2024 BMW i5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

In many ways, the 2024 BMW i5 could pass for an internal combustion vehicle, which makes sense, as it’s an electric version of the BMW 5 Series. The traditional grille and air inlets lack the smoothed-over plastic look that some other electric cars have adopted, though the i5 M60 xDrive variant’s grille has hints of that. Thankfully, the designers opted against the awkward vertical grilles found in the BMW iX and i4, as well as the oversized grille on the i7.

From the side, the i5 continues its traditional styling with a long hood and conventional midsize sedan proportions. Around back, the taillights adopt a more angular and beveled shape, but the overall look is still easily recognizable as a BMW.

The interior is also in line with BMW's current design direction, with a large horizontal dual-screen enclosure atop the dashboard. Many of the usual buttons and knobs have been eliminated in favour of integrating those controls into the infotainment touchscreen. As a result, the cockpit has a clean, minimal look, though the screens could be more gracefully blended into the dash.

The seat upholstery features beveled quilting that adds some visual interest while tying into the exterior's styling cues. The leather quality is comparable to other luxury vehicles, as are most of the other plastic interior elements. The piano black section of the centre console feels just as sturdy as other cabin parts, but the glossy surface is a magnet for dust, fingerprints, and smudges. On the whole, the i5 feels solidly built and easily meets expectations for a luxury sedan.

In Canada, the 2024 BMW i5 is available only in the more powerful M60i xDrive configuration. As the xDrive label implies, all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard equipment. (Note that the test vehicle shown is the eDrive40, a U.S. specification with rear-wheel drive (RWD) that won’t be sold in Canada. The i5 xDrive40, an AWD version of this lower-powered spec, will launch in Canada for the 2025 model year.)

The BMW i5 M60 xDrive produces an impressive 593 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque. That should be potent enough to get to 96 km/h in only 3.7 seconds. Range is estimated by Natural Resources Canada at 412 kilometres with 19-inch wheels, 399 km with 20-inch wheels, and 386 km with 21-inch wheels.

Despite tipping the scales at over 5,100 pounds, the i5 handles a curvy road as well as its gas-powered 5-Series sibling. Having most of the weight low in the floor helps with stability and can indeed be considered fun to drive. The i5 M60 xDrive is a good choice for the traditional BMW M buyer, the driver who wants peak performance, with an almost impractical amount of power and a sport-tuned adaptive suspension.

As expected, the i5 delivers a nearly silent driving experience, with only a hint of road noise on the highways. Ride quality is pleasantly smooth, isolating passengers from moderate ruts and bumps in the road, though the M60's stiffer suspension noticeably firms things up. Whether you're more prone to comfortable touring or spirited cornering, the i5's broad range of skills has you covered.

With plenty of power adjustments and well-shaped surfaces, the front seats can comfortably accommodate a variety of body types. The front roof pillars are on the thick side and can impede your view through left turns, but otherwise, outward visibility is good. A rubberized wireless charging tray keeps larger phones from sliding around when cornering and pairs well with the wireless phone integration. Cupholders are average in size, as is the centre console armrest bin and door pockets, leaving you with an adequate, but not generous, amount of personal item storage.

Adult-sized passengers will fit in the rear seats with no problem, as there's enough headroom and legroom. There's not much space for feet under the front seats, but that should only be an issue for taller occupants.

Behind the rear seats, the trunk has up to 490 litres of cargo space. It's a large and very usable space that should be able to swallow several large suitcases. That's a good thing since the i5 lacks a front trunk (frunk) that many other EVs benefit from.

DC fast charging capabilities are standard on all i5 models and can operate at rates as fast as 209 kW. It's estimated to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 30 minutes. On a home charger, the i5 is able to charge at a rather quick 11 kW, which should fully charge the battery from empty in under 10 hours.

The i5's iDrive infotainment system deserves praise for its sharp graphics and quick responses, but it's handicapped by an overabundance of on-screen buttons that can be overwhelming. Many systems such as entertainment, navigation, and climate control can be operated with natural speech commands. For example, you can say, "Hey BMW, lower the temperature to 21 degrees," and the system will automatically adjust the temperature.

Unfortunately, for many secondary controls, voice commands are not available, forcing you to delve into the menus to try and find the correct setting. For something as simple as adjusting the adaptive cruise control following distance or regenerative braking, having to dig for them seems like a step backward. Small on-screen buttons further complicate use as you have to pay closer attention to the screen, making the system more distracting than it needs to be.

Many owners will likely prefer to use their phone as their primary infotainment hub and for them, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Also included is a wireless charging pad, so you won't need a cable. In our time with the i5, Apple CarPlay mostly operated without a hitch, though there were a few connection interruptions.

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have completed crash test evaluations on the 2024 BMW i5 yet, but we expect scores to be strong since it performed so well in European NCAP tests. For comparison, the gas-powered BMW 5 Series was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, the Institute's second-highest honour.

All i5 models come standard with frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driving Assistant Professional package adds adaptive cruise control, a hands-free highway assistant, active lane-change assist, and lane-keep steering intervention.

In our experience with the i5, the adaptive cruise control maintained a consistent interval with leading vehicles and when traffic slowed to a stop, the BMW did so smoothly. Other driver assistance systems operated flawlessly without any false alarms or glitches.

Pricing for the 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive will set you back $98,254, including a $2,480 destination charge and other fees. Note that at this price point, the i5 does not qualify for federal or provincial/territorial EV rebates, and adding options will push the price into luxury tax territory. However, this is to be expected with a high-performance luxury vehicle, and the M60 is best reserved for the rare driver that desires this level of performance. The i5 xDrive40 coming in 2025 is better suited to the needs of the average driver.

BMWs typically match or exceed pricing set by rival luxury brands, but in the case of the i5, it actually can save you a healthy amount of cash over comparable electric vehicles. By comparison, the Genesis Electrified G80 and Tesla Model S both start above $105,000. A Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 starts at roughly the same price as the i5 M60 in Canada. Real-world range is comparable between these models, but the BMW i5 gains an edge for its livelier driving dynamics. The Porsche Taycan is another alternative for shoppers seeking even more performance from a German luxury brand, but as you'd expect, it'll cost you. It starts just under $150,000.

On the lower end, the smaller BMW i4 could also be considered. It starts at just under $55,000, which is within EV rebate thresholds, and can be just as thrilling to drive.

All things considered, the 2024 BMW i5 delivers everything expected of a luxury electric sedan and goes further with performance without sacrificing comfort. While we're not thrilled with the infotainment system, it does little to sour an otherwise excellent driving experience.

Note: Images show a US model.