Does the BMW i5 M60 truly represent the ultimate evolution of the 5 Series, or did BMW perhaps short-circuit on some crucial details? As detailed in the accompanying video, the Edmunds team put the i5 M60 through a rigorous one-year road test, covering over 10,000 miles of diverse driving conditions.
This comprehensive evaluation aimed to determine if the BMW i5 M60, which earned Edmunds’ Top Rated Electric Car for 2024, lives up to its prestigious title and premium price point. Their findings reveal a compelling yet imperfect luxury electric vehicle, highlighting both its significant strengths and a few surprising weaknesses.
Experiencing Unrivaled Serenity and a Smooth Ride in the BMW i5 M60
In today’s competitive luxury market, where advanced features are increasingly common, true luxury often distinguishes itself through unparalleled comfort and quietness. The BMW i5 M60 excels in this regard, offering an exceptionally hushed cabin environment that significantly elevates the driving experience.
Specialized foam-lined tires contribute to this impressive tranquility, meticulously designed to minimize road noise intrusion. Furthermore, the standard air suspension system delivers a remarkably smooth ride, gracefully absorbing imperfections even with the large 21-inch wheels, which typically compromise ride comfort. This sophisticated setup allows the BMW i5 M60 to glide over potholes and cracked pavement with remarkable ease, fostering a profoundly relaxed atmosphere within the cabin.
Dynamic Electric Performance and Intuitive Driving Dynamics
The i5 M60 model, boasting nearly 600 horsepower, delivers exhilarating performance without sacrificing refinement. Its power delivery is impeccably calibrated, providing intuitive and smooth acceleration that consistently matches driver input.
Unlike some electric vehicles that can feel abrupt, the i5 M60 exhibits a linear throttle response, preventing any unwanted lurching or jerky movements. While the steering may not offer abundant tactile feedback, it remains highly accurate, contributing to the car’s composed and controlled feel. Moreover, the brake pedal masterfully blends regenerative and friction braking, ensuring a confident and seamless stopping experience.
Interestingly, during Edmunds’ U-Drags, the i5 M60 managed to challenge a BMW M4, an impressive feat for such a substantial and heavy vehicle. This demonstrates its formidable straight-line capability and significant power output, cementing its status as a light performance luxury EV.
Real-World EV Range and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
One critical aspect of electric vehicle ownership is real-world range, and the BMW i5 M60 performed admirably in Edmunds’ tests. During their year-long evaluation, the team consistently achieved an average of 248 miles of range on a full charge with the 21-inch wheels.
This figure comfortably surpasses the EPA’s estimate of 240 miles, indicating efficient real-world performance. Furthermore, the i5 M60 impressed during the Edmunds Real-World Range Test, covering an impressive 256 miles on a single charge. The car’s driver assistance features generally proved reliable and effective, with safety systems rarely issuing false warnings, and both adaptive cruise control and the hands-free driving system consistently performing accurately.
However, a minor yet notable concern arose with the hands-free system’s alert timing. The interval between prompting the driver to place their hands back on the wheel and the system’s disengagement was deemed too short, indicating a potential area for refinement through future over-the-air updates.
Analyzing the BMW i5 M60’s Interior: A Mix of Innovation and Inconsistency
The interior of the BMW i5 M60 presents a nuanced experience, offering a compelling blend of premium materials and advanced technology, alongside a few design compromises. The overall material quality is commendable, featuring soft-touch surfaces, sophisticated carbon fiber accents, and unique crystal-effect plastics.
The ambient light bar stands out as a particular highlight, elegantly stretching across the dashboard and into the doors, creating a super cool and techy aesthetic without appearing overly ostentatious. In terms of technology, the central touchscreen infotainment system receives praise for its snappy hardware response and immediate boot-up, unlike some competitors that require frustrating delays. The wireless phone charging pad also reliably functions, a feature not always guaranteed in other vehicles.
In contrast, the interior exhibits some puzzling inconsistencies in material application, with window switches, steering wheel buttons, and other controls utilizing different plastics, which detracts from a cohesive feel. The prominent use of piano black plastic on the center console, around the crystal rotary knob, and below the screen, while initially sleek, readily accumulates fingerprints and smudges, demanding constant cleaning. Another detail that disappointed some reviewers was the plastic speaker grills for the Bowers & Wilkins sound system; for a car priced at $100,000, metal grills, as found in other high-end BMWs, would have felt more appropriate.
Infotainment System Usability and Control Preferences
While the i5 M60’s touchscreen boasts competent hardware, the software’s menu structure proved less intuitive for some users. The sheer volume of apps, lacking clear organization or categorization, often required extensive scrolling to locate specific settings. This suggests an opportunity for BMW to refine the user interface for enhanced usability.
Furthermore, the reliance on the touchscreen for primary functions, such as air conditioning and heated seats, was a point of contention. Despite the presence of convenient shortcuts for climate controls, many drivers still express a strong preference for physical buttons for these fundamental operations. Even the crystal rotary dial, while visually striking at night with ambient lighting, appeared as clear plastic in daylight and occasionally reflected sunlight directly into drivers’ eyes, a design flaw BMW is reportedly addressing in future generations.
Minor Build Quality Issues and Long-Term Durability Considerations
Despite its premium price tag and impressive performance, the BMW i5 M60 exhibited a few unexpected build quality issues after only 10,000 miles of use. The badge on the exterior began to peel off, and a visible hole appeared in one of the front seats, with foam exposed. These minor flaws, while not impacting vehicle operation, raise questions about the long-term durability and attention to detail expected from a luxury brand like BMW.
Interestingly, the Edmunds team noted a suspension component making noise, which, while not a functional failure, adds to the list of minor imperfections. In contrast, the previous long-term BMW iX test car experienced similar problem-free mechanical operation but did not present the same level of early build quality concerns. These observations highlight that even excellent EVs can still have room for improvement in overall material resilience.
Understanding the Financial Impact: Depreciation of the BMW i5 M60
One of the most significant financial considerations for any new car, especially a luxury electric vehicle, is depreciation. The BMW i5 M60 presented a particularly stark example in this regard. Originally optioned out at $95,745, its estimated resale value after just one year and 10,000 miles plummeted to $56,000.
This considerable drop translates to a depreciation cost of $4 per mile driven, a substantial figure for any owner. This rapid depreciation is an important factor for prospective buyers to consider, especially when evaluating the total cost of ownership over time. While the i5 M60 demonstrated remarkable reliability with no maintenance or repair costs during the test period, this significant depreciation certainly factors into its overall financial viability.
Comparing it to similarly sized EVs, such as the Tesla Model S or certain Mercedes-Benz EQE variants, reveals that while these competitors might offer lower purchase prices, the BMW i5 M60 still stands out as a more well-rounded package. However, the depreciation rate underscores a crucial challenge for luxury EVs in a rapidly evolving market.
The Verdict: Is the BMW i5 M60 Worth the Investment?
Despite the minor build quality quirks and substantial depreciation, the BMW i5 M60 proved itself an outstanding member of the Edmunds long-term fleet. Its combination of exhilarating performance, exceptional cabin quietness, and sophisticated ride quality makes it one of the best electric luxury cars currently available.
The majority of the Edmunds test drivers would unequivocally purchase the BMW i5 M60 again, highlighting its compelling blend of comfort, entertainment, and refinement. While competitors like the Tesla Model S and Mercedes-Benz EQE offer alternatives, the i5 M60’s balanced approach to luxury and performance sets it apart in the segment. It truly delivers a premium electric driving experience, even with its few noted imperfections.
Decoding the i5 M60’s Value: Your Questions Answered
What kind of car is the BMW i5 M60?
The BMW i5 M60 is a luxury electric sedan designed to offer both strong performance and a comfortable driving experience.
How long did the Edmunds team test the BMW i5 M60?
The Edmunds team conducted a rigorous one-year road test, covering over 10,000 miles to evaluate the car’s performance and features.
What are some main strengths of the BMW i5 M60?
It offers an exceptionally quiet cabin, a remarkably smooth ride due to its air suspension, and powerful yet refined electric performance.
What is the typical real-world driving range for the BMW i5 M60?
In Edmunds’ real-world tests, the BMW i5 M60 consistently achieved an average of 248 miles on a full charge, which is slightly more than its official estimate.
Does the BMW i5 M60 hold its value well?
No, the BMW i5 M60 experienced significant depreciation, losing a substantial amount of its original value after just one year.