- BMW has canceled plans to build a dedicated off-road model based on the new X5 platform, according to a report by BMWBlog.
- The would-be off-roader was expected to arrive in 2029 and compete against time-tested models such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen and the Land Rover Range Rover.
- BMW never confirmed the rugged SUV's existence in the first place, let alone its cancellation. A spokesperson for BMW declined Car and Driver's request to confirm the new report.
Is it possible to miss something you never had? Or something that you're not even sure existed aside from a few rumors? We certainly think so. Our evidence? The reportedly canceled off-road-focused SUV from BMW. The news comes courtesy of BMWBlog, which reported that the German automaker has scrapped plans for the all-terrain SUV. We miss it already.
Production of the off-road-ready BMW was expected to start in the second half of 2029, according to sources familiar with the matter. The model carried the internal code G74, and would have been built on the same platform as the new X5, which was just revealed in late June. The new all-terrain model was expected to take the form of a three-row SUV and utilize a combustion powertrain.
Initial reports suggested that the model would be positioned as a rival to other luxury off-roaders, such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen and the Land Rover Range Rover. According to the BMWBlog report, inspiration for the project came after internally testing a Rivian R1T pickup.
According to BMWBlog, sources are saying that despite initial excitement surrounding the project, BMW ultimately decided that the luxury off-road segment is too small to justify the necessary investment. We should note that BMW had never confirmed the G74's existence, and potentially never will, assuming the reports of its demise are true. A spokesperson for the automaker declined Car and Driver's request to confirm the BMW Blog report.
➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.
Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.