“The BMW i5 xDrive40 is not designed to look weird or gimmicky like some EVS, and that is a key attraction to discerning buyers who fit the buyer profile for the brand.”
By Veeno Dewan
The 2025 BMW i5 xDrive40 is a classic mid-size four-door sedan, the latest addition to the venerable 5 -Series cars. Arriving as an EV with all-battery power, the i5 is a little conservatively styled and executed.
It may not be all flashy and “out there” visually, but it exudes class and prestige and is one of the most comfortable ways to get around. The i5 side profile is pleasing, and the design proportions are excellent. Unlike some recent BMWs, the classic twin-kidney grille has not been made to look awkward, too big, and ungainly. The rear tail lights are slim and understated, and the upper greenhouse flows nicely into a pleasing side profile. This is a fine-looking premium car from any angle.
In 2026, two trim levels will be offered in Canada: the BMW i5 xDrive40, a fully Electric vehicle (EV), and the sportier BMW M60. Both offer two-motor power and all-wheel drive.
“The BMW i5 xDrive40 is a special car, and this new EV version makes a lot of sense if you like the idea of a refined, tasteful EV sedan with real class and pedigree. This is a superbly comfortable and relaxing car to drive.”
The i5 xDrive40’s twin motors deliver 389 hp and 435 lb-ft of torque, and it can reach 100 km/h from a standing start in just 5.4 seconds.
The i5 M60, meanwhile, offers a faster 0-110kph dash in a scant 3.8 seconds. According to BMW, the i5 xDrive40 should travel 428 km when its 84.3-kWh battery is fully charged.
The BMW i5 is standard, with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear air suspension, and more. However, as usual, BMW extra options offered in many packages and trim lines can and will bump the base prices rather steeply.
Interior-wise, like current BMWs, the styling, trim, and cabin ambiance are dramatic. The dash and door panels have LED light strips for mood effects, and an interesting illuminated prismatic mosaic-like effect on some surfaces is really cool. Quality, fit, and finish are as expected – superb.
The dash in the i5 xDrive40 comprises a nicely executed curved display comprising a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 14.9-inch digital instrument cluster. In addition, a head-up display is projected on the windshield. The infotainment system can also be operated with simple gesture controls. The novel mood mode feature adjusts the cabin lighting and soundscape to match one of a driver’s selectable settings. It may sound gimmicky, but tech-savvy owners will like how you can adjust the ambient lighting, modulate throttle response and engine sound, adjust seats, and many other functions. The “mood concept” is at play here so the driver can tailor their sensory environment in the cabin. Relax mode, for example, when adjusting the lighting and seat padding and adding background spa music!
The car’s comfort is exemplary, with big, wide, well-cushioned front and rear seats and plentiful headroom and legroom. The rear bench seat can comfortably accommodate two adults. The electric battery pack slightly compromises the rear trunk, but it still offers 490 L of space.
The BMW i5 is also loaded with advanced safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and keeping assistance, collision warnings and avoidance, parking distance control, a multitude of cameras, and much more. It also comes with a plethora of driver assistance aids, including a hands-free system that prompts or suggests lane changes that a driver can initiate by looking at the side mirror closest to the appropriate lane.
To sum up, the BMW i5 xDrive40 is a particular car, and this new EV version makes sense if you like the idea of a refined, tasteful EV sedan with real class and pedigree. This is a superbly comfortable and relaxing car to drive. However, performance buyers may want to look at the i5 M60 variant for more thrills. A significant plus is that the i5 xDrive40 does not look weird or gimmicky like some EVS, and that is a crucial attraction to discerning buyers who fit the buyer profile. The i5 xDrive40 has a starting price of $83,700 plus options, fees, and taxes.
