2024 BMW i5: What We Know So Far

The battery-powered 5 Series will arrive in dealer showrooms this fall.

Drew Johnson | 

Jun 8, 2023 | 3 min read

Capital One

BMW expands its line of electric vehicles with a battery-powered version of the 5 Series midsize sedan for the 2024 model year. When it hits dealer showrooms in fall 2023, the i5 EV will slot between the compact i4 and the full-size i7 in BMW's growing electric sedan lineup.

BMW also offers the iX electric crossover, and it will sell gasoline-fueled versions of the 5 Series.

BMW

2024 BMW i5: Two Models and Plenty of Boost

BMW will offer two distinct models within the i5 range — the rear-wheel-drive i5 eDrive40 and the all-wheel-drive i5 M60 xDrive.

The i5 eDrive40 features a rear-mounted electric motor that produces 335 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and up to 317 lb-ft of torque can be unlocked using the sedan's Sport Boost or Launch Control functions. The i5 eDrive40 is electronically limited to a top speed of 120 mph, according to BMW, and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The all-wheel-drive i5 M60 xDrive uses the same rear motor as the eDrive40 but adds a second, 257-hp electric motor at the front axle to bring the maximum system output to 590 horsepower and 549 lb-ft of torque. The torque increases to 605 lb-ft when using the M60 xDrive's M Sport Boost and M Launch Control functions, allowing the sedan to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. When equipped with performance tires, the M60 xDrive maxes out at 143 mph. Opting for all-season tires drops that figure to 130 mph.

BMW

Both versions of the i5 use an 84.3-kWh battery pack. BMW estimates that the i5 eDrive40 will be able to cover up to 295 miles on a single charge, while the high-performance i5 M60 xDrive will run out of juice after about 256 miles.

The i5 is capable of DC fast charging at up to 205 kW, and drivers will also have the option of higher-rate Level 2 AC charging up to 11 kW. When hooked to the faster charging source, BMW claims the i5's battery pack can go from 10 to 80 percent charged in about 30 minutes. The i5 comes with two years of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America DC fast-charging locations.

BMW

Classic meets modern in the BMW i5

The i5 shares its styling with the all-new 5 Series. Both versions of the sedan feature BMW's "shark nose" front-end styling that includes twin LED headlamps and a revised version of the automaker's signature kidney grilles that can now be optioned with illumination.

The i5 uses a classic three-box design with a long hood and short decklid. BMW's Hofmeister kink, a design feature of the rear side windows named after the design chief who created it, now features an embossed "5" graphic. Rear lighting is provided by L-shaped LEDs. Compared with the previous model, the 2024 5-Series' overall length has increased by 3.4 inches, and the vehicle's height and width are both up by about an inch.

BMW

The interior of the i5 is highlighted by a curved display consisting of a 12.3-inch gauge display and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen running the latest version of BMW's iDrive. To make the most of that digital real estate, BMW has introduced a new AirConsole gaming system that uses a player's smartphone as the controller. About 20 games will be available at launch, and BMW says it will continually expand its gaming catalog.

All i5 models ship standard with touch-sensitive controls for things such as ventilation and air conditioning.

BMW

BMW i5 Pricing Starts at $68,000

Pricing for the i5 eDrive40 will start at around $68,000, while the step-up i5 M60 xDrive will list for about $85,000. Both i5 models arrive in dealer showrooms in October 2023.

Drew Johnson

I have been a professional automotive enthusiast since 2007, featured on several nationally-recognized sites. I attended Miami University, where I earned a business degree. Car nut at heart.