BMW i4 vs BMW i5

The 2024 BMW i5 was designed to closely resemble its internal combustion counterpart, the BMW 5 Series, maintaining a traditional aesthetic that many electric vehicles have moved away from. Its grille and air inlets retained a classic look, avoiding the smoothed-over plastic appearance seen in other EVs. The i5 M60 xDrive variant hinted at a more modern design but still steered clear of the awkward vertical grilles found in other BMW models. The side profile showcased a long hood and conventional midsize sedan proportions, while the rear featured angular taillights that remained distinctly BMW. Inside, the i5 followed BMW's current design trends with a dual-screen setup on the dashboard, minimizing physical buttons in favour of touchscreen controls. The interior boasted high-quality leather and plastic elements, though the piano black surfaces were prone to fingerprints. Overall, the i5 was solidly built, meeting luxury sedan expectations.

The 2025 BMW i4, based on the 4 Series Gran Coupe architecture, integrated its electric components seamlessly, resulting in a vehicle that looked more like a traditional car than BMW's earlier i3 and i8 models. The 2025 update brought minor design tweaks, including new lighting, grille detailing, and wheel designs, while the interior saw a new steering wheel and updated upholstery. The i4's sportback design, with its sloping roofline, offered practicality with a hatchback-style rear. Inside, the i4's cabin was cold and technical, though warmer upholstery options added a touch of luxury. The i4 was available in four model series in Canada, with prices ranging from $58,278 to $84,038. The test car, an i4 eDrive40, featured several premium packages, bringing its price to $84,578. Despite its weight, the i4 offered a dynamic driving experience, especially in Sport mode, and provided a near-silent ride on highways.

The 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive, available in Canada, delivered a powerful performance with its 593 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque. This all-wheel-drive configuration allowed the i5 to accelerate to 96 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. The i5's range varied depending on wheel size, with estimates of 412 kilometres on 19-inch wheels, 399 km on 20-inch wheels, and 386 km on 21-inch wheels. Despite its weight of over 5,100 pounds, the i5 handled curves well, thanks to its low centre of gravity. The driving experience was nearly silent, with a smooth ride quality, although the M60's sport-tuned suspension firmed things up for spirited driving.

The 2025 BMW i4 eDrive40, with its single motor, offered a balance of range and performance. It produced 335 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, achieving 96 km/h in 5.5 seconds. The i4's 81-kilowatt-hour battery provided a range of 475 kilometres with 19-inch wheels and 512 km with 18-inch wheels. The i4 featured three driving modes: Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport, with an Individual mode for customization. In Eco Pro mode, the i4 maintained efficiency, while Sport mode enhanced responsiveness and handling. The i4's battery could be charged to 80% in 30 minutes at a DC fast charger. Despite its weight, the i4 offered a dynamic driving experience, especially in Sport mode, and provided a near-silent ride on highways.

The 2024 BMW i5 offered comfortable front seats with ample adjustments, though the thick front roof pillars slightly impeded visibility. Storage was adequate, with average-sized cupholders and a centre console armrest bin. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed sufficient headroom and legroom, though foot space was limited. The trunk provided 490 litres of cargo space, accommodating several large suitcases. The i5 lacked a front trunk but featured standard DC fast charging capabilities, replenishing the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes.

The 2025 BMW i4's low seating position and small door openings made entry and exit challenging. Once inside, the cabin offered comfort for both front and rear passengers, though taller occupants found space limited. Storage was sparse, with a sizable bin under the centre armrest but limited cupholder and smartphone charger space. The i4's trunk measured 283 litres, but removing the cargo cover and folding the rear seats increased utility. Despite its compact interior, the i4 offered impressive practicality.

The 2024 BMW i5 featured the iDrive infotainment system with sharp graphics and quick responses, though the abundance of on-screen buttons was overwhelming. Voice commands controlled many systems, but secondary controls required menu navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a wireless charging pad included. Apple CarPlay generally operated smoothly, though occasional connection interruptions occurred.

The 2025 BMW i4's BMW Curved Display combined a 12.3-inch driver display with a 14.9-inch touchscreen, upgraded to iDrive 8.5 with Quick Select. The system included BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant for voice commands and Augmented View technology for navigation. The i4's navigation system optimized routes based on charging station availability. Plug & Charge authentication simplified charging, while climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen. The iDrive 8.5 system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though accessing radio stations via the touchscreen was cumbersome.

The 2024 BMW i5 had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but European NCAP tests suggested strong performance. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driving Assistant Professional package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. The i5's driver assistance systems operated smoothly without false alarms.

The 2025 BMW i4 came standard with forward collision warning and automatic high beams. Additional features, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, were available in packages. The Advanced Driver Assistance package included adaptive cruise control and hands-free driving features. During testing, the i4's driver aids occasionally misread lane lines and obstacles, but the Active Protection System demonstrated its effectiveness in emergency situations. Crash-test ratings were incomplete at the time of writing.