Fleet Overview: BMW i5 Electrical Sedan – FleetTakes
The most recent model of the 5 Sequence has grown in each dimension from the earlier mannequin years.
The all-electric BMW i5 is a “select your journey” machine. Is it a tech-laden spaceship or a premium household driver? Is it a efficiency car or a enterprise sedan with government presence? Examine all 4 bins.
On the identical time, the i5 is an electrical extension of the enduring 5 Sequence — identical platform, identical athletic pores and skin, new guts. For fleet drivers acquainted with the gasoline model, which has been on selector lists for the reason that luxurious model entered the North American fleet market in 2011, the i5 will assist ease the transition to electrical.
BMW i5 Dimensions, Efficiency, Battery & Charging
The i5 is a rear-wheel-drive, midsize luxurious electrical sedan that, on BMW’s electrical spectrum, slots between the i4 and i7 fashions. Now in its eighth technology, the 5 Sequence grew in size, width, peak, and wheelbase, with the most important benefactor being added head and leg room within the rear seats.
The inside volumes of the gasoline and electrical variations are practically similar, although the ICE fashions have 18.4 cu. ft. of cargo quantity in comparison with 17.3 cu. ft. for the i5 — which remains to be fairly good for the section.
The center of the i5 is its rear-mounted 81.2-kWh battery, which is nice for a high vary of 295 miles within the single-motor eDrive40. That compares to the typical high vary of electrical luxurious sedans, which is about 300 miles.
My take a look at mannequin had bigger 20-inch wheels, which knocked the vary all the way down to 278 miles. (Sure, wheel dimension issues when spec’ing EVs for vary.) In my month-long take a look at I averaged 3.2 miles per kWh with out “hypermiling,” which delivered a real-world vary of 270 miles.
The BMW i5 charger has a most AC charging price of 11 kW. That can cost the battery from 0% to 100% on AC in about 8.25 hours, permitting fleet drivers to plug in at evening and entry the automotive’s full vary by the morning.
The i5 accommodates a high pace of 205 kW when DC quick charging, which might juice the i5 from 10% to 80% in about half-hour.
The i5 eDrive40 generates 335 hp and 295 lb.-ft of torque. The 0-60 time for the single-motor mannequin is 5.7 seconds, which is on the sluggish finish of the luxurious automotive pace spectrum.
From a pure price perspective, commerce pace for vary and a cheaper price — and the peace of thoughts that your drivers received’t really feel the necessity to problem a Tesla Mannequin X Plaid on the freeway. For energy on the fly, drivers can pull the enhance paddle by the steering wheel to maximise torque for as much as 10 seconds.
When you’re at the least curious concerning the i5 M60’s efficiency, it does 0 to 60 within the three-second vary. Nevertheless, the vary is dampened to about 240 miles, and also you’ll spend an additional $18,000 for the privilege.
The i5 is a rear-wheel-drive, midsize luxurious electrical sedan that slots between the i4 and i7 fashions.
BMW i5 Inside & Controls
Settling behind the wheel evokes a techy spaceship vibe in comparison with BMW’s luxurious opponents, which set a extra subdued inside tone.
Drivers will instantly discover the inside gentle present, courtesy of the skinny “interplay bar” of ambient lighting that runs the size of the entrance inside and can be discovered within the doorways.
The automotive’s digital world is accessed by the now-famous BMW Curved Show, which begins behind the steering wheel and extends throughout the dashboard to the passenger aspect.
System capabilities reminiscent of audio, navigation, ambient temperature, and quite a few apps (Bundesliga, anybody?) might be accessed by touching the 14.9-inch fundamental display, utilizing the iDrive controller wheel within the heart stack or steering wheel controls, or through voice.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are commonplace.
BMW’s voice-activated controls are managed by the BMW Clever Private Assistant. It’s not but AI, however you will get deep with questions reminiscent of “defrost windshield,” “open the rear window midway,” “discover parking,” and “seek for a café alongside the route.”
Determining the controls the primary time might be intimidating, partly as a result of they’re endlessly configurable, from the ambient lighting to the artificial acceleration soundtrack. Don’t want the doubtful “uneven highway floor” within the head-up show? Do away with it.
As soon as educated, drivers can create and wrap themselves in their very own atmosphere.
BMW i5 Pricing & Economics
The i5 begins at $66,800 MSRP, whereas gas-powered 503i fashions begin at $57,900. A few of that $8,900 differential might be made up in working price financial savings for the i5.
My take a look at mannequin prices $75,945, which incorporates the Driving Help Professional Package deal ($2,000), the Premium Package deal ($2,350), and the M Sport Package deal ($3,000).
Fleet patrons might handle with none of the packages. Driving Help provides BMW’s Energetic Driving Assistant Professional, a set of semi-autonomous driving aids. The system may also carry out automated lane modifications that may be initiated by trying within the aspect mirror (!).
The Premium Package deal provides a heated steering wheel, inside digicam, LED lights with cornering capacity, and Parking Assistant Plus.
Fleets ought to keep away from the M Sport Package deal, which principally contains look upgrades. The M Sport bundle lowers floor clearance to five.4 inches, which isn’t rather more than the supercars that must child a pace bump.
The EPA calculates a complete electrical energy expense of $750 yearly for the i5 when pushed 15,000 miles. In comparison with a gasoline expense of $2,150 to $2,300 for the ICE model, the i5 will preserve as much as $1,500 yearly.
Three lube, oil, and filter modifications per 12 months will run about $450 whole on a 5 Sequence. (“I like taking outing of my day for oil modifications,” stated nobody, ever.)
On paper, the i5 might return $6,000 of that $8,900 hole in comparison with the gasoline model after a 36-month lease. Depreciation on any EV remains to be the most important unknown.
The centerpiece of the BMW i5’s inside is the Curved Show.
BMW i5 Ultimate Ideas for Fleets
Whereas the 5 Sequence historically balances sport and luxurious on the midsize luxurious sedan stage, the mannequin line now electrifies that equation.
Whereas a lot consideration within the EV house has gone to crossovers — just like the gas-powered market general — the i5 sits proudly within the sedan class. It’s a good selection as an award car and for government fleets and may attraction to a youthful management-level demographic.
Company fleets are pushing forward to fulfill their self-imposed ESG mandates and sustainability objectives regardless of the current disruption within the EV market. The i5 affords a straightforward transition in that regard.
Many Flavors of BMW 5 Sequence for 2025-MY
- 530i:ICE engine, 4-cylinder, $57,900 base MSRP
- 530i xDrive: ICE engine, 4-cylinder, AWD, $60,200
- 540i xDrive: ICE engine, 6-cylinder, AWD, $71,095
- M5: ICE engine, 8-cylinder, PHEV, $119,500
- i5: eDrive40 electrical, single motor, $66,800
- i5: M60 xDrive, electrical, twin motor, $84,100
- i5 xDrive40: electrical, single motor AWD (new for 2025)
- 550 e xDrive: PHEV (new for 2025)
