BMW i5 eDrive40 Review

The BMW i5 eDrive40 takes the refinement of electric cars to another level. It’s very quiet, and offers extremely comfortable ride quality, even with large alloy wheels and low-profile tyres. This means that the i5 provides a very enjoyable experience on motorway journeys.

The 5 Series has traditionally combined its motorway comfort levels with a rewarding driving experience. The i5 also achieves this, thanks to its rear-wheel drive chassis and a saloon body with a low centre of gravity. However, the i5’s size and 2.2 tonne weight means that it’s ultimately not as agile as the smaller BMW i4.

Performance is good, with a 0-62 mph time of 6.0 seconds, but more performance is on offer from the all-wheel drive BMW i5 M60 xDrive, with 601hp and a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 3.8 seconds.

There are drive modes of Personal, Sport, Efficient, Relax, Expressive and Digital Art. Except that these are no longer called drive modes by BMW, they’re now ‘My Modes’. Whereas previous generation BMWs had drive modes such as Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport which changed settings such as throttle response, My Modes also change elements such as the colour of the ‘BMW Interaction Bar’, which is a strip that stretches across the dashboard and into the doors. For example, if you select Sport, the Interaction Bar changes from blue to red.

You also experience different soundtracks; Sport mode gives you a futuristic sporty sound composed by Hans Zimmer. If you select Expressive mode, the car makes a simulated noise that sounds like grinding metal.

The i5 has a small gear selector which gives you the option of D, or B for increased brake regeneration, and you can also choose high, medium or low braking energy recovery in the BMW iDrive menu. BMW doesn’t offer you the option to change brake regeneration via steering wheel-mounted paddles. Still, the i5 does include a paddle behind the left side of the steering wheel – however in contrast to many other EVs, this is for a boost in acceleration, not a boost in braking.

In terms of driving information, BMW has one of the best systems in the business. If you’re using satnav, the i5 displays a large, detailed map on the 14.9-inch central touchscreen, it also provides a simpler map in the 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel, and in addition, clear directions are shown in the (optional) head-up display. This system is so much better – and safer – than cars which only provide information on a central touchscreen.

And of course, the i5 provides the normal excellent BMW driving position thanks to lots of adjustments for the seat base, seat back and steering wheel.

The BMW i5 eDrive40 is available in M Sport trim from £74,105, with M Sport Pro trim also available. There’s also the BMW i5 M60 xDrive, from £97,745, which delivers 601hp, all-wheel drive, and 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds.

A BMW i5 Touring will go on sale in spring 2024.

The BMW i5 eDrive40 brings all-electric power to the 5 Series Saloon for the first time, resulting in even more refinement, combined with excellent levels of ride comfort. You also get BMW’s rewarding rear-wheel drive handling, although its agility is somewhat blunted by its 2,205kg kerb weight. With a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 6.0 seconds, performance should be sufficient for most people, but if you need more speed, there’s always the BMW i5 M60 xDrive. The official driving range of (WLTP) 312 – 356 miles is good, and with a maximum ultra-rapid charging rate of 205 kW, the i5 should be quick to ‘refuel’. Although the i5 is spacious inside, it’s not as practical as a car with a hatchback. Overall the BMW i5 is a very polished all-rounder, but its high price reflects this.