The BMW 5 Series is a poised and refined luxury sedan, responsive and engaging to drive, with an upscale interior furnished with the latest tech features. With its 2024 redesign, BMW added the all electric i5 to the lineup, bringing 5 Series virtues to a version that can skip the pump entirely.
Related: 2024 BMW i5 Review: Dazzling Cabin, Delightful Road Manners
Aside from its all-electric powertrain, the i5 looks, rides and handles much like any 5 Series, and that’s a good thing in our book. Add solid range and a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive to the i5’s attributes, and it adds up to an appealing package that’s more luxurious, comfortable and affordable than competitors including the Mercedes-EQ EQE and Tesla Model S.
Cars.com News Editor Jennifer Geiger recently spent some time with a new i5 in base eDrive 40 trim and came away largely impressed — but not all is perfect. Tap the link above to read Jennifer’s expert review. Here’s a quick look at five things we like about the 2024 BMW i5 and three things we don’t.
Things We Like
1. Balanced Ride and Handling
A standard load-leveling air suspension helps deliver a comfortable, controlled and refined ride, even with the optional 21-inch wheels and tires on our test car. Steering is linear and direct, with good feedback that builds confidence and feels connected to the road, helping the i5 ride and handle like a smaller car than it is.
2. Smooth Powertrain
The i5 eDrive40 is powered by a single electric motor driving the rear wheels that’s good for 335 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque. While perhaps not delivering the neck-snapping response of, say, a Genesis Electrified GV70, acceleration is smooth and quick. A Boost Mode function can add another 22 pounds-feet of torque for short periods if desired.
3. Decent Range
According to the EPA, the i5 eDrive40 is good for 295 miles of range with standard 19-inch wheels or 270 miles with the 21-inch wheels on our test car. That’s decent range, though a base Mercedes-EQ-EQE earns a slightly better 298 miles of range and a Tesla Model S beats both with 402 miles of range. We found the i5 came close to EPA numbers during our testing, albeit in favorable 65-degree temperatures. Opting for efficiency mode increased our estimated range to 305 miles.
4. Impressive Interior
The 2024 redesign added 3.4 inches of overall length to the 5 Series, making for a roomier interior that’s modern, luxurious and assembled with top-notch materials. It’s also packed with novel tech features, including an Innovation Bar that combines touch-sensitive controls with customizable lighting effects. The additional length allows plenty of rear-seat legroom and headroom room for two passengers, and the i5 can easily accommodate two car seats (but note the high center tunnel makes the middle seat all but unusable).
5. Easy Infotainment
The 12.3-inch instrument display and 14.9-inch touchscreen blend together into one curved display, with a slick and modern look. But unlike some modern designs, the BMW system is refreshingly easy to use, with logical menus and quick response times. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are part of the package, and what’s also cool is that you don’t need to choose between looking at the on-board interface or smartphone menu. You can see both at the same time.
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- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2024 BMW i5?
- 2024 BMW 5 Series: New Electric Version, Updated Engines, Futuristic Tech
- Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series a Good Car? Here Are 5 Pros and 4 Cons
Things We Don’t Like
1. Rough Regeneration
Like many electric vehicles and hybrids, the i5’s regenerative braking system captures braking energy to help charge the battery. Some of these systems operate more smoothly than others, and unfortunately, the i5 is not one of the better ones. The problem is most annoying in its default ”adaptive recuperation” mode, which uses navigation and driver-assist system data to help determine how much braking is needed for conditions. While an impressive concept, the result can be uneven braking and jerky stops.
2. Climate Controls
The Innovation Bar looks cool, but we’re not big fans of the seamlike climate-control vents built into it. Altering the airflow can be done using touch controls, but we found those tricky to operate. BMW has relocated most other climate controls to the center touchscreen, which can be harder to operate underway than conventional knobs.
3. Electric Upcharge
With a starting price of $67,795 (all prices include destination), the 2024 BMW i5 carries a hefty premium of almost $9,000 compared to a gas-powered 5 Series in base trim. And like competing models from Mercedes and Tesla, the i5 is not eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. Still, the cost of going electric is less than with either the EQE350+ at $76,050 or the $74,380 starting price of a Model S.
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