A decade has passed since my first drive along Portugal’s N247 coastal road, a picturesque yet mundanely named stretch of winding tarmac. My initial visit involved testing BMW’s ActiveHybrid 5, which marked the introduction of electrification in BMW’s mid-size sedan lineup. Fast forward to 2023, and I find myself back on the N247 in a 5 Series, but this time, it’s fully electric. The story of BMW’s eighth-generation 5 Series begins with the 2024 i5.
The i5 follows in the footsteps of its larger sibling, the i7, by not being a stand-alone EV on a dedicated platform, akin to the iX SUV. Instead, both EV and ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) models of the 5 Series share the same underlying architecture. BMW has designed most of its platforms to accommodate internal combustion, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains. From an exterior perspective, there’s minimal to distinguish the i5 from its gasoline counterparts, following a deliberate design choice. Thankfully, the i5 has avoided some of the aesthetic missteps of its predecessor.
Single Motor or Dual Motors?
The US market will receive two i5 variants: the eDrive40 with a single motor and rear-wheel drive, and the M60 xDrive with dual motors and all-wheel drive. Both models feature an 81.2 kWh lithium-ion battery with usable capacity. BMW claims that all i5 models can accept DC fast-charging speeds of up to 205 kilowatts, a modest improvement over the i7’s 195 kW maximum. When connected to a Level 2 home charger, you can expect 11 kW charging.
In the eDrive40, the rear-mounted electric motor generates 335 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This provides enough oomph to propel the 4,916-pound sedan from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, coincidentally matching the old ActiveHybrid 5’s time. For everyday driving, this level of performance is perfectly adequate, especially considering the instant torque delivery common to electric vehicles. The EPA estimates a maximum range of 295 miles for the single-motor configuration.
The i5 M60 xDrive, on the other hand, offers a substantial upgrade with a powerful 593 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque. The addition of a second electric drive unit at the front axle adds 331 pounds to the i5’s curb weight, but the extra power compensates for this weight increase. The i5 M60 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a brisk 3.7 seconds. However, the trade-off is a reduction in range, with the EPA suggesting a maximum of 256 miles.
A Superb Daily Driver
Irrespective of power output, the i5 drives like a quintessential 5 Series: smooth and comfortable on the highway, yet ready to carve through corners on narrow roads. Impressions from earlier i5 prototypes tested at BMW’s Miramas proving grounds earlier this year appear to align with the production model’s performance.
In an i5 eDrive40 equipped with the optional M Sport suspension, electronically adjustable dampers, and 21-inch wheels (with smaller 19- and 20-inch options available), the ride quality is exceptional. It adeptly smooths out the often rough roads in small Portuguese towns. All i5 models come with a self-leveling rear air suspension, ensuring a comfortable rear end, while the front double-wishbone setup provides a well-balanced driving experience and communicates sufficient feedback through the thick-rimmed steering wheel.
All i5 models offer 2.5-degree rear-axle steering, aiding cornering stability. Only the M60 gets the 5 Series’ new 48-volt active anti-roll technology, which enhances the sedan’s composure during spirited driving on hilly terrain.
Regenerative braking is essential for an EV like the i5, feeding excess energy back into the battery. BMW offers various preset levels of regen, managed through a sub-menu of the iDrive 8.5 infotainment system. My recommendation is to keep the i5 in the “B” setting, just one click below “D,” which maximizes regen. Also, it’s advisable to disable the adaptive recuperation feature, which adjusts regen based on GPS route data. While it sounds promising in theory, it leads to inconsistent brake feel.
Hands-Free Driving
Interested in hands-free driving? The i5 has you covered, at least on pre-mapped highways. BMW’s Highway Assistant enables extended periods of hands-free driving without requiring constant wheel contact. Even if you need to make minor corrections, the system won’t automatically disengage. It’s incredibly user-friendly.
One noteworthy feature making its debut in the i5 is gesture-based lane changes. When using Highway Assistant and the system detects that a lane change could be advantageous, it suggests the maneuver. To execute the lane change, you merely need to glance at the corresponding side mirror. If you prefer to decline the suggestion, simply keep looking straight ahead. This technology is effortless and will soon be rolled out to other BMW models equipped with Highway Assistant.
A Tech-Loaded Cabin
The i5’s interior is characterized by thoughtful details, such as attractive contrast stitching on vegan upholstery, backlit ambient lighting panels, and glass controls on the center console. Moreover, the wireless charging pad ahead of the cup holders features two individually carved-out smartphone slots, eliminating conflicts over charging space.
A single curved display incorporates a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch multimedia touchscreen. The digital gauge cluster offers multiple customizable displays, complete with augmented reality overlays for precise turn-by-turn directions. The right-hand screen hosts iDrive 8.5, an upgrade over the previous iDrive 8.0 system. It introduces a row of feature buttons along the bottom of the display for quick access to common functions, which is advantageous given iDrive’s main menu, which can be cumbersome to navigate with its array of small icons. BMW has promised further over-the-air improvements for iDrive.
One interesting but perhaps unnecessary addition is “AirConsole.” When parked, you can scan a QR code on your smartphone to access and play one of ten different video games directly on the 14.9-inch display. These games include off-brand versions of popular titles like Mario Kart and Tetris. While it’s unclear how this improves upon casually using your smartphone while waiting for the i5 to charge, it’s an option for those interested. Up to seven players can connect and play on AirConsole, which could be beneficial for BMW’s seven-passenger vehicles when this feature inevitably extends to them. For now, you’ll have to squeeze your friends into the i5. (By the way, “Yoshi” is already claimed.)
Coming This Fall, with More to Come
The 2024 i5 eDrive40 is set to start at $67,795, including a $995 destination charge, when it becomes available this fall. This pricing undercuts its chief rivals, the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ and the Tesla Model S, which are priced at $76,050 and $76,380, respectively. Interestingly, the i5’s starting price is only a few thousand dollars more than the ActiveHybrid 5 when it first launched in 2012, illustrating the democratization of electric mobility.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No EU Brief journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
