated for student culture piece of the year recently and has been the Vavel.com F1 Editor. He studied Journalism at university to combine his love of writing and cars. Michal's love for cars started when he couldn't sleep as a baby. His father would watch the only thing on TV to help them relax - Formula 1. Since then, he's felt like he's had a V10 ringing in his mind.

Kyle has written professionally across the motorsport and motoring world since graduating from Plymouth University in 2018, and has acted as the MotoGP editor for Motorsport Week and as a Features Writer for HotCars early in his career. He joined CarBuzz as a Features Correspondent in 2023. His future in the automotive world has been guaranteed since he was a kid, as he remembers rattling off the names of car brands as one of his earliest memories.