2025 BMW i5 Test Drive Review: Good, But Is It The Best Mid-Size Electric Sedan?

If you’re out there for an opulent electrical sedan, it is onerous to disregard the 2025 BMW i5. Constructed on the identical platform because the gas-powered 5 Sequence, the i5 goals to seize every thing that is nice about BMW’s mid-size sedan, simply with out burning gas. BMW’s strategy to EVs so far has been fairly completely different from rival Mercedes-Benz. Slightly than create a ground-up structure from scratch, BMW needed the i5 to be recognizable as a 5 Sequence first, and an EV second. This philosophy results in some choices that we approve of, and others that result in compromise.

Now in its second mannequin yr for 2025, the i5 provides a brand new xDrive40 model with all-wheel-drive, slotting between the rear-wheel-drive e-Drive40 and the range-topping M60. BMW despatched us the least highly effective mannequin, the eDrive40, letting us expertise the essence of the i5 with out being overwhelmed by efficiency. In our week with the i5, we discovered it to be a reasonably compelling EV, however a wonderful 5 Sequence – however is it definitely worth the hefty premium over a 5 Sequence, and do you have to contemplate it over its key EV rivals?

Exterior: Mixing In

You’d higher just like the styling of the eighth-generation 5 Sequence as a result of the i5 does not veer off a lot from this design language. Keep in mind, regardless of the i5 current as a mannequin separate from the gas-powered one, it nonetheless belongs within the 5 Sequence household. The outside design stands out from different current BMW fashions – in a great way. There is no big kidney grille and no break up headlights, so the web commentators needs to be kinder in direction of it. Apart from a bit of “i” within the grille, it is tough to identify an i5 from its 5 Sequence sibling.

19-inch wheels come normal on the i5, however you’ll be able to improve to 20- or 21-inch wheels for $800 or $1,800, respectively. The 21-inch wheels on our tester look nice, although we’d advise towards ordering them as a result of they drop the vary by 24 miles. BMW’s coloration palette for the i5 is generally conservative, however there are some extra thrilling hues, like our tester’s Tanzanite Blue II Metallic ($1,950), Cape York Inexperienced Metallic ($650), and Vegas Purple Metallic ($650). Patrons can even go for two matte colours – Frozen Pure Gray Metallic and Frozen Deep Gray – for a whopping $3,600. We extremely advocate the M Sport exterior package deal ($3,000), which makes the i5 look extra aggressive with Shadowline trim, bi-color wheels, blue M Sport brakes, and several other inside upgrades.

Inside: Child i7

Very similar to the outside, there may be nothing particular to tell apart the i5’s inside from an ordinary 5 Sequence. We respect this strategy, as many EVs implement funky design language for the sake of it, fairly than to serve a objective. BMW’s Curved Show bundles a 12.3-inch gauge cluster with a 14.9-inch touchscreen that can be managed by voice, a rotating knob, or obtainable gesture controls, and it seems good right here. iDrive 8.5 is pretty straightforward to make use of, however we miss having a separate display screen and buttons for the local weather controls. The BMW Interplay Bar (a light-weight up bar on the sprint and doorways) migrates downmarket from the i7, and makes the i5’s cabin look gorgeous at night time.

A brand new vegan seating materials known as Veganza replaces SensaTec, and feels adequate to be mistaken for the actual stuff. Prolonged Merino Leather-based ($2,450) remains to be obtainable for individuals who will not be fooled by the animal-friendly substitute. Ventilated entrance seats can be found as a standalone choice ($500) or as a part of a Luxurious Seating Bundle ($1,350) with massaging seats. Patrons who want to take their i5 extra upmarket ought to go for the Government Bundle ($3,750), which provides glass controls, a Sky Lounge panoramic roof, gesture controls, Parking Assistant Plus, a heated steering wheel, inside digicam, head-up show, energy rear and aspect sunshades, and adaptive cruise management. These options may be added a la carte, and go an extended option to making the inside really feel much more opulent than the usual automobile is.

Practicality: Proper Dimension

The eighth-generation 5 Sequence grows in comparison with the outgoing mannequin, and that’s true of the i5 as nicely. It stretches 119.2 inches lengthy, which is 3.4 inches greater than the outgoing 5 Sequence. The wheelbase grows barely by 0.8 inches, the width is elevated by 1.3 inches, and the roof is taller by 1.4 inches. These giant proportions ship a spacious inside with a great deal of legroom within the entrance and within the again. Headroom is ample, too, with even taller passengers sitting comfortably.

As for trunk area, the i5 boasts a spacious 17.3 cubic ft, which is greater than is obtainable by rivals from Genesis and Mercedes-Benz. There isn’t any entrance trunk on any i5 variant, however the trunk does include deep under-floor storage that may simply match a charging cable.

Efficiency: Modest To M

BMW now presents three i5 configurations: eDrive40, xDrive40, and M60. The eDrive40 delivers what could be thought-about “six-cylinder” efficiency for BMW with 335 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque from a single rear motor. Stepping as much as the xDrive40 provides a second motor on the entrance, combining to ship 389 hp and 435 lb-ft, dropping the 0-60 time and growing the highest pace. The M60 delivers efficiency that is not far off the gas-powered M5 with a dual-motor setup cranking out 539 hp and 549 lb-ft of torque (605 lb-ft with Increase Mode). This near-M mannequin can hit 60 mph in simply 3.7 seconds on its option to a 143 mph prime pace.

Each i5 variant makes use of the identical 84.3 kWh battery pack, which might recharge at as much as 205 kW (10-80% battery takes round half-hour). On a house charger, it might probably juice at speeds as much as 11 kW. Because of the platform sharing with the 5 Sequence and a variety of different elements, the driving vary is much from essentially the most spectacular in its class. The eDrive40 can go as much as 295 miles on a cost, however the 21-inch wheels can scale back it right down to as few as 270 miles. Choosing xDrive drops the vary considerably to 266 miles (248 with the bigger wheels). The M60’s efficiency comes with the most important vary trade-off, dropping to 256 miles (239 with the bigger wheels).

The Mercedes-Benz EQE Sedan goes marginally additional on a cost – however solely in its 288-hp base mannequin, whereas the EQE 500 sacrifices vary for 402 hp. The BMW has the Genesis Electrified G80 beat on vary, because it’s acquired much less energy. If you need the very best vary and efficiency in a mid-size electrical sedan, the Lucid Air and Tesla Mannequin S are nonetheless miles forward, actually and figuratively.

Driving Impressions: A Smoother 5

Eradicating the gasoline engine from the 5 Sequence takes what was already an opulent automobile and improves it even additional. Regardless of solely having one motor, the i5 eDrive40 delivers peppy efficiency that may scoot forward of slower transferring visitors. A slight wiggle from the rear may be felt at full throttle utilizing the Increase paddle on the steering wheel, which offers an additional shot of energy for as much as 10 seconds. Patrons who crave a bit of extra efficiency ought to go for the xDrive40, however we predict the typical purchaser who does not require the extra pushed wheels for chilly climate will likely be nice with the eDrive40. Irrespective of which i5 you drive, it feels faster than the typical 5 Sequence in observe as a result of the acceleration is speedy and does not require a turbo to spool or a transmission to shift gears.

We occur to like rear-drive EVs just like the eDrive40 as a result of they have a tendency to ship playful dealing with with much less weight and complexity. The i5 is not any exception, with a cushty journey and keen efficiency that feels befitting of a 5 Sequence. Because of the low middle of gravity supplied by the battery, you’ll be able to toss the i5 into corners with little physique roll and burst out with prompt electrical torque. Choosing the i5 M60 provides Adaptive M Suspension Skilled with lively roll stabilization – a characteristic that is not obtainable on the lesser 40 fashions. Whereas this suspension sounds nice in observe, we do not know if the typical EV driver will want the added dealing with advantages.

Pricing & Verdict: The 5 To Lease

Because of the present limitation of the EV tax credit score in the USA, it makes extra sense to lease as an alternative of buying. That is the case for the i5, which begins at $67,100 (plus $995 vacation spot) for the bottom eDrive40 mannequin. For reference, a four-cylinder 530i begins at $58,200 and delivers comparable efficiency regardless of having much less energy. That $8,900 distinction is substantial in a automobile cost, however leasing an i5 would qualify it for the $7,500 tax credit score, which might make the i5 extra similar to a 530i.

The i5 xDrive40 begins at $70,100, which is a small worth to pay for such an enormous enhance in efficiency. A six-cylinder 540i begins at $65,200 and delivers much less energy. As for the i5 M60, it is expensive, beginning at $84,100 – however that is considerably lower than the M5, which prices $119,500 and will get to 60 mph simply three-tenths of a second faster.

Our cash would go in direction of the eDrive40 with a number of choices, because it delivers sufficient efficiency and luxurious to fulfill most consumers. Nevertheless, if you’re open to lesser identified manufacturers, the Lucid Air Pure delivers over 400 hp and over 400 miles of vary at an identical worth, and the Tesla Mannequin S delivers efficiency that can crush even the i5 M60. For a present BMW proprietor seeking to purchase essentially the most luxurious 5 Sequence, the i5 is a stellar selection; it is simply not the very best EV in its class.