The 2024 BMW i5: When High Expectations Meet Reality
5 min read
BMW’s electric sedan streak hits a speed bump
Sometimes in the automotive world, lightning strikes twice. BMW proved this with their electric sedan program, delivering back-to-back hits with the i4 (which nearly won Car of the Year) and the luxurious i7 that wowed judges with its baller back-seat entertainment system. So when the 2024 BMW i5 rolled up to Motor Trend’s Car of the Year testing, expectations were sky-high. After all, this was BMW’s electric 5 Series – the bread and butter of their sedan lineup, now electrified.
But sometimes, even the most successful formulas don’t translate perfectly. The i5’s story is one of impressive numbers that somehow don’t add up to the magic its siblings delivered.
The Setup That Should Have Worked
On paper, BMW followed the same playbook that made the i4 and i7 such successes. The i5 launched with two compelling variants: the eDrive40 with 335 horsepower and rear-wheel drive starting at $68,275, and the performance-focused M60 xDrive pumping out 593 horsepower through all four wheels for $77,625.
Both models pack the same 84.3-kWh battery that charges impressively fast – Motor Trend recorded speeds up to 215 kW from high-speed chargers. Range-wise, both variants essentially hit their EPA estimates in real-world testing, making them practical for long-distance travel.
The interior continues BMW’s tech-forward approach with the latest iDrive 8.5 system and that distinctive curved display that flows across the dashboard like a digital waterfall. The cabin appointments scream premium, with materials and build quality befitting a luxury sedan in this price range.
When Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Here’s where things get interesting – and not in a good way. The performance figures are genuinely impressive. The M60’s 3.4-second sprint to 60 mph made it the second-quickest car in the entire Car of the Year field, trailing only the Porsche Taycan. Even the “base” eDrive40 hits 60 mph in a respectable 5.1 seconds.
But impressive acceleration times don’t automatically translate to driving joy, and that’s where the i5 stumbled.
The M60 Problem
The M60 variant became the poster child for everything that went wrong with the i5’s execution. Despite its monster power output, judges found it to be a one-trick pony that couldn’t handle its own capabilities.
“The M60 is entertaining enough but fairly one note,” observed features editor Christian Seabaugh. “The car seems to struggle with roll control.” Deputy editor Alexander Stoklosa was even more blunt: “It has stupid power and is stupid quick, but it’s also too quick for its doughy suspension setup.”
Think about that for a moment. BMW created a 593-horsepower electric sedan that’s too fast for its own suspension. It’s like putting a Formula 1 engine in a pickup truck – technically impressive but fundamentally unbalanced. The M60 can embarrass supercars in a straight line, but when the road starts to curve, that “doughy suspension” becomes a liability rather than an asset.
The Identity Crisis
The i5’s problems run deeper than just suspension tuning. Judges noted a sense of confusion in the interior design – a lack of cohesive theme among the various materials and finishes. While some praised it as handsome and luxurious, others found it discombobulated, as if different teams designed different parts without talking to each other.
Then there’s the iDrive 8.5 infotainment system, which should have been a highlight given BMW’s usual excellence in this area. Instead, it “didn’t generate a lot of warm and fuzzies from editors.” In a world where Tesla has shown how intuitive electric car interfaces can be, a confusing infotainment system is a cardinal sin.
The Bright Spot: eDrive40
Interestingly, most judges preferred the less powerful eDrive40 variant. It emerged as “the more cohesive package dynamically, more fun to drive, and a pretty solid value” at $68,275. Sometimes less really is more – the eDrive40’s more modest power output seems better matched to the chassis capabilities, creating a more balanced driving experience.
This preference tells us something important about the i5’s fundamental issue: it’s not about raw capability, it’s about execution and balance. The eDrive40 succeeds where the M60 fails because it doesn’t try to be something the platform can’t properly support.
The Competition Factor
The i5 didn’t exist in a vacuum. It faced formidable competition from the Mercedes EQE sedan, Genesis Electrified G80, and a refreshed Porsche Taycan – all offering compelling alternatives with their own strengths. In such a crowded field, being merely “good” isn’t enough when your competitors are delivering more cohesive packages.
Efficiency Reality Check
While the i5 hits its EPA range estimates, it’s not particularly efficient in terms of mpg-e ratings. For buyers considering the switch to electric, efficiency matters not just for environmental reasons but for real-world practicality and operating costs. The i5’s middling efficiency puts it at a disadvantage against more frugal competitors.
The Verdict: When Good Isn’t Good Enough
The 2024 BMW i5 isn’t a bad car – it’s just not a great one, especially when measured against BMW’s own electric sedan successes. It’s a case study in how impressive individual components don’t automatically create an impressive whole.
The i5 teaches us that in the electric vehicle space, raw power and luxury appointments aren’t enough anymore. Buyers expect – and deserve – vehicles that feel thoughtfully engineered from the ground up, not just powerful and premium.
BMW clearly has the technical capability to build outstanding electric sedans. The i4 and i7 prove that beyond doubt. But the i5 feels like a missed opportunity – a car that prioritized impressive spec sheets over cohesive driving dynamics.
Looking Forward
For BMW, the i5’s lukewarm reception should serve as a valuable lesson. Electric vehicles require different approaches to suspension tuning, weight management, and overall system integration. Raw power without proper chassis dynamics creates the automotive equivalent of expensive disappointment.
For buyers considering the i5, the eDrive40 emerges as the clear choice – assuming you can live with its efficiency limitations and infotainment complexity. The M60, despite its impressive acceleration, seems like a car that BMW’s engineers never quite figured out how to tame.
Sometimes the most important lessons come from the cars that don’t quite hit the mark. The 2024 BMW i5 reminds us that in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape, past success doesn’t guarantee future victories. Every new model is a fresh test of engineering philosophy and execution.
The i5 didn’t fly as high as its predecessors, but perhaps that’s exactly the wake-up call BMW needed.
The 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40 starts at $68,275, while the M60 xDrive begins at $77,625. Both are available at BMW dealers nationwide.
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