The 2024 BMW i5 will be delivered this fall — does it live up to expectations?

2024 BMW i5: The ultimate electric sedan arrives this fall

By James Dolan Published June 23, 2023

BMW is electrifying its lineup so it doesn’t get left behind once EVs become more popular than gas-powered cars. It started with the BMW i3, then it moved to the BMW i4, BMW iX, and BMW i7 in the North American market.

However, one of its most anticipated EV models is the all-electric 5-Series. The BMW i5 will finally be delivered by October 2023, and we’re excited about it. But does it live up to expectations like an electric BMW? Let’s take a closer look.

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BMW i5 is available in two configurations

Red BMW i5 M60 xDrive and grey BMW i5 eDrive40 parked in a white studio background. — BMW

The 2024 BMW i5 sedan is available in two trims — the i5 eDrive40 and i5 M60 xDrive. If you want incredible power, the i5 M60 xDrive comes with dual motors that can deliver up to 590 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque. In addition to that, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.7 seconds. This means that the electric i5 M60 xDrive is faster and more powerful than the gas-powered 5-Series.

On the other hand, the i5 eDrive40 is designed with a rear motor that can produce 335 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It can also accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. But despite it having less power than the i5 M60 xDrive configuration, it comes with a longer range. More specifically, the BMW i5 eDrive40 has an electric range of 295 miles, while the BMW i5 M60 xDrive can cover a distance of up to 256 miles after a full battery charge.

In-car gaming will debut in the BMW i5

BMW i5 interior on the front side — BMW

BMW will introduce a gaming platform dubbed the AirConsole on the BMW i5. If your BMW is parked, you can play video games on its 12.3-inch curved display. It’s also likely that BMW will bring VR to its future models — and that technology could be closer than we think, considering that you can change settings in your BMW i5 using hand gestures. But if gaming is not your thing, you can interact with your smartphone apps on the display using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Another cool thing about the BMW i5 is that it comes with an autonomous driving feature up to 85 mph on the highway. Besides that, you can engage the driver assistant to automatically change lanes, reverse, and park.

How much does it cost? The BMW i5 eDrive40 starts at $68,800, while the i5 M60 xDrive trim starts at $85,750. Unfortunately, the BMW i5 won’t be eligible for the EV tax credit.

Topics

EVs

Contributor

James Dolan is an automotive writer with extensive work experience having been published on The Drive, Hot Cars, Green…

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The all-electric 2024 Honda Prologue is finally here with up to 300 miles of range

Our range anxiety is vanishing

2024 Honda Prologue

Honda is finally bringing its first electric vehicle to the United States, dubbed the 2024 Honda Prologue. Technically, the Honda Clarity was Honda's first EV in the U.S., but that doesn't count since it’s powered by hydrogen and was only offered on a lease.

The Honda Prologue is an all-electric SUV that looks like the bigger version of the Honda-E but with a modern and sporty design that appears more aggressive. In fact, it’s slightly longer and bigger than the Honda CR-V but almost the same size as the Honda Passport. However, its overhang is shorter compared to the Passport.
All about the Honda Prologue EV
How far can it travel on a fully charged battery? Honda says the Prologue is anticipated to have a range of up to 300 miles with a battery capacity of 85 kWh. Interestingly, the Honda Prologue is built on GM’s Ultium EV platform, and it comes with the same range as the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV. Besides that, it can also charge almost as fast as the Chevy Equinox EV by adding 65 miles in just 10 minutes at a DC fast charger. Just like GM, you may have to wait until 2025 for Honda to fully adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) — but you can still access the Tesla Supercharger network using an adapter.

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First look: 5 of the new BMW i7 M70’s coolest features

It's like a high-speed mansion

BMW i7 M70 xDrive

Last year, BMW unveiled the i7 -- a high-end, luxury, electric vehicle offering exquisite comfort in the back and high-end performance in the front. But some fans noticed something was missing. There wasn’t a “Motorsport” edition, so those looking for peak performance coupled with some iconic style touches may have felt like they were missing out. Fast forward to 2023, and the German automaker has rectified that problem.

If you have at least $168,500 available, you can get your hands on the BMW i7 M70 xDrive -- an all-electric, all-wheel-drive powerhouse. Like its basic BMW 7 Series brethren, the i7 M70 is capable of cruising along the highway smoothly in all conditions, allowing those inside to drink in the luxury touches on offer. Equally, you can put your foot down and take off at speeds you would expect from a small, supercharged Italian sports coupe.

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BMW i5 first drive: The BMW 5 series goes fully electric (and we go hands-on)

Familiar form factor and a new electric drivetrain

BMW i5 front view

As with many other manufacturers, BMW feels the future is electric and is in the process of electrifying its entire offering. Following on from the i3 and the i7, the latest Bimmer to get the EV treatment is the highly popular BMW 5 series. And everything has gone pretty much as you would expect.

The rear-wheel drive i5 is a quick and punchy vehicle. Unlike previous gas-powered 5 series models, the phenomenal amount of torque generated by the i5's electric motor keeps the sedan pinned to the road at almost any speed. If the standard vehicle and its sub-6 second 0-60 times aren't enough for you, you can even opt for an M-package right out of the gate, adding a second motor, boosting power, and bringing all-wheel drive ("xDrive" in BMW parlance) into the mix. The M version has been named the M60 xDrive, nodding toward its four-wheel capability, while the basic electric model is the eDrive40.