2026 BMW i5

We all know the BMW 5 Series. It’s been a remarkable member of the midsize luxury sedan class for generations. That’s human generations as well as car generations. The i5 is based on the same platform as the latest gasoline-powered 5 Series (both launched for the 2024 model year) and has an extremely similar set of impressive attributes. These include wonderful technology, a roomy and high-quality interior, and a driving experience that can appeal to enthusiasts without alienating the other occupants — a BMW specialty. It’s just that the i5 uses electricity to deliver the thrills and prestige.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and researching this generation of luxury electric cars, including the BMW i5.

The 2026 i5 can travel for a little longer between recharges, compared with the 2025 i5. For example, the eDrive40 goes from 295 to 310 miles, while its all-wheel-drive (AWD) counterpart adds 12 miles to its maximum for a total of 278 miles.

The eDrive40 is popular among i5 buyers. It has the best range and the lowest price. We think the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron is also well worth considering, and the Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan. Both cars have pricing similar to the i5.

Before buying a new i5 luxury electric sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. We expect resale values to be about average for the class. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The i5 eDrive40 employs one electric motor, driving the rear wheels with a substantial 335 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It sprints from a standstill to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. For some context, the entry-level Audi A6 Sportback e-tron has a maximum of 375 hp and can do the zero-to-60-mph dash in 5.2 seconds.

The xDrive40 adds another electric motor to drive the front axle, making a total of 389 hp and 435 lb-ft of torque. It will get up to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. For reference, the all-wheel-drive version of the A6 Sportback e-tron develops 456 hp and does it in 4.3 seconds.

At the top of the entire 5 Series lineup stands the i5 M60, with two electric motors, all-wheel drive, plus a considerable 590 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque. The M60 hits 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, which is fabulously fast.

The i5 M60 has an adaptive suspension as standard, for a broad spectrum of comfort and sport settings. It also has rear-wheel steering (which BMW calls Integral Active Steering) helping the car track through fast corners in a spectacular manner. That said, this doesn’t feel exactly like the kind of M car we’ve grown to know and love. The steering turns the front wheels, but there’s no sensation of a real connection. The wheel also feels slightly too thick for our tastes. While we’re on this negative trail, the front sport seats didn’t feel that comfortable to us. But we’re prepared to give BMW the benefit of the doubt because they might prove to be supportive over a longer drive.

Overall, though, the i5 is smooth, silent, and fast. Even the famed BMW 50:50 weight distribution (for a great balanced feel) makes it into every i5. It also has some smart technology to help the driver, like keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front, even when adaptive cruise control isn’t activated. After a while, we felt the cooling system in the driver’s seat switch itself on. And all it takes is a voice command to perform various functions. We said, “Hey, BMW, activate massaging for the driver’s seat” and it happened straight away.

We looked for steering-wheel paddles to change levels of brake regeneration, but just found a Boost paddle instead, so that was a different kind of fun. We discovered that the key to one-pedal driving — where speeding up and slowing down is done just by how much pressure is on the accelerator, with the brakes only being used for more urgent halts — is to put the shifter into B mode.

Range and Charging

The i5 eDrive40 has a maximum range of 310 miles (up from 295) on 19-inch wheels. That’s good, even if it’s not breaking any boundaries. By comparison, the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron stretches 392 miles, while the Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan runs for 308 miles.

The 2026 i5 xDrive40 is rated at 278 miles (up from 266). We will update this section with the i5 M60’s range when the information becomes available. The 2025 model has a 253-mile range.

Another important aspect of an electric car is how fast it can charge. The metric here is taking the battery from 10% capacity to 80% using a DC fast charger. BMW says the i5 performs this task in 30 minutes. The Audi A6 Sportback e-tron can be nine minutes down the road when an i5 driver unhooks the charging cable. However, this is still acceptable in the present state of electric vehicle (EV) technology.

Veganza is not some promotion at Whole Foods, but the name of a vegan-friendly simulated (and perforated) leather used on the seats, door panels, and even the steering wheel. The real stuff is available as an option.

The i5 doesn’t have conventional air vents either. BMW calls them seam vents and they’re extremely low-profile, in a line going across the dash. Overall, the i5’s cabin has high-quality materials and a restrained design that adds to the classiness. It also offers typical BMW extras like glass controls (which may not be everyone’s idea of tasteful), a Panoramic Sky Lounge roof, and powered shades for the rear windows.

Sitting up front, we really like the cushioned areas right where we’d rest our elbows. And rear passenger space is absolutely fine for an adult male of average size.

Trunk space is 17.3 cubic feet, a little less than the 18.4 cubic feet in the combustion-powered 5 Series (because of the i5’s battery), but generous nonetheless. The rear seats can also split and fold in 40/20/40 fashion.

BMW has its distinct design language, which could be an acquired taste for some. But we think the looks of the i5 (and the 5 Series in general) aren’t so polarizing that they would be deal-breakers. Considering how adventurous BMW has been with other vehicles, there’s something pleasantly conventional about this car — like it’s an evolution of previous 5 Series generations. There are 14 paint choices, including no-cost white, plus a couple of special Frozen finishes. One option to add a bit of glitz is an illuminated grille.

BMW Curved Display
Every new i5 comes with this impressive one-piece unit housing a digital instrument cluster and the infotainment touchscreen.

Automatic Park Assistant
This standard self-parking feature works for both perpendicular and parallel spaces.

Interaction Bar
Spanning the dashboard’s width, this standard feature has touch-control functions for the front passenger and the ability to blend in with the cabin’s multicolored ambient lighting.

AirConsole
This video gaming platform is offered for the first time, with 15 titles available. Players use their phones as controllers. It’s one way of passing the time while the i5 recharges its battery.

Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system
Optional in the eDrive40 and xDrive40, standard in the M60, we’re big fans of B&W audio systems for their clarity and power.

Driving Assistance Professional package
We think this option is worth the investment. This bundle includes a Highway Assistant for hands-free (but not eyes-free) driving, plus evasive steering assistance, active lane-changing assistance, side collision protection, and front cross-traffic warning.

A high-voltage (400-volt) lithium-ion battery supplies the spark for the i5. Usable energy works out to 84.3 kilowatt-hours (kWh). The battery fits under the floor, so there’s the same amount of passenger space in every 5 Series model, electric or not.

BMW’s electric motors are designed so they don’t require rare elements like cobalt (that would usually go into magnets). That’s another little detail that might work in the i5’s favor.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

BMW’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties both last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among European luxury car makers. The lithium-ion battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. There’s also roadside assistance for the first four years, with unlimited mileage.

Safety Ratings

The i5 hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the Untied States, but it did receive a maximum five stars from Euro NCAP. Standard safety equipment includes forward collision mitigation with left turn warning, Active Blind Spot Detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assistance.