2024 BMW i5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

In many ways, the 2024 BMW i5 could pass for an internal combustion vehicle, which makes sense, as it’s an electric version of the BMW 5-Series. The traditional grille and air inlets lack the smoothed-over plastic look that some other electric cars have adopted, though the i5 M60 xDrive variant’s grille has hints of that. Thankfully, the designers opted against the awkward vertical grilles found in the BMW iX and i4, as well as the oversized grille on the i7.

From the side, the i5 continues its traditional styling with a long hood and conventional midsize sedan proportions. Around back, the taillights adopt a more angular and beveled shape, but the overall look is still easily recognizable as a BMW.

The interior is also in line with BMW's current design direction, with a large horizontal dual-screen enclosure atop the dashboard. Many of the usual buttons and knobs have been eliminated in favor of integrating those controls into the infotainment touchscreen. As a result, the cockpit has a clean, minimal look, though the screens could be more gracefully blended into the dash.

The seat upholstery features beveled quilting that adds some visual interest while tying into the exterior's styling cues. The leather quality is comparable to other luxury vehicles, as are most of the other plastic interior elements. The piano black section of the center console feels just as sturdy as other cabin parts, but the glossy surface is a magnet for dust, fingerprints, and smudges. On the whole, the i5 feels solidly built and easily meets expectations for a luxury sedan.

The 2024 BMW i5 is available in two trim levels. We drove the entry-level eDrive40 which utilizes a single-electric-motor powertrain with rear-wheel drive (RWD). It's good for 335 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and should accelerate the i5 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Power is drawn from an 84.3-kWh battery pack in the floor and range varies between an EPA-estimated 270 and 295 miles, depending on which wheels you choose. It's worth noting that BMW's EVs have a reputation for easily exceeding their range estimates. We wouldn't be surprised if you could extract up to 320 miles from an eDrive 40 model.

The i5 xDrive40 adds a second motor to drive the front wheels, with a combined output of 389 hp and 435 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the added all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction, it should reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Range is estimated between 248 and 266 miles. The range-topping BMW i5 M60 xDrive is only offered in dual-motor AWD spec, producing an impressive 593 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque. That should be potent enough to get to 60 mph in only 3.7 seconds. Range drops to only 240 to 256 miles, though.

For the vast majority of drivers, the base i5 eDrive40 will easily satisfy. While it's not as blazingly quick as some other EVs, its immediate response and plentiful power right off the line make it feel just as potent. The brake pedal is on the soft side, but functions just as it should. You won't feel the transition between regeneration and when the physical brakes are actuated, allowing you to come to a smooth limo stop. One-pedal driving is possible, but the regeneration is lighter than you might expect. At least when getting acclimated to the i5, you may have to tap the brake pedal to come to a full stop.

Despite tipping the scales at over 5,100 pounds, the i5 handles a curvy road as well as its gas-powered 5-Series sibling. Having most of the weight low in the floor helps with stability and can indeed be considered fun to drive. Opting for AWD would most certainly improve traction but as it is, the rear-drive i5 is plenty athletic. The i5 M60 xDrive is a good choice for the rare driver who would want even more performance, with much more power and a sport-tuned adaptive suspension.

As expected, the i5 delivers a nearly silent driving experience, with only a hint of road noise on the highways. Ride quality is pleasantly smooth, isolating passengers from moderate ruts and bumps in the road, though the M60's stiffer suspension should noticeably firm things up. Whether you're more prone to comfortable touring or spirited cornering, the i5's broad range of skills has you covered.

With plenty of power adjustments and well-shaped surfaces, the front seats can comfortably accommodate a variety of body types. The front roof pillars are on the thick side and can impede your view through left turns, but otherwise, outward visibility is good. A rubberized wireless charging tray keeps larger phones from sliding around when cornering and pairs well with the wireless phone integration. Cupholders are average in size, as is the center console armrest bin and door pockets, leaving you with an adequate, but not generous, amount of personal item storage.

Adult-sized passengers will fit in the rear seats with no problem, as there's enough headroom and legroom. There's not much space for feet under the front seats, but that should only be an issue for taller occupants.

Behind the rear seats, the trunk has up to 17.3 cubic-feet of cargo space. It's a large and very usable space that should be able to swallow several large suitcases. That's a good thing since the i5 lacks a front trunk (frunk) that many other EVs benefit from.

DC fast charging capabilities are standard on all i5 models and can operate at rates as fast as 209 kW. It's estimated to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 30 minutes. As an added bonus, owners are eligible for three years of free 30-minute charge sessions through the Electrify America network. On a home charger, the i5 is able to charge at a rather quick 11 kW, which should fully charge the battery from empty in under 10 hours.

The i5's iDrive infotainment system deserves praise for its sharp graphics and quick responses, but it's handicapped by an overabundance of on-screen buttons that can be overwhelming. Many systems such as entertainment, navigation, and climate control can be operated with natural speech commands. For example, you can say, "Hey BMW, lower the temperature to 70 degrees," and the system will automatically adjust the temperature.

Unfortunately, for many secondary controls, voice commands are not available, forcing you to delve into the menus to try and find the correct setting. For something as simple as adjusting the adaptive cruise control following distance or regenerative braking, having to dig for them seems like a step backward. Small on-screen buttons further complicate use as you have to pay closer attention to the screen, making the system more distracting than it needs to be.

Many owners will likely prefer to use their phone as their primary infotainment hub and for them, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Also included is a wireless charging pad, so you won't need a cable. In our time with the i5, Apple CarPlay mostly operated without a hitch, though there were a few connection interruptions.

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have completed crash test evaluations on the 2024 BMW i5 yet, but we expect scores to be strong since it performed so well in European NCAP tests. For comparison, the gas-powered BMW 5 Series was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, the Institute's second-highest honor.

All i5 models come standard with frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package adds adaptive cruise control, a hands-free highway assistant, active lane-change assist, and lane-keep steering intervention. A head-up display and surround-view camera system are available as part of the Premium package.

In our experience with the i5, the adaptive cruise control maintained a consistent interval with leading vehicles and when traffic slowed to a stop, the BMW did so smoothly. Other driver assistance systems operated flawlessly without any false alarms or glitches.

Prices for the new BMW i5 eDrive40 single-motor model start at $67,795 (including $995 in destination fees). For only $3,300, you can add AWD with the xDrive40 and considering that rather reasonable premium, we'd spring for the upgrade to get more traction and power. For drivers in weather-prone regions, it's an even smarter addition. The top-of-the-line i5 M60 xDrive will set you back $85,095 and should be reserved for the rare driver that desires more performance than the standard i5s deliver.

BMWs typically match or exceed pricing set by rival luxury brands, but in the case of the i5, it actually can save you a healthy amount of cash over comparable electric vehicles. By comparison, the Mercedes-Benz EQE and Genesis Electrified G80 both start above $75,000 while the Tesla Model S rings in around $73,000. Real-world range is comparable between these models, but the BMW i5 gains an edge for its more lively driving dynamics. The Porsche Taycan is another alternative for shoppers seeking even more performance from a German luxury brand, but as you'd expect, it'll cost you. It starts above $90,000.

On the lower end, the smaller BMW i4 could also be considered. It costs several thousand less than the i5 and is just as thrilling to drive. The i5 further extends its advantage by offering three years of free 30-minute charges on the Electrify America Network while most rivals stop at two years.

All things considered, the 2024 BMW i5 delivers everything expected of a luxury electric sedan and goes further with performance without sacrificing comfort. While we're not thrilled with the infotainment system, it does little to sour an otherwise excellent driving experience.