BMW Explains Why It Dumped the X5’s Split Tailgate

BMW has confirmed the fifth-generation X5 will arrive without its iconic split-folding tailgate, a feature that debuted with the original X5 in 1999. Speaking to journalists at the X5’s launch in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Philip Koehn, Director of Luxury Class Cars for BMW Alpina and Rolls-Royce, cited ergonomic struggles as the primary reason for the change. “Any average person with average arm length is actually struggling,” Koehn said. “The split tailgate is in itself a cool thing with the low-end opening, and a normal-sized person will really struggle to load, or even more importantly, unload the boot.” BMW also pointed to the new X5’s faster roofline, which has lowered the tailgate’s top edge, as a factor in redesigning the rear hatch. The wider aperture compensates for the reduced height, BMW claims, making it easier to load larger items despite the loss of the split gate. The 2027 BMW X5 is scheduled to reach dealerships in late 2026, offering gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrain options. Notably absent from the lineup will be the split tailgate. BMW provided no hard data or customer feedback percentages to support the decision, and social media reactions from current and former X5 owners suggest the feature was widely appreciated. Motor1’s editorial team questioned whether cost-cutting or aerodynamic priorities for the electric iX5 60 influenced the move, but acknowledged the loss of the split tailgate leaves the SUV segment with one fewer model offering the “perfect rear tailgate setup.”