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Expert Rating

BMW i5

(2023 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

81
%
A

Used car score:

75
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

79
%
A

Safety Rating:

93
%
A

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

65
%
B

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

81
%
A

Used car score:

75
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

79
%
A

Safety Rating:

93
%
A

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

65
%
B

Summary


The BMW i5 is the electric version of the latest eight-generation BMW 5 Series executive saloon. It sits between the smaller i4 and the larger i7 in the electric ‘BMW i’ range.

Initially launched as a saloon, an i5 Touring (estate) joined the range in the summer of 2024. It has received very similar reviews from motoring journalists, while other data points like safety and running costs are also very similar to the saloon.

While the highly-regarded seventh-generation 5 Series range is a tough act to follow, the i5 has been earmarked by UK reviewers as a compelling class leader – offering some of the i7’s interior opulence as part of a cheaper and more engaging package.

Vicky Parrott of Electrifying.com explains that the saloon “strikes a fantastic happy medium”, offering a blend of “executive slicker and occasional country-road thriller.” Parkers‘ Tom Wiltshire agrees, arguing that the BMW is “the most engaging EV in its size class, and even gives outright sports EVs such as the Porsche Taycan a run for driving dynamics.”

James Fossdyke of the Sunday Times praises the car’s “clean”, “well-built” and “very high tech” interior design, while Sean Carson of Auto Express asserts that no other electric saloon can match the i5’s refinement and infotainment features. That said, the Top Gear team adds that this high-tech cabin “can be a bewildering place to navigate.”

Some outlets suggest that the i5 isn’t as fun to drive as its petrol-powered predecessors, while others take issue with the saloon’s expensive price tag. The most frequent criticism refers to the car’s battery range, which Carbuyer describes as “adequate”. The i5 can reportedly muster up to 357 miles on a single charge, while rivals like the Mercedes-Benz EQE and Tesla Model S can travel up to 376 miles and 405 miles, respectively.

As of January 2025, the BMW i5 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 81%. This reflects its excellent media reviews and safety rating, as well as its zero tailpipe emissions. Running costs are also good, although car insurance premiums are likely to be fairly expensive.

i5 highlights

  • Refined and tech-laden interior
  • Agile handling and impressive performance
  • Comfortable and roomy cabin
  • Class-leading infotainment
  • Zero tailpipe emissions

i5 lowlights

  • Key rivals can go longer on a single charge
  • High price tag with an expensive options list
  • Restricted saloon boot opening
  • Lighter petrol-powered versions are more fun to drive
  • Some running costs are quite high

Key specifications


Body style: Medium saloon
Engines:
electric, battery-powered
Price:
From £74,105 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2023
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Driving Electric

+

Electrifying.com

+

Evo

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sunday Times

+

Top Gear

+

Which EV?

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 86%
Safety assist: 78%

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of December 2024, the BMW i5 has not been tested by Green NCAP.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the i5 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

The BMW i5 is still a new model, so we don’t have enough data on the electric saloon to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops. 

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the i5, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models337 milesA301 – 354 milesA – A
Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models4.1 m/KWhC3.7 – 4.3 m/KWhB – D
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models44D43 – 50D – F
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£373C
Year 2£714C
Year 3£1,016B
Year 4£1,322C
Year 5£1,645B
Overall£5,070C

The BMW i5 is a reasonably expensive car to run and own, according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data. However, it’s still cheaper to live with than a conventionally powered saloon of similar size and sophistication – like the regular BMW 5 Series.

Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon in a petrol or diesel car) is only average, although a large battery means that driving range between charges is very good.

Insurance costs are inevitably high (as they are for any 5 Series), while servicing and maintenance costs are not bad for this level of price and luxury.

Recalls


Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BMW i5

Date: February 2024
Recall number: R/2024/211
Model types: All
Build dates: 12/2023 only
Number of vehicles affected: 1
Defect: On affected vehicles if faulty cell modules have been installed then a malfunction may occur in the high voltage battery.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the faulty cell modules in the High Voltage battery will be replaced.

As of October 2024, there has only been one DVSA vehicle safety recall on the BMW i5 – affecting one model – addressing a battery issue.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local BMW dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used i5, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW i5 has received.

BMW i5 – Best Large Car – The Car Expert Awards 2024

2024

  • World Car Awards – Best Luxury Car (entire 5 Series range)

2023

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the BMW i5, you might also be interested in these alternatives.

Audi e-tron GT | BMW i4 | BMW i7 | Citroën C5 X | Hyundai Ioniq 6Kia EV6 | Mercedes-Benz EQE | Polestar 2 | Porsche Taycan | Tesla Model S | Volkswagen ID.7


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Reviewers agree that the talented BMW i5 is one of the most well-rounded electric saloons on the market, but rivals offer more battery range.BMW i5