The new 2024 BMW 5 Series is like having two cars in one. There’s the traditional gas-powered sedan, which will likely make up the majority of sales in most areas. For the first time, though, there’s also an electric version called the i5.
BMW designed both the i5 and the gas-powered 5 Series at the same time. They look almost identical, except for a few specific details like badges that indicate whether it’s electric or not. These cars are recognizable as part of the BMW family but they’re less flashy compared to models like the XM. This is intentional, as BMW is targeting buyers who prefer a more understated design.
Because the i5 is electric, BMW’s designers had to make it a bit taller to make room for the battery pack. The car is also longer and wider to keep it looking elegant. It measures 199.2 inches in length, 74.8 inches in width, and stands 59.6 inches tall.
These larger dimensions mean more space inside. BMW points out that backseat passengers now have more legroom than they did in the previous 5 Series. While the older model wasn’t exactly cramped, the real attention-grabber in the i5 is the technology inside. The driver gets a big Curved Display screen, also found in the i4 and other recent BMW models. This is a frameless, standalone screen that combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen for the Operating System 8.5 infotainment system into one unit. Standard features include compatibility with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
One of the coolest things in the i5 is an in-car gaming system called AirConsole. Passengers can play various games using their smartphones as controllers, but only when the car is stopped. This feature is especially handy for passing time during charging stops, and about 20 games will be available initially.
Continuing BMW’s tradition, the i5 comes with different power levels. The entry-level eDrive40 model has a single, rear-mounted electric motor with 335 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The M60 xDrive version adds a second electric motor at the front, giving it all-wheel-drive and a total of 590 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. Both versions have an 84.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that supports 205-kilowatt charging. While the EPA hasn’t tested the i5 yet, BMW estimates the eDrive40 will have a driving range of 295 miles, and the M60 xDrive will have a range of about 256 miles.
The i5 also features Highway Assistant technology in the optional Driving Assistance Professional package, which allows for “attentive hands-free driving” at speeds up to 85 mph. This isn’t an autonomous driving system; it keeps the car at a set speed and in its lane. The Active Lane Change technology included in this package lets the driver confirm lane changes by looking at the corresponding mirror, using eye-tracking technology.
Production of the 2024 BMW i5 will start later in 2023. Prices for the eDrive40 start at $67,795, including a $995 destination charge, while the M60 xDrive begins at $85,095, making it the priciest model at launch.
For those not interested in electric cars, BMW will also offer the new 5 Series in traditional gas-powered models. These include the 530i and the 540i xDrive. The 530i, starting at $58,895, comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and is available with either rear- or all-wheel drive. The 540i xDrive, priced at $65,895, features a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six engine that delivers 375 horsepower and up to 398 pound-feet of torque with an overboost function. Both engines use a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, and a plug-in hybrid model will be available in American showrooms in 2024.