2025 BMW i5

Is the 2025 BMW i5 a Good Car?

"Well, it ain't pretty, but this electrified version of BMW's venerable 5 Series has just about everything else you'd want in a premium electric sedan, including a cosseting ride, contemporary technology and a seemingly endless array of features and options. Unfortunately, the one thing it doesn't have is important to many shoppers: 300 miles of range. The i5 comes close to that threshold in standard rear-drive form, but if you want dual-motor performance (or even just all-weather peace of mind), the range is going to take a big hit. This is a very nice luxury sedan, but the smaller BMW i4 is a more impressive EV, in our view."—Ranked #5 out of 7 Midsize Luxury Electric Cars

Which 2025 BMW i5 Should I Buy?

MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 BMW i5 that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.

1. 2025 BMW i5 eDrive40 (Single Motor RWD)

• Base Price: $67,100
• Range: 295 mi
• Battery Capacity: 84.3 kWh
• Peak Charge Rate: 205 kW
• Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
• Engine: 1 electric motor
• Horsepower: 335 
• Torque: 295 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 5.7 sec
• Weight: 4,916 lbs
• Length: 199.2 in

The i5 is a competitive EV offering even in entry-level form, thanks to a powerful electric motor and respectable range. Stick with the base 18-inch wheels, though, unless you want to pay more for less range — the 19s drop the range estimate to 278 miles, while the 20s fall further to 271 miles.

2. 2025 BMW i5 xDrive40 (Dual Motor AWD)

• Base Price: $70,100
• Range: 266 mi
• Battery Capacity: 84.3 kWh
• Peak Charge Rate: 205 kW
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2 electric motors
• Horsepower: 389 
• Torque: 435 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 5.2 sec
• Weight: 5,187 lbs
• Length: 199.2 in

The i5 xDrive40 seems like a great idea in theory — adding a second motor to provide an all-wheel-drive option below the bonkers i5 M60 — but that second motor really takes a bite out of the range, and it only improves the sprint to 60 mph by half a second. At least the optional 20-inch wheels only cost you an additional four miles of range, in case you like the way they look. Adding the 21s is no bueno, though, as the range drops to 248 miles.

3. 2025 BMW i5 M60 (Dual Motor AWD)

• Base Price: $84,100
• Range: 253 mi
• Battery Capacity: 84.3 kWh
• Peak Charge Rate: 205 kW
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2 electric motors
• Horsepower: 593 
• Torque: 586 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 3.7 sec
• Weight: 5,247 lbs
• Length: 199.2 in

The all-wheel-drive i5 xDrive40 will be plenty quick for most folks, but the M60 takes the i5's acceleration straight to bonkersville. It's a thrill ride that might prove irresistible, although the price premium is nothing to sneeze at. Naturally, there's a range penalty, too — that's how EVs work. The more power the motors put out, the less efficient they get. In this case, you top out at a humble 253 miles of range with the 19-inch wheels, and if you upgrade to the 21s, that drops to 239 miles. We'd shoot for the 20s, as they only cost you three miles of range while improving the car's appearance noticeably.