Video Summary
The 5 Series was all new last year, and the i5 is the EV version of the sedan. This XDrive version is all-wheel drive, with two electric motors that together make 389 horsepower and 439 pound-feet of torque. There's an 84.3 kilowatt-hour battery pack in the floor, and max range is 267 miles or 428 kilometers. The steering is electrically assisted, and this model has four-wheel steering. Suspension is based around double wishbones at the front and multi-link at the rear, with self-leveling air springs at the rear. Adaptive dampers are standard, and this one has the M Sport brakes, which are four-piston at the front and single-piston at the rear.Wheels start at 19s, but this one has a set of optional 20s that are staggered, meaning narrower front tires and wider rear tires with optional summer tires. The curb weight of the i5 XDrive 40 is around 5200 pounds.
From the driver's seat, the interior is modern BMW with two big, high-resolution screens that work great in direct light. The system has a powerful processor. The instrument cluster is clear and configurable, and there's also a heads-up display. There is a good relationship to the steering wheel and pedals, and the driver is seated nice and low on the floor.
The driver seat blends comfort and support with modest adjustments. The car also has a comfortable back seat. A wireless charger, a small shifter button, and an under-trunk storage area add extra convenience. It handles Apple CarPlay beautifully, and visibility all-around is excellent.
Electric motors are made in-house. At 205 kilowatts, this one can charge fast. Zero to 60 is in the low to mid-threes. However, at that high charge rate, you have to find chargers that can do that, and they have been hard to come by. And it gets 20% less mileage than the promised range. It tops out at 134 mph. It has great torque delivery because they maintain rear-drive sport sedan dynamics. This is a rear-wheel bias even though it's all-wheel drive. That means that the car does all of the BMW things you'd expect from a sports sedan. It is not a toaster on wheels. The four-wheel steer is very well done. Handling is first, comfort second, and body roll is at a minimum. It does oversteer slightly, but requires the driver to be a complete idiot to get the car out of shape.
In the U.S., the base price is about $70,100. This one is nearly fully equipped, coming in at about $80,000 as tested. In Canada, the base price is about $83,700 and this one tested for $97,750. Those prices are before freight, taxes, rebates, and local incentives. Spec-wise, go with the brakes. While it may not have a ton of feel, they do a tremendous job stopping the car and are well worth the extra cost. One downpoint: the electronic steering has a little more heft than is desirable. Otherwise, it is a far more interesting choice than anything else in the EV segment, and certainly more than anything from Tesla.
