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The eighth generation of BMW 5 Series launched in 2023, and for the first time an all-electric model arrived with it. Called the BMW i5, it’s probably one of the most significant cars that BMW makes - the electric version of one of the brand’s most respected and iconic model lines.
Like 5 Series have always been, the i5 is an impressive all-rounder, with strong performance, a luxurious cabin, and even a hint of the dynamism that has always attracted buyers to the 5 Series. As the i5 is still relatively new, used prices haven’t fallen too far just yet, but there are already savings to be found compared to brand new models.
The closest rival for the BMW i5 is the Mercedes-Benz EQE saloon, though the slightly older but still desirable Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan are great options too, with sleeker styling and a more involving driving experience. The Tesla Model S is a compelling alternative, though more recent models are left-hand drive only.
If you’re a habitual 5 Series buyer and looking to make the leap into electric vehicles, then the BMW i5 is probably going to be the car to tempt you over. With the latest generation of 5 Series the model is probably closer to the luxurious 7 Series than ever, and smooth electric power feels like the ideal fit as a result.
BMW buyers will certainly feel some of the brand’s traditional qualities in the i5. Being electric means there’s a lot of weight to manage, but the i5’s handling is impressive, well balanced, and respectably agile. It’s only really let down by a lack of steering feedback, and by large wheels occasionally thumping over poor road surfaces.
The modern cabin design takes a leaf from the 7 Series and i7’s book. It feels less sporty than some 5 Series of old, but it’s hard to fault the quality and it’s incredibly comfortable - the driving position is spot on and the seats are about the best you’ll find in a car. There’s space for adults in the back seats too, and a boot that out-does most rivals aside from the enormous Tesla Model S.
The i5 is so new that its long-term reliability is an unknown factor, but it’s got a full five-star safety rating from EuroNCAP. Charging speeds of up to 205kW add utility to a claimed 354-mile range in the eDrive 40 too, though real-world range will naturally be a little lower.
The i5 cuts a more traditional form than the bar-of-soap shape of its closest rival, the Mercedes EQE saloon, though the Merc might have more wow-factor as a result. Other options include the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan, each of which is sportier than the i5 but not as practical. Perhaps the strongest all-rounder in this class is the Tesla Model S, though since Tesla no longer sells it in right-hand drive, it’s likely that fewer will find their way onto the used market in future.
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There’s something quite addictive about the performance of the M60 xDrive, but to achieve that you’re not only paying a big chunk more but also sacrificing some range. So we’d suggest searching for an eDrive 40 instead, which already feels pretty lively, and is nearly as well equipped (certainly in M Sport Pro trim), but is considerably cheaper.
The i5 comes in three trim levels, with two offered on the eDrive 40 and a single dedicated trim level for the i5 M60. The specification is more what you’d expect from a 7 Series, and generally a little higher than that of the petrol and diesel-powered 5 Series models.
The BMW i5’s dimensions are:
The BMW i5’s boot size is:
Being a fully electric car, taxing the BMW i5 is completely free until 2025. Even when a charge is introduced, it’s likely to be more affordable to tax each year than the combustion-powered 5 Series.
In eDrive 40 M Sport form, the BMW i5 starts off in insurance group 43, which rises to group 49 for an M60 xDrive. Insurance costs are likely to be relatively high in the greater scheme of things then, but possibly a bit lower than several rivals, most of which comfortably occupy the maximum group 50.
Read our full BMW i5 review