BMW i5 M60 Review: A Better 5 Series with Electric Power in 2024

Pros: Excellent ride/handling balance; eDrive40’s ample power and range; very cool interior; nutty M60 power; fast charging

Cons: Small, awkwardly shaped trunk; questionable styling, especially the M60

The all-electric variant of the brand-new, next-generation 5 Series is the 2024 BMW i5 m60 review. In contrast to Mercedes’ approach to electrification, where the EQE is quite visibly a radically different car from the E-Class – for better and ill – you’ll have a hard time telling them apart visually. Of course, there are drawbacks to this idea as well. It lacks the rear seat and load capacity of a specialized electric vehicle (EV) like the EQE since it shares a body construction with an internal combustion engine vehicle. But all things considered, the i5 is a very attractive premium sedan—possibly even more so than the 5 Series itself. It’s among the top premium electric sedans as well.

There are two variants for 2024: the eDrive40, which has a rear-wheel drive system, a single motor, and a 296-mile maximum range. With two motors, all-wheel drive, and a somewhat shorter range than the eDrive40, the M60 produces 258 horsepower more than the eDrive40. That speaks more about the M60’s wacky nature than anything else. The eDrive is already very amazing and incredibly fast. The M60’s performance is excessive, therefore we believe the eDrive40 is the i5 to choose because of its range advantage.

Among the i5’s noteworthy benefits is its really innovative ride-handling balance, which enables you to skillfully carve a canyon one moment and glide down the road in cocoon-like luxury the next. Along with being truly cool, the inside features large, attractive screens that don’t compromise the car’s functioning, as well as color-changing trim pieces and concealed air vents. To put it succinctly, this is the most captivating 5 Series in ages.

What’s new for 2024?

The all-electric i5 is the new model for 2024 BMW i5 and is essentially the next generation, all-new BMW 5 Series, which will be released later. Keep in mind that the xDrive40, an all-wheel drive vehicle with two motors, will debut in 2025.

What are the i5 interior and in-car technology like?

The inside of the i5 is really stylish. As you climb in, you’ll see the colorful trim strip arcing across the dash and from door to door. That’s all well and good, but it gets better: what you’re looking at is really an ambient lighting panel that you can customize to the hue of your choice, rather than a standard trim panel that will look the same the day it leaves the factory. Concealed air vents that are directed by tiny rubber knobs rather than clunky touchscreen controls are another clever feature.

The most recent iteration of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which is available for the 2024 BMW i5 m60 review, is a welcome upgrade over its vexing and too complex predecessor. It is generally easy to operate and you don’t have to delve too deeply into menus to do tasks (like turning on the heated seats, for example). In-depth settings (such as the hues of the ambient lighting) may be found with the use of natural speech recognition commands, and the i5 is fortunate that BMW has retained the iDrive control knob. While it is redundant and not technically essential, it is nonetheless appreciated for operations like as zooming in and out on a map or paging through a list of contacts, radio stations, or music that are easier performed with a knob.

How big is the i5?

Compared to the previous generation 5 Series, the 2024 BMW i5 is 1.4 inches wider and 3.4 inches longer. Indeed, it is a fairly large sedan; twenty years ago, the 7 Series had the same length. Additionally, it is 2.3 inches longer than the Mercedes EQE Sedan, which is undoubtedly its main rival. However, because the i5 shares its chassis with the gas-powered 5 Series, it has a far shorter wheelbase than the EQE’s unique electric vehicle platform. This means that although the specs state that it has 1.7 inches of legroom in the rear seat, in our testing, it seemed like the Benz had even more. Despite this, the rear seat is still roomy and comfy with plenty of headroom—something the sloopy EQE cannot claim.

According to BMW specifications, the i5 offers 17.3 cubic feet of trunk capacity, although it’s unlikely that this figure was calculated using the same standards as vehicles from other manufacturers. Though theoretically extremely easy to achieve for a trunk with 17.3 cubic feet (a Honda Accord has 16.7 cubes and can hold a 38-quart cooler in addition to all six bags), it was unable to fit all six bags from our regular baggage test in our cargo testing. We’ve seen situations similar to this one with BMW before. In addition, the room itself is a little low and asymmetrical, although it does include a quite large subterranean storage space. The trunk of the EQE is somewhat more useful.

What are the i5 range and performance specs?

The eDrive40 and M60 are the two variants of the 2024 BMW i5, which are named by its electric drivetrain. A third, the xDrive40, is planned for release in 2025 and will essentially close the gap between the two current models.

Rear-wheel drive is provided by the single engine that drives the rear axle of the i5 eDrive40. It has 295 pound-feet of torque and 335 horsepower, which doesn’t sound like a lot for an electric motor. Still, this engine can propel the over 5,000-pound i5 to 60 mph in a just 5.7 seconds.

The eDrive40’s range is influenced by wheel size. Its fuel efficiency is rated at 32 kWh per 100 miles when using the standard 19-inch wheels, 278 miles when using 20-inch wheels, or 270 miles when using 21-inch wheels, according to EPA estimates.

The i5 M60 has all-wheel drive since it has two motors—one for each axle. With 593 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque, it can reach 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. With 19-inch wheels, the range is 256 miles (37 kWh/100 miles), 248 miles (38 kWh/100 miles), and 240 miles (40 kWh/100 miles) with 21-inch wheels.

Both have a maximum DC fast-charging rate of 205 kilowatts, which is one of the fastest rates available.

What’s the i5 like to drive?

After navigating a winding mountain route in the 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40, it was difficult to accept that a speedier model was required. This large midsize sedan’s single-motor, rear-drive variant has more than enough acceleration to make it move much too fast; adding 258 horsepower to the same vehicle with the dual-motor i5 M60 simply seems a little crazy.

The i5 eDrive40 demonstrated on the same winding mountain route that BMW has somewhat recovered the dynamic vigor that has been lacking in the last two versions of the 5 Series. Although it’s still not as good as it was in the past, there is some steering sensation. All effort levels seem appropriate given the driving setting. The additional damping provided by the eDrive40’s optional M Sport suspension,

The i5 M60 is obviously considerably more enjoyable, and at 593 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque, it makes sense. This heavier i5 cuts a lot of ground thanks to the extra power of all-wheel drive, and the M60’s ride quality is still smooth and pleasant even on big 21-inch wheels. The unique electronically regulated active dampers on the M60 are to thank for that. Despite its 5,247-pound curb weight, the M60 is surprisingly agile and enjoyable on a closed course because to its model-specific rear-wheel steering (up to 2.5 degrees), reduced ride height, and active roll stabilization. However, it is by no means a track vehicle.

The i5 has variable degrees of regenerative braking, much like the majority of other EVs. When in Drive, drivers may pick from a number of preset settings, and then, with the electronic shifter making it easier to select the B mode, turn up the regen dial to the maximum to enable one-pedal driving. It’s quite likely that you’ll discover a solution that suits your needs, even if it means operating it like a gas-powered 5 Series with a brake pedal that feels natural.

What other BMW i5 m60 reviews can I read?

2024 BMW i5 First Drive Review: 5 Series goes electric with aplomb

Look here for more in-depth driving impressions of both the eDrive40 and M60, plus details about its design, engineering and other details about how the i5 came to be.

Why the new 2024 BMW i5 looks just like the new 5 Series

In our exclusive interview with BMW designer Domagoj Dukec, we find out more about why BMW went with electrifying the 5 Series instead of making a separate model.

What is the 2024 i5 price?

There are two i5 versions available based on the engine. The starting price of the rear-wheel drive, single-motor eDrive40 is $67,795 (inclusive of the fair $995 destination fee). The M Sport option, which comes with a M Sport suspension, M wheels and steering wheel, and unique stylistic elements, costs $3,000 and is featured throughout this review.

With two motors, the2024 BMW i5 M60 review has all-wheel drive. A clever 48-volt electrically controlled active anti-roll suspension technology greatly increases performance and improves ride and handling. It also receives unique style, but we’re not sure that counts as a victory.

Notable options include the Highway Assistant hands-free adaptive cruise control system, a glass roof, front ventilated seats, leather seating (a very realistic simulated leather available in multiple colors is standard), the Premium package (heated seats and wheel, adaptive cruise control, natural voice recognition controls, a head-up display), and more. The final three things are independent choices.

What are the i5 safety ratings and driver assistance features?

Along with front and rear parking sensors, every 2024 BMW i5 m60 review has blind-spot and lane-departure warning systems, automated emergency braking, and forward collision warning. One of various packages comes with lane-centering steering assistance and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. An additional feature of the Driving Assistance Professional package is a hands-free adaptive cruise control system.

As of the time of writing, no third party had crash-tested the i5.

2024 BMW i5 Review: 5 Series goes electric, better for it