Ditch your gas car; the 2024 BMW’s i5 EV’s refined athleticism tops it

For BMW, the lucky number always seems to be 5. It was the 507 that proved to be the most beautiful sports car the company has ever built. And while the 3 Series remained the foundation of the brand since its inception, it’s the larger 5 Series, introduced in 1972, that brought it the lasting fame and admiration that BMW always enjoyed.

And so it’s fitting that even though the company has already released the battery-electric i4 compact hatchback and the sizable yet exquisite i7 full-size sedan, it’s the midsize i5 sedan that seems to be its Goldilocks EV. It’s just right.

Like the i4 and i7, BMW’s i5 looks mostly like its gas-powered counterpart, albeit with a couple of styling differences. Like other BMW EVS, it has a different grille from its petrol-powered siblings. Its LED lighting and shark-nose grille recall the past models, albeit updated for the 21st century. The i5 proves reassuringly contemporary, looking mostly like any other 5 Series. It just happens to be electric. In this regard, BMW is taking a different approach than Mercedes-Benz. BMW’s prime competitor is separating its vehicles into a unique EQ line, with its sedans having all the visual presence of a four-wheel suppository. It’s as if Mercedes-Benz is walking away from its heritage—something BMW embraces, thankfully.

Nevertheless, for 2024, the battery electric BMW i5 comes in two forms.

The first is the rear-wheel-drive i5 eDrive40, base price $66,800, delivering 335 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Running 0-60 mph takes 5.7 seconds according to BMW. Top speed is 120 mph. Range is EPA rated at 295 miles—if you have 19-inch wheels. That declines to 270 miles with 21-inch wheels.

Then there’s the all-wheel-drive i5 M60 xDrive, base price $84,100, which generates 593 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. Reaching 60 mph takes conspicuously less time, a mere 3.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 130 mph. EPA range is 256 miles with 19-inch wheels, 240 miles with 21s.

Given the difference in their power, it’s hardly surprising that the two models possess different personalities. The BMW i5 eDrive40 is the consummate luxury sedan, one that takes advantage of the electric driveline’s quiet nature to deliver a comfortably serene experience. The ride tends to be soft, but not at the expense of handling or driving fun. It’s very controllable in the best BMW tradition. Rear air springs are standard; electronically controlled dampers are optional. Acceleration is fairly strong, and most drivers will enjoy the beautiful restrained balance that this model offers.

By contrast, the i5 M60 xDrive is a far more aggressive animal, albeit one draped in the automotive equivalent of a post-modern tuxedo. If you’re the type of person for whom the party never stops, or you just love a great luxury sports sedan, this is your ride. While both models deliver the instant torque that makes EVs so endearing, the i5 M60 xDrive delivers more of it more immediately. The ride is definitely firmer, with all the athleticism you’d require without the discomfort. Handling is superbly sharp, thanks to rear-wheel steering, active anti-roll bars and unique suspension tuning.

And once it comes time to recharge, a Level 3 DC fast charger replenishes the 2024 BMW i5 from 10-to-80 percent in 30 minutes. For home charging, its Level 2 charger refills the batteries at a rate of 11 kW.

While driving, you’ll find yourself perched in seats covered in leather or, for the first time, Veganza, a new faux-leather that might fool the unsuspecting. The front seats are heated, ventilated and feature a massage function on the M60 xDrive. Thankfully, they’re optional on the eDrive40.

Regardless of model, all i5s come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen under a single sheet of glass. A head-up display, which projects key information like speed onto the windshield, is optional. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, a wireless smartphone charger, a Harman/Kardon audio system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot come standard.

It all makes the 2024 BMW i5 a truly contemporary luxury sports sedan experience, with a refined athleticism that’s sublime. Sure, some rivals offer more range. But they won’t offer the blend of ingredients that have always made a BMW a true driver’s car. It’s been true for decades. And that hasn’t changed, even in this age of electrification.

NUTS & BOLTS

Base price: $66,800 (eDrive40), $84,100 (M60 xDrive)

Motors: Synchronous AC

Horsepower/Torque: 335/295 pound-feet (eDrive40), 593/586 pound-feet (M60 xDrive)

Range: 295 miles (eDrive40), 256 miles (M60 xDrive)

Charging time (10-80%): 30 minutes (DC fast charger)

Length/Width/Height: 199.2/74.8/59.6 inches

Ground clearance: 5.4 inches

Payload: 1,157 pounds

Cargo capacity: 17.3 cubic feet