2024 BMW i5 Expert Review
Reviewed by Billy Rehbock
BMW further expands its all-electric lineup with the 2024 i5 sedan. The i5 nameplate has been lurking, never fully coming into fruition, for almost a full decade. Now, BMW has a model above the i4 sedan and underneath the brand's i7 electric flagship.
As you'd expect from BMW, the automaker demonstrates its commitment to performance cars with an M60 xDrive version of the 2024 i5. Competitors include other luxurious EVs like the Mercedes EQE-Class, Lucid Air, and Audi E-Tron GT .
Wait, what about the non-electric 5 Series? Get the story on the 2024 BMW 5 Series here.
What's New
- All-new design and interior
- Range of electric drivetrains
- BMW Operating System 8.5
- BMW Curved Display
What We Think
The 2024 BMW i5 is a proper 5 Series, and a good one at that. The new 48-volt electrical system's active roll stabilization, alongside clever rear suspension, keeps the car flat and planted over imperfect pavement, and the addition of rear steering lends newfound agility in tight hairpins. We also like the addition of a Boost button that unlocks a smidge of additional performance for a short burst. That said, we thought the M60 performance model was somewhat one dimensional, with a doughy suspension not quite suited for the increase in power.
The braking system also stands out. Electric vehicles can struggle with masking the transition between regenerative and traditional friction braking, but the setup in the i5 is among the best we've ever felt. BMW's new driver assist suite is right up there with the best, too. You can even initiate an autonomous lane change by glancing at either side view mirror.
The i5's design is more elegant than some of BMW's more recent efforts, and the interior appears properly luxurious and high-tech. However, general ease of use suffers as hard buttons are eliminated and touchscreen tapping becomes ever-more necessary. Thankfully, the i5 drives as well as earlier 5 Series models, making these foibles easy to overlook.
Horsepower, Range, and Charging
The 2024 BMW i5 is offered in two variants at launch: a rear-motor i5 eDrive40 with 335 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, or an AWD dual-motor M60 xDrive putting out 590 hp and 586 lb-ft. For a little context, that's only 10-hp shy of the last-generation M5. Both versions feature a Sport Boost mode that temporarily increases torque—up to 317 lb-ft in the eDrive40 and 605 lb-ft in the M60. A dual-motor xDrive40 model is slated to arrive for 2025.
Every i5 model carries a battery pack with 84.3 kWh of usable capacity. Range is estimated at 295 miles for the eDrive40 and 256 miles for the M60 xDrive. That should be plenty for commuting, but some rivals offer quite a bit more range. The Tesla Model 3 can travel 325 miles on a single charge, and the more expensive Lucid Air can achieve north of 400-500 miles.
Charging for the i5 tops out at 11 kW on Level 2 AC plugs, and 205 kW on Level 3 DC fast chargers. According to BMW, that's good enough to recharge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. A 205 kW maximum charge rate is pretty good, but some competitors can take on electrons even faster.
Safety Features
A large array of safety features come standard on the 2024 BMW i5. These features include front collision mitigation with left-turn warning, rear cross-traffic warning with brake intervention, lane keep assist with active blind-spot detection, and a parking assistant.
The Driving Assistance Professional package unlocks hands-free driving at up to 85 mph. This includes active lane change with eye activation—yes, you read that right. The 5 Series can suggest a lane change, and the driver can confirm the action just by looking in the corresponding outside rearview mirror. Also included in the package are front cross-traffic warning and side collision protection.
Technology
The 2024 i5 makes use of the brand's Curved Display, which places a fully digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen under one pane of glass. This includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment display. Those displays run on the BMW Operating System 8.5.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is wireless device charging and a Harman Kardon sound system. A head-up display and gesture controls are available.
Drivers can play video games on the infotainment screen when the car is stationary through the AirConsole platform. Available video games will include sports, racing, quiz, and puzzle games.
Other features include heated seats front and rear and an "interaction bar," an ambient lighting feature with touch-sensitive control panels for ventilation and air conditioning. A new fixed panoramic glass roof has a larger viewing area that reveals almost the entire roof surface.
Pricing and Availability
Prices for the 2024 BMW i5 start at $67,795 for the eDrive40, and $86,095 for the M60 xDrive. No one could call those numbers cheap, but they actually seem like something of a value relative to some other all-electric luxury sedans. Consider that the Tesla Model S is more expensive even in its base configuration, and the Audi E-Tron GT starts well above six figures. Deliveries for the new i5 are slated to begin in the fall of 2023.
An i5 Wagon?! Sign Us Up.
BMW wagons have been forbidden fruit in the United States ever since the 3 Series wagon was discontinued after the 2019 model year. Internationally, the brand's commitment to long-roofed cars remains strong. BMW has signaled its intent to continue producing wagons by announcing that the 2024 i5 will also be offered as a station wagon in Europe. The implication is that electrification will not derail the brand's loyalty to its Touring line of products, as they are known abroad. We will remain jealous of our peers overseas until BMW brings a wagon back to our shores.
