BMW’s 5 Series has always been the brand’s sweet spot: practical enough for a family, sharp enough for a canyon run, and classy enough for the valet line. Now in fully electric form, the i5 sits at the center of that ethos. For 2026, it doesn’t reinvent itself—but it doesn’t need to. Instead, BMW has given its midsize EV sedan more driving range, a fresh coat of Frozen Portimao Blue paint, and some subtle cabin upgrades. And the kicker? The price hasn’t moved an inch.
Familiar Lineup, Familiar Power
The i5 returns in three familiar flavors. At the entry point sits the rear-drive i5 eDrive40, with 335 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, good for a 5.7-second sprint to 60 mph. Add xDrive all-wheel drive, and output rises to 389 horses and 435 lb-ft, trimming half a second from the run to 60.
The star of the show remains the i5 M60 xDrive, which is essentially BMW’s way of saying “we can make an electric 5 Series feel like an M car.” With 590 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque from dual motors, it rips to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. In our earlier testing of the M60 Touring (sadly not offered stateside), we found it both blisteringly fast and impressively composed. Powertrain specs don’t change this year, but range does.
More Miles Between Plugs
Range improvements are modest but welcome. Thanks to new silicon carbide semiconductors and revised wheel bearings, BMW estimates up to 310 miles on the eDrive40—an increase of up to 15 miles over 2025. The xDrive40 now stretches to 278 miles, while the M60 remains capped at about 253 miles. Charging speeds also stay put: 11 kW on AC power and up to 205 kW with DC fast charging. That means a 10–80 percent top-up in roughly half an hour—not segment-leading, but competitive.
Inside the Upgrade
Interior tweaks for 2026 bring small but meaningful luxuries. A Harman Kardon sound system and lumbar support are now standard. Gloss black trim and revised ambient lighting with BMW’s crystalline “Interaction Bar” class up the cabin, though they’ll probably collect fingerprints faster than you can say “detailing spray.” New leather combos debut too: an Atlas Grey/Dark Violet scheme that looks fantastic and a Taupe/Atlas Grey option that looks… less so.
Otherwise, the i5 remains a modern tech haven. BMW’s iDrive 8.5 continues to pair a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a 14.9-inch touchscreen. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are voice commands and app connectivity. The Premium Package is the real sweet spot, bundling a head-up display, interior camera, and key driver aids, while the Driving Assistance Professional Package adds partially automated highway driving and gaze-based lane changes—a trick borrowed from the flagship i7.
Still a Solid Value
The best news? Pricing is unchanged. The i5 eDrive40 starts at $67,100, with xDrive adding $3,000. The M60 sits at $84,100. That keeps it well positioned against rivals like the Genesis Electrified G80 and Lucid Air.
Yes, there are flashier EVs out there. But with its blend of refinement, performance, and now a bit more range, the 2026 BMW i5 remains the most well-rounded choice in the luxury midsize EV sedan class. Think of it as the 5 Series you know—just with more electrons and fewer trips to the gas station.
Source: BMW