2025 BMW i5

Overview

BMW has been selling a 5-series luxury sedan for decades, but this latest generation is the first to spawn an all-electric variant called i5. The 2025 i5 offers much the same driving experience as its gasoline-powered sibling, meaning it's a comfortable and cossetting car with a taste of BMW's trademark athleticism—minus the sound of a gas engine, of course. While it's not quite an electric M5 super sedan, the dual-motor M60 xDrive model is close with 593 horsepower and a 60-mph time of just 3.3 seconds. The i5's other trims—the 335-hp eDrive40 and the 389-hp xDrive40—aren't as quick, but offer more range, with the rear-drive eDrive40 model topping the lineup with 295 miles per charge. Technology takes over the front seat in the i5, with a sweeping digital dashboard that glows brightly with reconfigurable gauges and BMW's iDrive 8.5 infotainment interface. The growing number of EV luxury sedans in the i5's competitive set includes the posh Genesis Electrified G80, the tech-heavy Mercedes-Benz EQE, and the performance-oriented Porsche Taycan. Like its rivals, the i5 offers an eco-friendliness blended with plenty of luxury. All that's missing is a trim with enough performance to rival the gas-powered M5. As one of our favorites in its segment, the BMW i5 has earned a spot on our Editors’ Choice list for 2025.

What's New for 2025?

The i5 was new just last year, but BMW is already adding a third model to the mix in the form of the xDrive40. This all-wheel-drive model features two electric motors for a combined 389 horsepower and a claimed 60 mph time of 5.2 seconds. The driving range hasn't been announced for this new model yet, but we expect to see it come in a little bit below the rear-wheel drive eDrive40's 295-mile estimate.

C/D Expert Tip:

If this year's model has no changes, this is your cue to save by looking at cars from previous model years. You can almost always get the features you want for less money by purchasing a one-to-three-year-old model.

C/D Rating:8.5/10

2024 BMW i5

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

If you're looking to maximize range, the eDrive40 will be able to sail on for a bit longer than the performance-oriented M60 trim. We're driving enthusiasts, though, and we'd gladly trade a bit of range for extra horsepower and cornering grip.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

Three i5 models are offered, starting with the 335-hp eDrive40, which drives the rear wheels via a single electric motor. The xDrive40 adds a second electric motor on the front axle and provides 389 horsepower and all-wheel drive. A hotter M60 xDrive model, also with dual motors, adds a considerable amount of power—a whopping 593 hp in total— and also includes active anti-roll bars, a sporty suspension tune, wider tires, and rear-wheel steering to give the car a more athletic feel. We tested the eDrive40 and appreciated its refined ride and smooth powertrain, and it feels just like a gas-powered 5-series only with less engine noise and the same solid chassis. We haven't yet drive the xDrive40 model. Our test of the i5 M60 revealed a surprisingly wieldy sports sedan in the corners despite its heft, and its muscular dual-motor powertrain provides plenty of thrills in the acceleration department.

0–60-MPH Times

In our testing, the i5 M60 rocketed to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, and we found the car's optional launch-control function to be particularly fun. The less powerful eDrive40 gets to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and the xDrive40 will likely cut a few tenths off that number.

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Range, Charging, and Battery Life

An 84.3-kWh battery pack lies beneath the i5's floorboards, which BMW says holds enough charge to power the eDrive40 model for 295 miles between charges. The xDrive40 doesn't yet have an EPA rating. The dual-motor M60 model is less efficient and carries an estimated range of 256 miles per charge. The car's battery pack can be hooked up to DC fast-charging stations and is said to be capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes on such a connection. Speaking of charging, BMW will include three years of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America charging stations with every new i5.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

According to the EPA, the most efficient i5 model is the eDrive40, which is rated as high as 105 MPGe highway. On the other end of the spectrum is the M60 xDrive, which is rated for only 86 MPGe highway. When we get a chance, we'll take the i5 on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route and update this story with test results. For more information about the 5-series' fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The i5's cabin is just as spacious and posh as that of the gasoline-powered 5-series. The battery doesn't intrude on cabin space, but trunk space is slightly less generous here than in the 5-series. Leather upholstery is still available, but BMW also offers a faux-leather upholstery called Veganza in the i5; a set of glass interior controls is also available and adds a classy touch to the sedan's cabin. Heated and ventilated front seats with massage are optional on the eDrive40 and standard on the M60 xDrive.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The i5's dashboard is dominated by a large, curved panel that incorporates a 12.3-inch digital gauge display as well as a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. BMW's latest iDrive 8.5 interface is easy to use and can be updated via over-the-air updates should the need arise for that. A head-up display is optional, but all models come with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-dash navigation, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a Harman/Kardon stereo system, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The i5 offers the expected driver-assistance features as standard, including automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, but more advanced features—including BMW's Highway Assistant hands-free driving mode—are optional. For more information about the i5's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The i5 comes standard with the same warranty coverage as BMW's other electrified models, which means basic coverage for four years or 50,000 miles and more generous protection for the electric vehicle components. All new BMWs also come with a three-year complimentary maintenance plan.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• EV components warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $85,095/$94,245

POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: current-excited synchronous, 257 hp, 269 lb-ft
Rear Motor: current-excited synchronous, 335 hp, 317 lb-ft
Combined Power: 593 hp
Combined Torque: 605 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 81.2 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 205 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.7-in vented disc/14.6-in vented disc
Tires: Continental EcoContact 6Q
F: 255/35R-21 101Y Extra Load ★
R: 285/30R-21 103Y Extra Load ★

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.9 in
Length: 199.2 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 59.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/45 ft³
Trunk Volume: 17 ft³
Curb Weight: 5225 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.3 sec
100 mph: 7.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.5 sec @ 124 mph
130 mph: 12.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.4 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 142 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 158 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 317 ft

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 75 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving: 88 MPGe
75-mph Highway Range: 230 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 85/85/86 MPGe
Range: 240 mi

2024 BMW i5 eDrive40
Vehicle Type: rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $67,795/$78,995

POWERTRAIN
Motor: current-excited synchronous AC
Power: 335 hp
Torque: 317 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 84.3 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 205 kW
Transmission: direct-drive

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.7-in vented disc/14.6-in vented disc
Tires: Continental EcoContact 6Q
F: HL255/35R-21 101Y ★ ContiSilent
R: HL285/30R-21 103Y ★ ContiSilent

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.9 in
Length: 199.2 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 59.6 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/45 ft³
Trunk Volume: 17 ft³
Curb Weight: 4880 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.1 sec
100 mph: 12.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.7 sec @ 105 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.2 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.2 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 111 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 158 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 323 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING
Observed: 73 MPGe

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 96/97/94 MPGe
Range: 270 mi

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

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