BMW i5 2024 review
Photo: Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The BMW i5 is the first fully electric 5 Series, and it arrived in Britain in 2023 as the flagship of the eighth-generation G60 range. Where rivals like the Mercedes EQE were designed as standalone EVs, BMW took the opposite approach: the i5 looks, feels and drives like a proper 5 Series, just with a battery under the floor. For UK buyers loyal to the executive saloon formula, that decision was a masterstroke.
Two versions reached UK showrooms. The eDrive40 pairs a single 250 kW rear-mounted motor with a 340 hp output and a claimed range of up to 362 miles, while the M60 xDrive adds a front motor for a combined 601 hp and a 3.8-second 0-62 mph time. Both share an 81.2 kWh usable battery and 205 kW DC rapid-charging capability, meaning a 10 to 80 per cent top-up takes around 30 minutes on a fast public charger.
Inside, the i5 borrows the curved digital display and much of the switchgear from the i7, with generous rear legroom and a 490-litre boot. Trims ran from Sport Edition through M Sport to M Sport Pro, plus the M60 flagship, with typical BMW options such as the Comfort Pack and upgraded onboard charging available.
For UK company-car drivers, the i5 was a no-brainer: zero tailpipe emissions, a 2 per cent benefit-in-kind rating at launch, and the motorway refinement a Munich-to-Manchester run demands. The M60, meanwhile, offered near-M5 straight-line pace without the V8 fuel bills. It remains one of the most convincing electric executive saloons on the used market.
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UK price from: £71,105
Specifications
| Battery | 81.2 kWh usable (83.9 kWh total), lithium-ion |
| Power | 340 hp (eDrive40) / 601 hp (M60 xDrive) |
| Torque | 400 Nm - 430 Nm with Boost (eDrive40) / 795 Nm - 820 Nm with M Sport Boost (M60 xDrive) |
| 0-62 mph | 6.0 sec (eDrive40) / 3.8 sec (M60 xDrive) |
| Top speed | 120 mph (eDrive40) / 143 mph (M60 xDrive) |
| Transmission | Single-speed automatic |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive (eDrive40) / All-wheel drive (M60 xDrive) |
| Range (WLTP) | Up to 362 miles (eDrive40) / up to 321 miles (M60 xDrive) |
| DC rapid charging | Up to 205 kW (10-80% in approx. 30 min) |
| Boot space | 490 litres |
| Kerb weight | 2,205 kg (eDrive40, EU unladen) |
| Warranty | 3 years / unlimited mileage; battery 8 years / 100,000 miles |
| Insurance group | 43E (eDrive40 M Sport) / 49 (M60 xDrive) |
Features
- 81.2 kWh usable battery (83.9 kWh total) with up to 362 miles WLTP range on the eDrive40
- Up to 205 kW DC rapid charging - 10 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes
- Standard 11 kW AC onboard charging, with 22 kW upgrade available
- BMW Curved Display with iDrive 8.5, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Standard heat pump for efficient cold-weather range
- Driving Assistant Professional with active cruise and lane-keeping as standard-fit kit
- Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating
- Battery warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pad set | £85 | Fits G60 i5; long-life pads thanks to regenerative braking |
| Cabin pollen filter | £25 | Genuine activated carbon filter; replace every 2 years |
| Wiper blade set (front) | £35 | Aero blades for G60 5 Series windscreen |
| 12V auxiliary battery | £180 | AGM auxiliary battery for onboard electrics |
| Tyre 245/45 R19 (each) | £220 | EV-rated low rolling resistance tyre; typical M Sport size |
| Type 2 charging cable (5m) | £150 | Single/three-phase home and public charging cable |
Pros
- Range of up to 362 miles makes it a genuine long-distance tool
- Superb motorway refinement and ride comfort
- Five-star Euro NCAP rating with excellent driver assistance
- Drives like a real 5 Series, not a compromised EV conversion
- M60 xDrive offers 601 hp supercar-beating straight-line pace
Cons
- High list prices - the M60 starts near £98,000
- No front boot; 490-litre boot trails the best diesel 5 Series
- Real-world range on bigger wheels drops noticeably
- Rapid depreciation makes new-car buyers wince
