2024 BMW i5 Review | PCMag

The BMW 5 Series has long set the standard for midsize sports sedans thanks to its impeccable balance of performance, style, and innovation, and the fully electric i5 hits those same high marks. It provides heaps of horsepower, state-of-the-art technology, and a sophisticated cabin for a competitive starting price of $66,800. Tesla’s Model S (starting at $72,990) has a better battery, but that’s not enough to prevent the more affordable and luxurious BMW i5 from earning our Editors’ Choice award for high-end EVs.

Price and Options: Three Trims With a Performance Tilt

The 2024 i5 is available in three trims: the eDrive40 (starting at $66,800), xDrive40 (starting at $70,100), and M60 (starting at $84,100). The entry-level eDrive40 has a single electric motor for rear-wheel drive (RWD), while the xDrive40 and M60 have dual motors for all-wheel drive (AWD). For reference, I tested the M60 variant. None of these models nor the Tesla Model S is eligible for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

The base eDrive40 comes with performance capabilities such as brake drying, brake-fade compensation, cornering brake control, a multi-link rear suspension, and variable electric power steering. Standard exterior highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels, aluminum trim, LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, and power-folding and heated side mirrors. You get interior amenities such as an anthracite headliner, dark oak trim, dark silver accents, front seats with four-way power lumbar support, perforated “vegan” upholstery, and a sunroof.

As for tech features, the vehicle has a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12-speaker/205W Harman Kardon audio system, a curved, 14.9-inch infotainment touch screen, Bluetooth pairing for two devices, cloud-based navigation with over-the-air mapping updates, the slick iDrive 8.5 infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and wireless smartphone charging. You also get standard driver assists such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera.

The xDrive40 is largely the same as the base model but it does add BMW Remote Services, heated front seats, and interior floormats. Upgrading to the M60 model I tested gets you a 17-speaker/655W Bowers & Wilkins audio system, an adaptive sport-tuned suspension, Alcantara upholstery, black exterior trim, M Sport brakes with blue calipers, an M Sport leather-wrapped steering wheel, and M Sport wheels.

My test vehicle also has almost $10,000 in other options, including the $2,000 Premium Package (automated parking, full LED exterior lighting, gesture recognition, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, and an interior camera) and the $2,000 Driving Assistant Pro Package (adaptive cruise control with full stop and go, BMW’s Highway Assistant that allows hands-free driving at speeds up to 85 miles per hour in certain scenarios, evasion assist, and lane-keeping assist with side-collision avoidance). With a $995 destination and handling charge, the final sticker price comes to $94,995. Just keep in mind that the exact breakdown of features and fees might differ depending on where you buy your vehicle.

Design: Subtle Exterior, Lavish Interior

My test vehicle’s muted Carbon Black Metallic paint finish makes it look like a bit of a sleeper; I even mistook it for an entirely different BMW model once in a parking lot during testing. A discreet rear spoiler, black weather stripping around the windows, and black-trimmed headlights add to the car’s low-key look, while a raised 5 insignia on the C pillar subtly but stylishly distinguishes it from other models. BMW’s trademark kidney grille doesn’t stand out as much as on other models, though its illumination makes a bold statement at night. In terms of size, the i5 is smaller all-around than the otherwise similarly minded i7 (starting at $105,700)

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

The interior is the opposite of the exterior; gloss black surfaces, gray and carbon-fiber trim, and sliver-mesh speaker grilles give it a lavish look. The optional interior ambient lighting adds elegant illumination after dark and offers various hues and effects. That said, the lights can be overwhelming since driver assist warnings make liberal use of them. Turning on the hazard lights also causes bright red flashes inside the cabin. The digital instrument panel can be a bit busy, too, though its features and the head-up display (HUD) are easy to operate via steering wheel switches.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

Performance: A Well-Deserved Reputation

As with most EVs I test, pricier trims provide extra levels of performance. The eDrive40 trim has 335 horsepower (hp) and 295lb-ft of torque, the xDrive40 produces 389hp and 435lb-ft of torque, and the M60 pumps out 593hp and 586lb-ft of torque. For comparison, the base AWD Tesla Model S beats out the M60 with 670hp of peak power, while the $87,990 Plaid edition gets you a ridiculous 1,020hp. The latter has a crazy 0-60mph time of 1.99 seconds, compared with 3.7 seconds for the M60. Those differences aren’t likely to be overly important for everyday driving; both the BMW and Tesla are seriously quick.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

In testing, the i5 easily lives up to the legacy of its gas-powered siblings. The M60 trim rockets from a stop instantaneously and smoothly, effortlessly climbing into triple digits on a back road straightaway I often use for judging acceleration. And if you hold the steering wheel’s Boost paddle for 0.8 seconds, the electric motors unleash up to 605lb-ft of torque and the chassis crouches to its sportiest setting for maximum acceleration. The i5 M60 even has a launch control for track-day drag races, if that’s of interest.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

Even though the Sport mode turns off the traction control, the car still handles like it’s on rails and in the hands of an experienced driver. Other modes, such as Personal and Efficient, dial back the performance for a more refined feel without ever taking away the vehicle’s sporty character entirely. The ride is quiet in every mode, too.

My only complaint is that the i5 relegates its brake regeneration settings (low, medium, high, or adaptive) to the iDrive menu. I much prefer paddle shifters for on-the-fly adjustments and found the adaptive setting a bit erratic.

Battery and Charging: Driving Range Isn’t Exceptional

All i5 models use an 84.3kWh battery. The eDrive40 has a maximum EPA-rated range of 295 miles and a combined MPGe of 105, while BMW says the xDrive40 can take you up to 266 miles per charge. The M60 I tested gets a top range of 256 miles and a combined MPGe of 91. For comparison, the base Tesla Model S has a much better range of 402 miles and a combined MPGe of around 120, while the Lucid Air Pure (starting at $69,990) gets 410 miles and an MPGe of 137. Whether the BMW’s lower range is an issue depends on how much you tend to drive in a given day or week.

The vehicle has a Combined Charging System (CCS) plug, but BMW will adopt the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) starting in 2025. Buyers receive two years of complimentary 30-minute sessions at Electrify America DC fast chargers. The i5 charges at a maximum of 11kW AC and 205kW DC. BMW’s official charging specs are in the below chart. I charged the i5 a few times at DC fast chargers during my review period and can confirm that the times are mostly accurate.

Infotainment: Advanced Options and a Useful Search Bar

One of the highlights of the interior is the 14.9-inch infotainment touch screen that’s slightly angled towards the driver. Like the BMW i4, i7, and iX, the i5 uses the intuitive iDrive 8 operating system. It provides a wide range of settings to customize the car’s many features, so I often turned to the search bar to find options. As with other BMW EVs, the touch screen works in tandem with a rotary controller in the center console, highly reliable voice controls, and somewhat kludgy gesture controls. One downside continues from the i7: The haptic controls surrounding the iDrive controller for changing the drive mode and activating the car’s cameras can be difficult to use without glancing down.

(Credit: Doug Newcomb)

One cutting-edge feature worth mentioning is AirConsole support for playing online video games. Players can control the action using their Android or iOS smartphone and can play together for a local multiplayer experience—so long as the car is parked. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay handle cloud-connected content such as music, messaging, and navigation. The latter worked flawlessly via Bluetooth with my iPhone. Otherwise, the Connected Package Pro allows you to remotely lock/unlock the doors, check the battery status, and even find on-street parking in certain cities.

Safety and Extras: Smooth, Automatic Control on Highways

I would prefer more standard safety features and driver assists on the i5, but many other luxury vehicles also charge extra for things you get for free on more affordable models.

Some of the upgrades are well worth the price. Although the Highway Assistant is part of an optional package that costs $2,000, for example, the hands-free driving experience it provides on highways is impressive. It made for a deft, confident ride even at night, in the rain, and on curvy, sketchy, and often white-knuckle sections of I-84 in the Columbia River Gorge that I often drive.

Verdict: The Upscale Electric Sedan to Beat

With its remarkable performance, low-key sophistication, and advanced tech, the BMW i5 carries the heritage of the 5 Series into the era of electrification. The Tesla Model S still reigns supreme in terms of driving range and outright power, but the BMW’s slightly lower price and more traditional sense of style give it an edge and help it earn our Editors’ Choice award for luxury sports sedans. No other EV in its class puts it all together quite as well.