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Why BMW Removed the X5’s Iconic Split Tailgate

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The BMW X5 split tailgate has been discontinued for the 2027 model year. BMW says the decision improves usability and cargo access, but many longtime owners may not agree.

Why BMW Removed the X5’s Iconic Split Tailgate

The BMW X5 split tailgate has been one of the luxury SUV’s defining features since the original model debuted in 1999. For more than two decades, it gave the X5 a distinctive identity while providing owners with a practical loading platform unlike most competitors.

That changes with the all-new 2027 BMW X5. The fifth-generation model abandons the split tailgate entirely, replacing it with a conventional one-piece liftgate. According to BMW, the decision was driven by customer usability and packaging improvements rather than cost savings.

BMW says the BMW X5 split tailgate wasn’t practical for every driver

According to BMW, customer feedback played a major role in the decision to eliminate the BMW X5 split tailgate.

Company executives explained that the lower section of the tailgate could make loading and unloading cargo more difficult, particularly for drivers with average reach. Rather than improving convenience, BMW believes the traditional two-piece design created unnecessary obstacles when accessing the cargo area.

The automaker says the new single-piece tailgate offers easier everyday usability while maintaining generous cargo access.

The split tailgate had been a signature feature of the BMW X5 since its debut in 1999.

The new BMW X5 design also influenced the decision

Beyond practicality, the redesigned body also contributed to the removal of the BMW X5 split tailgate.

BMW says the new X5 adopts a sleeker roofline that extends farther toward the rear, reducing the available height for the upper hatch. To compensate, engineers widened the cargo opening, creating easier access despite eliminating the lower folding section.

The revised rear design also aligns with BMW’s latest Neue Klasse-inspired styling language, which emphasizes cleaner surfaces and more integrated body lines.

The redesigned rear of the 2027 BMW X5 features a conventional liftgate for improved cargo access.

Not every BMW X5 owner agrees with the change

Although BMW says the decision reflects customer feedback, many longtime owners have reacted differently.

The BMW X5 split tailgate has developed a loyal following over the years because it served as a convenient bench, loading platform and protective surface when transporting luggage, sports equipment or outdoor gear. Following the reveal of the new X5, many enthusiasts expressed disappointment that one of the SUV’s most recognizable features has disappeared.

The split tailgate had become one of the last remaining examples of this design in the luxury SUV segment after several competitors abandoned similar systems years ago.

Many BMW enthusiasts consider the split tailgate one of the X5’s most iconic features.

The 2027 BMW X5 enters a new generation

While the disappearance of the BMW X5 split tailgate has generated plenty of discussion, it represents only one part of a much larger transformation.

The fifth-generation X5 introduces new gasoline, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains, adopts BMW’s latest design language and features a completely redesigned interior with updated technology. Even so, for many longtime BMW fans, the removal of the split tailgate may prove to be one of the most talked-about changes when the 2027 BMW X5 arrives in dealerships later this year.

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Slate Electric Truck Launches at $26,400 With 205-Mile Range

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Slate has confirmed pricing, improved driving range and new details for its affordable electric pickup ahead of deliveries.

Slate has officially confirmed pricing and new specifications for its highly anticipated electric pickup. Starting at just $26,400 including destination, the Slate electric truck will become one of the most affordable new EVs in the United States when deliveries begin later this year.

The startup also revealed improvements in driving range, payload capacity and charging performance ahead of production.

The Slate electric truck starts at $26,400, making it one of the most affordable EV pickups in the U.S.

Affordable price with extensive customization

The entry-level Blank Slate pickup starts at $26,400, including a $1,450 destination fee.

Customers can also choose two SUV variants:

  • Blank Slate Pickup: $26,400
  • Squareback SUV: $31,400
  • Fastback SUV: $33,400

Slate will sell vehicles directly to customers, with every truck leaving the factory in the same gray finish before receiving one of 100 available vinyl wraps. Around 40 wrap colors cost just $499, while nearly all accessories can be installed later by owners.

Buyers can personalize the Slate with dozens of wraps and accessories after purchase.

More range and better utility

One of the biggest improvements is the adoption of a new 63-kWh LFP battery, increasing estimated driving range from 150 miles to 205 miles.

The rear-wheel-drive electric motor produces 181 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, allowing the truck to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds before reaching a top speed of 90 mph.

Charging is handled through a Tesla-compatible NACS connector, supporting DC fast charging up to 120 kW and an 11-kW onboard AC charger capable of fully recharging the battery in about four hours with Level 2 equipment.

Payload capacity has also increased to 1,550 pounds, while towing capacity now reaches 2,000 pounds. Thanks to its electric architecture, the truck also offers a 7-cubic-foot front trunk in addition to its five-foot cargo bed.

The Slate electric truck now offers up to 205 miles of range with its new LFP battery.

Slate says it has already received approximately 180,000 reservations and expects to begin customer deliveries during the fourth quarter of 2026. The company aims to ramp production to 150,000 vehicles annually by late next year, positioning the Slate as one of the most affordable and customizable electric pickups available in the U.S. market.

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Slate Electric Truck Can Cost Nearly $48,000 Fully Loaded

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The affordable Slate electric truck starts at $26,400, but adding accessories can nearly double its final price.

The Slate electric truck has attracted attention with its low starting price, but buyers who customize it heavily could end up paying almost twice as much. After revealing its $1,450 destination fee, the startup’s online configurator shows how quickly the cost can climb with optional accessories.

While the base pickup remains one of the most affordable EVs on the market, personalization comes at a premium.

The Slate electric truck starts at $26,400 before adding optional accessories.

Three body styles and hundreds of customization options

Slate offers the truck in three different configurations:

  • Blank Slate Pickup: $26,400
  • Squareback SUV: $31,400
  • Fastback SUV: $33,400

Customers can personalize nearly every aspect of the vehicle, including custom vinyl wraps, decals, auxiliary lighting, roof racks, grille designs, wider fender flares and 20-inch wheels.

A custom exterior wrap alone adds $1,599.99, while premium wheels increase the price by another $1,399.99.

Buyers can choose from dozens of exterior accessories and custom appearance packages.

Interior upgrades quickly increase the price

The cabin follows the same philosophy, allowing buyers to add features that are absent from the standard truck.

Optional equipment includes a center console, upgraded speakers, storage systems, floor mats, colored interior trim and a dashboard-mounted tablet that serves as the infotainment display.

After selecting nearly every available option on the Fastback SUV, the total reached $47,744.39, and that figure could climb even higher since some accessories still don’t have official pricing.

A fully equipped Slate Fastback SUV can approach $48,000 with optional upgrades.

The Slate electric truck remains one of the most affordable new EVs in the United States, but its highly customizable approach means buyers can easily transform a budget-friendly pickup into a much more expensive vehicle. For customers looking to maximize value, choosing accessories carefully will be key to keeping the final price under control.

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Ford Faces Lawsuit Over $1.3 Billion Tariff Refund

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A Ford Mustang Mach-E owner claims the automaker should return tariff-related price increases after receiving a federal refund.

Ford is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit after a California customer argued that the automaker should return tariff-related price increases to buyers. The lawsuit comes after the federal government agreed to refund import duties previously collected under tariffs that were later ruled unlawful.

The case centers on the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which is manufactured in Mexico and was affected by higher import costs.

A Ford Mustang Mach-E owner is seeking a refund through a proposed class-action lawsuit.

Customer says Ford should share tariff refund

The lawsuit was filed on July 9 by California resident Jason Bullock, who claims Ford increased prices and destination charges to offset import tariffs on Mexican-built vehicles.

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs exceeded presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the federal government agreed to refund affected import duties.

Ford has previously estimated it could recover approximately $1.3 billion through those refunds.

The lawsuit argues Ford should return tariff-related costs to affected customers.

The legal battle could affect other major companies

According to the complaint, Ford would receive an unfair financial benefit if it keeps both the government refund and the higher prices previously paid by customers.

The lawsuit argues that buyers who absorbed those additional costs deserve compensation now that the tariffs are being refunded.

Ford is not the only company facing this type of legal challenge. Similar lawsuits have also been filed against Nike, Amazon and Costco, meaning the first case to reach a final ruling could establish an important legal precedent for future consumer claims.

The outcome of the Ford lawsuit could influence similar cases against other major U.S. companies.

Although the case is still in its early stages, it raises important questions about how companies should handle government tariff refunds when previous import costs were passed directly to consumers. The outcome could have broader implications for both automakers and retailers operating in the U.S. market.

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