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Pros: Performance, refinement, luxury interior.
Cons: Heavy, expensive.
BMW i5 Design
Presence is important when you’re a top executive and the new i5 has it – it’s longer, wider and taller than the previous generation 5 Series. The kidney grille is quite conservatively sized too for a new BMW and black contrasting side sills go some way to disguise the 5’s extra bulk. Other neat features include flush door handles for the first time and an embossed 5 in the Hofmeister kink at the C-pillar. The i5 is available in three flavours - M Sport, M Sport Pro and M Performance (M60 xDrive) – so it benefits from a few extra sporty trim elements around the bumpers and lowered M suspension. Alloy wheel sizes vary from 19- to 21-inch depending on model. It looks good even on the standard 19s.
BMW i5 Interior
The new cabin is stylish and grown-up with some strong i7/7 Series vibes, including the flagship’s ‘BMW Interaction Bar’ that changes colour depending on drive mode and can flash visual warnings to the driver. The fit and finish is excellent, with ‘Veganza’ synthetic leather seat upholstery now standard. The front seats are heated with power adjustment and lumbar support. The new BMW Curved Display also features for the first time in the 5 Series and brings together two crisp, high-definition screens – one behind the steering wheel for driver information and one for the infotainment. The brilliant iDrive system uses the latest BMW Operating System 8.5 with touch control, voice control, gesture control and the classic iDrive controller on the centre console. There’s also wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and smartphone charging. New features include an in-car gaming app to while away the time when charging. The navigation system will also help you plan charging stops and automatically pre-condition the battery before a planned stop.
The new 5 Series/i5 has a longer wheelbase than before so there’s a bit more space and comfort in the back. It wasn't built as a ground-up EV so the i5 still has quite a prominent transmission tunnel in the rear, which would make it less comfortable for a middle seat passenger - but generally it’s a lovely place to be. The i5’s boot is 490 litres, which is just 30 litres less than fuel versions. As saloon boots go, it’s got a nice wide opening and low sill. The i5 Touring offers a bit more space and practicality should you need it.
BMW i5 Performance & Drive
The i5 is available as the single motor, rear wheel drive eDrive40 or a dual motor, all-wheel drive M60 xDrive with M performance upgrades and rear wheel steering. However, the i5 eDrive40 offers enough scintillating performance for most with 340hp and 430Nm of torque sent to the rear wheels. It can do the 0-100 km/h sprint in a nifty 6 seconds. There’s 10 seconds of boost possible from a paddle behind the steering wheel. A bit of a gimmick but it does add some drama and excitement to the background of an artificial electric engine soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer. The i5 is surprisingly agile and easy to manoeuvre for a big car. But it is heavy – about 400kg more than the 520i - and in fast cornering on a back road, you can certainly feel that. It’s not quite as playful as the i4 but it still has enough dynamic brilliance and tactile steering to call itself a BMW. The standard lowered, stiffer M Sport suspension makes the ride bumpier over imperfections in the road surface but on the motorway, it’s barely noticeable and it’s a fantastic car for cruising in. Adaptive dampers are available as an option.
Average consumption wavered between 19-23kWh per 100 kilometres during our test drive in a particularly cold January, which translates to a real world range between 370-430 kilometres from the i5’s 81.2kWh battery (usable capacity). The official figure is 477-582km (WLTP). A heat pump comes as standard and regenerative braking is possible, though you have to dive into the iDrive system to adjust the strength of it. DC fast charging is possible up to 205kW for a 10 to 80% charge in 30 minutes. An 11kW AC charger comes as standard with the option to upgrade to 22kW.
BMW i5 Pricing
Pricing starts from €90,110 for the i5 eDrive40 and from €119,210 for the i5 M60 xDrive.
Carzone Verdict
The i5 is not cheap and moves BMW’s iconic luxury saloon into another arena on price. Yet it delivers entirely on its premium promise, with delightful power and performance as well as a suitably plush and technology-focused cabin. Dynamically it's outshined by the i4 but it still handles with more style than many of its peers. The i5's classic styling and cabin stick with convention and it’s all the better for it, making it one of the best luxury electric cars on sale and a great companion for the road.