BMW i5

BMW i5 at a glance

Why BMW built the i5 inside the 5 Series

BMW gave its electric executive car no separate body. The i5 shares the G60 shell, cabin and electronics with the combustion 5 Series and was the version BMW used to reveal the new generation on 24 May 2023. Saloon production in Dingolfing began on 21 July 2023 and the i5 followed four days later; the same plant also makes its electric motors and high-voltage batteries. BMW describes it as the first 5 Series with fully electric drive, and the wider story of the range is told in the guide to every BMW 5 Series generation.

Against the G30 predecessor, the new saloon is 97 mm longer, 33 mm wider and 36 mm taller, and its wheelbase grew by 20 mm to 2,995 mm. Because the battery lies under the floor, the i5 saloon has a 490-litre boot, 30 litres less than the 520 litres of the petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid saloons. In BMW's electric line-up the i5 sits above the smaller BMW i4 Gran Coupé, which uses the same eDrive40 naming.

i5 versions: eDrive40, xDrive40 and M60 xDrive

The peak torque figures apply with Sport Boost or Launch Control engaged, according to BMW. The xDrive40 joined the saloon range in March 2024 and the Touring range in November 2024, according to ADAC model dates. The M60 xDrive is the only i5 developed by BMW M, and its top speed is electronically limited to 230 km/h (143 mph). For the US market the EPA rates the eDrive40 at 300 miles (483 km) and the M60 at 256 miles (412 km).

Range, charging and the March 2025 update

All i5 versions use one 400-volt lithium-ion pack with 83.9 kWh gross and 81.2 kWh usable capacity. DC charging peaks at 205 kW, and BMW quotes about 30 minutes from 10 to 80 percent. AC charging runs at 11 kW as standard, and ADAC listed the optional 22 kW charger at EUR 1,200 for the 2023 eDrive40.

In the ADAC test published in January 2025, the eDrive40 reached a 208.4 kW charging peak and averaged 135.7 kW. Its Ecotest consumption was 19.1 kWh/100 km including charging losses, which gave a real range of about 500 km (311 miles). A Max Range mode can extend range by up to 25 percent by capping power and speed and switching off comfort functions.

From March 2025 BMW fitted silicon carbide semiconductors in the power electronics, lower-friction wheel bearings and low-rolling-resistance tyres on more aerodynamic wheels. The maker said this adds up to 47 km of WLTP range and cuts consumption by up to 8 percent for the eDrive40 and 9 percent for the xDrive40 Touring. ADAC now lists 627 km for the eDrive40 saloon, 45 km more than the top launch figure.

Saloon or Touring: space, weight and towing

The i5 saloon measures 5,060 mm (199.2 in) long, 1,900 mm (74.8 in) wide and 1,515 mm (59.6 in) tall. ADAC gives an EU kerb weight of 2,195 kg (4,839 lb) for the eDrive40 and 2,345 kg (5,170 lb) for the xDrive40. Its testers praised rear legroom from the long wheelbase, but found headroom tight for passengers over about 1.90 m and criticised the wide centre tunnel.

The Touring has the same length and a 570-litre (20.1 cu ft) boot that grows to 1,700 litres (60.0 cu ft) with the rear seats folded. Saloon and Touring may both tow 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) braked and 750 kg unbraked. The Touring eDrive40 weighs 2,255 kg and needs 6.1 seconds to 100 km/h, 0.1 seconds more than the saloon.

Safety ratings and driver assistance

Euro NCAP awarded the G60 5 Series five stars in 2023. In the i5 eDrive40 test it scored 89 percent for adult occupants, 85 percent for children, 86 percent for vulnerable road users and 78 percent for safety assist. The 5 Series also earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award in the US, and KNCAP named the i5 its Safest Car of the Year in South Korea, as BMW reported in January 2024.

The optional Highway Assistant allows hands-off driving at up to 130 km/h (81 mph) on motorways with separated carriageways. Its Active Lane Change function lets the driver confirm a suggested lane change by looking at the door mirror, a feature BMW called a world first. ADAC pointed out in January 2025 that the motorway assistant cost EUR 850 but required two further packages priced at EUR 2,000 and EUR 2,100.

i5 prices in Germany and the main electric rival

Auto Zeitung put the cheapest combustion 5 Series at EUR 60,000 in January 2026, so the electric saloon cost EUR 10,900 more at entry level. The closest rival with its own guide is the Audi A6 e-tron, revealed in July 2024 on the 800-volt PPE platform. It offers a 94.4 kWh usable battery, up to 270 kW DC charging and up to 750 km WLTP, so it charges faster and travels further on paper. The i5 keeps a 400-volt system, and its strongest argument is the choice of saloon or Touring with the same cabin and running gear as the combustion 5 Series.

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