2027 BMW i5MotorTrendA handsomely proportioned EVMixes sportiness and comfortHigh-tech, spacious cabinComplex infotainmentSome rivals charge fasterHalf-baked i5 M60Rather than reinventing the 5 Series for an electrifying world, BMW draped the form of its midsize luxury sedan over battery-powered underpinnings. That means the 2027 BMW i5 is identical to the gas-powered 5er and is every bit as worthy of wearing the automaker's Roundel emblem.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor 2027, the BMW i5 carries over mostly unchanged as it continues to compete against other midsize luxury EVs like the Audi A6 E-Tron, Lucid Air, and Mercedes-Benz EQE-Class.What's NewThe 2027 BMW i5 carries over unchanged with one notable exception: A North American Charging System (NACS) port is now standard across the entire lineup. That means the i5 is natively compatible with the Tesla Supercharger network.What We ThinkEvery version of the 2027 BMW 5 Series shares the same design, but the experience of driving the all-electric i5 is totally unique from the gas-powered models. Smooth, linear acceleration is at the core of the 2027 BMW i5's offering, supplemented by impressive technology and sumptuous luxury. Inside the cabin, materials are excellent, and there's ample room for passengers in both rows.Although we praise BMW for its success applying its 5 Series formula to an EV, it isn't perfect. The German automaker has improved the i5's efficiency since it was first introduced for 2024, but charging speeds still trail the competition. And although the electric sedan's infotainment displays impress with their resolution and graphics, the myriad menus within the screens can be tough to navigate.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs for the 2027 BMW i5 M60, this performance-oriented model is blisteringly quick and can even put together a decent lap around a test track. It's a heavy car, however, like all i5 variants, so the M60 exhibits noticeable body roll, and its grip falls off after being driven with enthusiasm.All told, our affection for the i5 far outweighs our complaints. The electric sedan is quiet, comfortable, and agile enough to deserve its BMW badge. What's more, the addition of a NACS port for 2027 makes this sedan an even better pick for those choosing to go electric. In a competitive market of ever-improving EVs, the 2027 BMW i5 is a well-rounded pick.Top-Ranked Competitors:Audi A6 E-TronLucid AirMercedes-Benz EQE-ClassPorsche TaycanMotorTrend TestedThe 2027 BMW i5 comes in three variants, starting with the base model i5 eDrive40. This entry-level version of the electric luxury sedan uses just one motor driving the rear wheels. It develops 335 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.AdvertisementAdvertisementUsing BMW's Sport Boost feature gives an extra squirt of torque for a total of 317 lb-ft. In MotorTrend testing, the single motor i5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.BMW positions the 2027 i5 xDrive40 as the middle child of its midsize EV lineup. This variant receives a second motor that drives the front wheels for a total output of 389 hp and 435 lb-ft of torque. According to BMW, the i5 xDrive40 launches from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.At the top of the 2027 BMW i5 lineup, there's the M60 model. Serving as the highest-performance i5, the M60 uses two motors to produce a combined 590 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque. Sport Boost takes the twist up to 605 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration times plummet for the i5 M60, dropping to just 3.4 seconds.Most versions of the 2027 BMW i5 are quicker than their rivals from Mercedes-Benz. The entry-level Mercedes-Benz EQE320+ uses a single motor to propel itself from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The dual-motor EQE320 4Matic gets the job done in 5.2 seconds. Only the Mercedes-AMG EQE beats the comparable BMW i5 M60; the souped-up Merc crushes the 0–60-mph sprint in just 2.9 seconds.EV Range and ChargingAll three versions of the 2027 BMW i5 get the same battery pack, which has a capacity of 84.3 kWh. As such, the entire lineup charges at 11 kW using AC power and up to 205 kW using a DC fast charger. Charging from 10 to 80 percent takes as little as 30 minutes, which is quick but not as quick as the Audi A6 E-Tron. Audi's midsize EV charges from 10 to 80 percent in just 21 minutes.AdvertisementAdvertisementMost versions of the 2027 BMW i5 have less than 300 miles of range. The exception is the base eDrive40 model when it rolls on 19-inch wheels. Equipped in this way, the midsize sedan is good for 328 miles of range. With 20-inch wheels that figure drops to 299 miles, and on 21-inch wheels it falls to 280 miles.The xDrive40 model can drive 278 miles on the standard 19-inch wheels, 273 miles on 20-inch wheels, and 262 miles on the larger 21-inch wheel option. EPA ratings for the 2027 BMW i5 M60 aren't available just yet, but 2026 figures indicate that it can drive up to 277 miles on 19-inch wheels, 266 miles on 20-inch wheels, and 259 miles on 21-inch wheels.All versions of the Audi A6 E-Tron are capable of driving over 300 miles of range. The A6 E-Tron Ultra gets the best mileage, at 395 miles, while the S6 E-Tron gets the lowest range, at 311 miles.Safety Ratings and FeaturesAlthough the 2027 BMW i5 has not been rated by IIHS, the 2026 BMW 5 Series gets top scores of Good in all categories evaluated. BMW equips the i5 with most of the basic active safety tech shoppers expect from a vehicle in this segment, but some desirable features are squirreled away in options packages.Standard FeaturesStandard equipment for the 2027 BMW i5 includes rear automatic emergency braking, intersection collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and lane keep assist.Available FeaturesSome features that are borderline essential are reserved for options packages. Adaptive cruise control is included in the Premium or Executive packages. Ticking the box for BMW's Driving Assistance Professional package adds hands-free driving assist. Equipping this feature enables hands-free lane changes, which you can initiate by clicking the turn signal or glancing at one of the side mirrors.Cargo Space and Interior RoomTo get the 2027 BMW i5 to look just like the gas-powered 5 Series, some interior space had to be compromised. Second row legroom falls short of rivals, but cargo space should be ample for most.TechnologyInfotainmentTech is a strength of the 2027 BMW i5. All models receive a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. These displays run BMW's Operating system 8.5. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the entire i5 range.AdvertisementAdvertisementBMW's AirConsole platform allows occupants to play video games, a boon for those waiting for a 30-minute charging session to end. To keep devices juiced up, the i5 comes standard with a wireless charging pad and a plethora of USB-C ports. BMW's "interaction bar," a lighting strip with a crystalline appearance spanning the dash, alerts you of incoming calls and driver assistance warnings with illuminated alerts.Sound SystemA 12-speaker audio system from Harman Kardon is the standard offering on the 2027 BMW i5. There's also an 18-speaker setup from Bowers and Wilkins that's available as an option on eDrive40 and xDrive40 models. The M60 gets the top-level sound system as standard equipment.Available UpgradesOther optional equipment includes a head-up display, an interior camera, and a 360-degree camera view.ValueStandard FeaturesThe entry-level 2027 BMW i5 eDrive40 comes with a single motor driving the rear wheels. It rolls on 19-inch wheels and sports satin aluminum exterior trim. Inside the cabin, BMW decks out the most basic i5's interior with perforated Veganza synthetic leather upholstery and makes either ash or oak wood trim standard. The 2027 BMW i5 eDrive40 starts under $69,000.Recommended TrimEven though the 2027 BMW i5 xDrive40 starts under $72,000, the middle child isn't our favorite pick of the electric sedan's lineup. It offers more performance than the entry-level eDrive40 variant, but its range plummets from 328 miles to just 278 miles, even when rolling on the most efficient 19-inch wheels.AdvertisementAdvertisementWe've found the rear-wheel-drive i5 to be quick and nimble enough without an extra motor over the front axle, so you can take the $3,000 of savings and put the money toward options.
