Overview
We’ve long been privy to BMW’s plans for a battery-electric vehicle dubbed the i5 and now, thanks to our sources, we know that it’s expected to debut for the 2025 model year alongside the next-generation 5-series and M5 sedans. Details regarding the i5 are still sparse, but if BMW is able to match what it accomplished with the 10Best award-winning i4 sedan, then consider us excited. The mid-size i5 will likely will offer single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive layouts. Given that it will likely be heavier than the outgoing M5, it’s reasonable to expect power outputs to exceed the 600-horsepower mark. Beyond that, a widebody i5 M is also rumored to be in the works and could offer as much as 1136 horsepower along with a host of high-performance driving tech. We’ll update this page with more info and specs as they emerge.
What’s New for 2025?
When it arrives, the electric i5 will be an entirely new model, and will likely be to the 5-series what the i4 is to the 4-series: similar on the outside, totally different underneath. We expect its mechanical hardware and electrical architecture to be similar to the i4’s, but with even more refinement and power.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
eDrive40
$62,000 (est)
M50
$80,000 (est)
M70
$96,000 (est)
The anticipated trim-level structure for the BMW i5 includes a base eDrive 40 rear-drive model and M50 and M70 all-wheel drive versions with more and even more power. An all-wheel-drive version of the 40 should also be available. The 40s will offer more efficiency than performance, the M50 should strike a happy medium between range and speediness, and the range-topping M70 model will offer impressive performance. That top-line model is expected to feature elevated equipment and functionality, including faster charge times, active steering, larger 21-inch wheels, suspension tweaks, and a sportier M-car cosmetic treatment. But if you’re after an i5 with superhero speed, a full-on i5 M (yes, BMW seems intent on confusing us with its badging strategy) is under development. That would be the electric equivalent of an M5, and will no doubt be a road burner.
As more information becomes available, we’ll update this story with more details about:
- EV Motor, Power, and Performance
- Range, Charging, and Battery Life
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
- Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
- Infotainment and Connectivity
- Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
