Electric Premium Sedan of the Year
BMW i5 Electric
BMW’s 5 Series has always been known as the sporty executive saloon, and in i5 form, it’s arguably even more polished than ever. Its muscular looks and illuminated grille turn heads, but what the driver will really enjoy is the electric motor’s 335bhp and 400Nm, which can zip the i5 from rest to 100km/h in six seconds. Performance and agile handling aside, the swanky cockpit wows with its luxurious build quality and plush Veganza leather.
Special Features
Reviews
 
With its remarkable performance, low-key sophistication, and advanced tech, the BMW i5 carries the heritage of the 5 Series into the era of electrification. The car's slightly lower price and more traditional sense of style give it an edge and help it earn my love for it. No other EV in its class puts it all together quite as well.
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I have always been resistant to the switch to ice but a short test drive with the new i5 is enough to convert you.The drive is simply smooth and comfortable compared to other EVs with the bonus of being extra quiet if you are comaring to ICE cars. You can tell the engineers spent time in tuning the acceleration and blended regen/brakes.If you have a charger at home/office and has no range axiety (Aside from trips to KL and beyond, definitely take a look at this. Even if you are just looking at ICE cars, do yourself a favor and test drive the i5 before putting down your hard earned money.In fact I would say this is easily the most comfortable and refined EV out there right now (i7 aside) and I have tested the 2024 i4, i4M50, Tesla M3, M3P. You really have to test drive this to understand the difference as it cannot be put in words.
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Verdict
It's not easy being a carmaker today, and the task is even greater and more difficult when you're a luxury brand, because expectations rise even higher. And when the model in question is one that has been around for several generations, that's when things become truly complicated.

But it's circumstances like these that result in a car like the BMW i5, an electric executive sedan that quite simply, exceeds expectations. The i5 is a handsome car, with the monolithic styling serving up a good mix of curves and angles to reflect its athletic character.

Step inside and you'll find BMW's Curved Display, now powered by OS 8.5, which is even more intuitive than the previous version. The illuminated Interaction Bar, first seen on the current 7 Series, also makes a welcome appearance here.

The rear occupants haven't been forgotten. With the wheelbase having grown another 20mm, there's more legroom in the backseat. The Veganza (non-animal) leather also deserves to be mentioned, for it is both plush and premium - most folks won't be able to tell the difference between it and conventional leather.

The i5's true talent though, is pleasing the driver. The eDrive40 powertrain here delivers a stout 335bhp and 400Nm of torque, both of which are silkily delivered to the rear wheels. It's effortless to drive and carves through corners with ease, serving up that BMW-ness that fans love.

It's luxurious, powerful, and handles well, and its electric powertrain has given it refinement, too. The polished i5 truly deserves the award for Electric Premium Sedan of the Year.