Overview Essentially an all-electric version of the 5-series sedan, the 2026 BMW i5 does a commendable job of hitting all the trademark BMW hallmarks. It rocks slightly muscular four-door exterior styling, offers room for five in a comfortable interior crafted from upscale materials, and features a powertrain-and-chassis combo designed to elevate the driving experience far beyond that of basic transportation. The single-motor 335-hp eDrive40 holds down the base position and delivers up to a claimed 305 miles of range. The 389-hp xDrive40 adds all-wheel drive, and the 593-hp M60 xDrive brings the maximum heat with a 60-mph time of just 3.3 seconds in our testing. Though the i5 isn’t the only EV sedan playing in the luxury-sport segment—competitors include the Genesis Electrified G80, the Mercedes-Benz EQE, and the Porsche Taycan—its blend of features and performance stand tall on their own merit. What’s New for 2026?BMW claims an increase in range of up to eight percent depending on wheel size and trim. The improvements are the result of reduced rolling resistance due to improved bearings, increased efficiency, and better thermal management of the electrical inverters. Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 BMW i5 is expected to start around $68,275 and go up to $85,500 depending on the trim and options.The M60 xDrive is the ticket here, bringing oodles of power, an adaptive suspension, additional black-out exterior accents, a lip spoiler, a 17-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system, and more. (Hey, we’re nothing if not predictable.) Getting Started with EVsEV Motor, Power, and PerformanceThree i5 models are offered, starting with the 335-hp eDrive40, which drives the rear wheels via a single electric motor. The xDrive40 adds a second electric motor on the front axle and provides 389 horsepower and all-wheel drive. The hotter M60 xDrive model, also with dual motors, brings 593 horses and also includes active anti-roll bars, a sporty suspension tune, wider tires, and rear-wheel steering to give the car more athletic responses. We tested the eDrive40 and appreciated its refined ride and smooth powertrain; it feels just like a gas-powered 5-series, with the same solid chassis but less engine noise. Our test of the i5 M60 revealed a surprisingly wieldy sports sedan in the corners despite its heft, and its muscular dual-motor powertrain provides plenty of thrills in the acceleration department. We haven’t yet driven the xDrive40 model, however.0–60-MPH TimesIn our testing, the i5 M60 rocketed to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, and we found the car’s optional launch-control function to be particularly fun. The less powerful eDrive40 gets to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and the xDrive40 will almost certainly cut some time off that number.More on the i5 SedanRange, Charging, and Battery LifeAn 84.3-kWh battery pack lies beneath the i5’s floorboards. BMW notes that the 2026 i5 models benefit from slight increases in range, claiming up to 305 miles for the eDrive40 and 278 miles for the xDrive40; we’ll confirm that data here as soon as the EPA issues its official estimates. No word from BMW yet about whether the M60 xDrive sees an increase from its 2025 EPA range of 253 miles. The car’s battery pack can be hooked up to DC fast-charging stations and is said to be capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes on such a connection. Speaking of charging, BMW will include three years of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America charging stations with every new i5.Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGeBMW hasn’t made any MPGe numbers official yet. According to the EPA, the most efficient 2025 i5 model was the eDrive40, which was rated as high as 105 MPGe highway. On the other end of the spectrum was the 2025 M60 xDrive, which was rated up to 91 MPGe highway. Given BMW’s claims that the 2026 i5s will get slightly better range, those numbers could improve slightly this year. When they come in, we’ll update this story with them. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency. When we get a chance, we’ll take the i5 on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route and update this story with test results. For more information about the 5-series’ fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoThe i5’s cabin is just as spacious and posh as that of the gasoline-powered 5-series. The battery doesn’t intrude on cabin space, but trunk space is slightly less generous here than in the 5-series. Leather upholstery is still available, but BMW also offers a faux-leather upholstery called Veganza in the i5; a set of glass interior controls is also available and adds a classy touch to the sedan’s cabin. Heated and ventilated front seats with massage are optional on the eDrive40 and standard on the M60 xDrive.The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityThe i5’s dashboard is dominated by a large, curved panel that incorporates a 12.3-inch digital gauge display as well as a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. BMW’s latest iDrive 8.5 interface is easy to use and can be updated via over-the-air updates should the need arise for that. A head-up display is optional, but all models come with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-dash navigation, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a Harman/Kardon stereo system, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot.How to Buy and Maintain a CarSafety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesThe i5 offers the expected driver-assistance features as standard, including automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, but more advanced features—including BMW’s Highway Assistant hands-free driving mode—are optional. For more information about the i5’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance CoverageThe i5 comes standard with the same warranty coverage as BMW’s other electrified models, which means basic coverage for four years or 50,000 miles and more generous protection for the electric vehicle components. All new BMWs also come with a three-year complimentary maintenance plan.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- EV components warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
SpecificationsSpecifications
2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $85,095/$94,245
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: current-excited synchronous, 257 hp, 269 lb-ft
Rear Motor: current-excited synchronous, 335 hp, 317 lb-ft
Combined Power: 593 hp
Combined Torque: 605 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 81.2 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 205 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.7-in vented disc/14.6-in vented disc
Tires: Continental EcoContact 6Q
F: 255/35R-21 101Y Extra Load ★
R: 285/30R-21 103Y Extra Load ★
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.9 in
Length: 199.2 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 59.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/45 ft3
Trunk Volume: 17 ft3
Curb Weight: 5225 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.3 sec
100 mph: 7.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.5 sec @ 124 mph
130 mph: 12.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.4 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 142 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 158 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 317 ft
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 75 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving: 88 MPGe
75-mph Highway Range: 230 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 85/85/86 MPGe
Range: 240 mi
2024 BMW i5 eDrive40
Vehicle Type: rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $67,795/$78,995
POWERTRAIN
Motor: current-excited synchronous AC
Power: 335 hp
Torque: 317 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 84.3 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 205 kW
Transmission: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.7-in vented disc/14.6-in vented disc
Tires: Continental EcoContact 6Q
F: HL255/35R-21 101Y ★ ContiSilent
R: HL285/30R-21 103Y ★ ContiSilent
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.9 in
Length: 199.2 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 59.6 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/45 ft3
Trunk Volume: 17 ft3
Curb Weight: 4880 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.1 sec
100 mph: 12.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.7 sec @ 105 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.2 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.2 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 111 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 158 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 323 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING
Observed: 73 MPGeEPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 96/97/94 MPGe
Range: 270 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
