- BMW's Super Bowl ad features Christopher Walken and the BMW i5 electric sedan.
- The i5 EV is closely related to the new BMW 5-series sedan, which is powered by a gas engine.
- Here we're breaking down the differences between the two models in terms of price, specs, and performance.
By now you're probably familiar with the BMW 5-series, a mid-size luxury sedan that's been around for many decades and gone through many generations. But the 5-series that's featured in BMW's 2024 Super Bowl ad isn't actually a 5-series at all, it's the new electric spinoff that BMW calls i5. Like the i7 and i4, the new EV looks nearly identical to its gas-powered stablemate, but there are some notable differences between the two in terms of prices, specifications, and performance.
Price and Trim Levels
As you might expect, you'll pay more for the i5 than for the 5-series. The gas-powered 5-series lineup starts off with the rear-wheel-drive 530i, which starts at $58,895 and offers 255 horsepower. The i5 EV kicks things off with the rear-wheel-drive $67,795 eDrive40 model, which has a 335-horsepower electric motor.
So far, the gasoline 5-series only offers two powertrain options, the four-cylinder 530i and the six-cylinder 540i, which starts at $65,895. All-wheel drive is an option on the 530i and standard on the 540i.
The highest-performance version of the 5-series—for now, at least—is actually the i5, which offers a significantly more powerful M60 configuration. It starts at $85,095 and has two electric motors that combine for all-wheel drive and 593 horsepower in total.
Performance and Acceleration
We've only tested one version of the new 5-series so far, the 2024 530i xDrive sedan with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and all-wheel drive. This represents the least powerful model in the lineup, and in our testing it accelerated to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The six-cylinder 540i xDrive, which has 375 hp from a turbocharged 3.0-liter, should be quicker. We haven't tested the electric i5 yet, but we expect it to be even swifter, as we estimate a 60 mph time of 5.0 seconds for the rear-drive eDrive40 and 3.5 seconds for the all-wheel-drive M60.
It's an apples to oranges comparison to line up the gas-powered 5-series and i5 in terms of efficiency and range. But we can still give you the numbers. The EV is obviously the more efficient of the two, with the i5 rated at between 85 and 105 MPGe combined and the 5-series ranging between 28 and 30 mpg combined. In our testing, the 530i xDrive achieved a real-world 75-mph highway fuel economy result of 35 mpg.
Driving range is perhaps the more applicable number for many people. The i5 is rated by the EPA to go between 240 and 295 miles on a charge, but we haven't yet had a chance to test the i5 ourselves. Based on our real-world highway fuel economy results for the 530i, the 5-series can travel up to 550 miles on a full tank of gas.
What's Next?
The 5-series and i5 lineups will continue to expand later this year. For the 2025 model year, BMW has already announced a plug-in-hybrid version of the 5-series called the 550e, and there's also a new all-wheel-drive version of the i5 coming called the xDrive40e. BMW also revealed a wagon version of both the 5-series and i5 called the Touring that will be sold in Europe.
The big Kahuna on the horizon is the high-performance M5, which has historically sat atop the 5-series in terms of price, power, and prestige. We're hearing that it will be a plug-in hybrid with a V-8 gasoline engine and up to 738 horsepower, and there are even rumors that the wagon version of the M5 could come to the U.S. Stay tuned for more details to come.
Joey Capparella
Senior Editor
Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.
FAQs
As you might expect, you'll pay more for the i5 than for the 5-series. The gas-powered 5-series lineup starts off with the rear-wheel-drive 530i, which starts at $58,895 and offers 255 horsepower. The i5 EV kicks things off with the rear-wheel-drive $67,795 eDrive40 model, which has a 335-horsepower electric motor.
Is the BMW i5 worth it? ›
Lows Less driving range than key rivals, infotainment tech is borderline complicated, less trunk space than gas 5-series sedan. Verdict The i5 offers everything that makes the 5-series appealing and adds punchy EV powertrains and well-honed driving chops.
What is the difference between BMW 5 Series models? ›
The 5-series will be offered in 530i, 540i, and 550e trims, with the 530i containing a 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, offered with rear or all wheel drive. The 540i is standard with all-wheel drive as well as a 375-hp turbocharged inline-six engine.
What is the range of the BMW i5 2024? ›
What is the range of the BMW i5? We're happy to report that the 2024 BMW i5 range will be an impressive 295 miles. That means it just might be the perfect new vehicle for your Bloomington commute. While the range of this electric vehicle is impressive, the BMW i5 charging time is worthy of note, as well.
What is the difference between BMW M5 and 5 Series? ›
In technical specifications, BMW 5 Series [2021-2024] 530i M Sport [2021-2023] is powered by 1998 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC engine. BMW M5 Competition [2021-2023] is powered by 4395 cc, 8 Cylinders In V Shape, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC engine.
Does i5 make a difference? ›
Generally speaking, i5 and i7 CPUs have more cores, higher frequencies, and larger caches than i3 CPUs, which gives them an advantage in performance. However, there may be some cases where an i3 CPU can outperform an i5 or i7 CPU, depending on the specific model and the workload.
Do I really need an i5? ›
Computers with Intel Core i5 CPUs are great for everyday use and your basic computer needs, like normal browsing, working, and light gaming. The i7 CPU is better for more specialized, resource-intensive, performance-oriented apps and higher-end gaming.
Which series BMW is the best? ›
BMW 3 Series
Renowned for its exquisite balance of performance, comfort, and technology, the 3 Series offers an exhilarating and refined driving experience. It's the ideal choice for those seeking a BMW sedan that combines agility, efficiency, and cutting-edge features, making it a standout in the best BMW series.
Is the BMW 5 Series changing in 2024? ›
Although the 5-series has been redesigned for 2024, it's offered with familiar powertrains and trim levels, starting with an entry-level 530i model. But our favorite setup in the last-generation model was the inline-six 540i, and we're inclined to recommend that one again.
Which BMW 5 Series is the most reliable? ›
The E39 is considered by many BMW enthusiasts to be the best 5 Series ever made, with excellent build quality and reliability. The BMW 5 Series E39 (1996-2003) is the fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series, which was produced by the German automobile manufacturer BMW.
What competes with the BMW i5? The i5's main rival is the Mercedes EQE but there are other electric cars you might consider, including the Audi e-tron GT, Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model 3.
How much will the new BMW i5 cost? ›
The BMW i5 Touring has a RRP range of £69,945 to £111,795. However, with Carwow you can save on average £6,585. Prices start at £64,422 if paying cash. Monthly payments start at £689.
How much is the BMW i5 out the door? ›
The price of the 2024 BMW i5 starts at $67,795 and goes up to $85,095 depending on the trim and options. If you're looking to maximize range, the eDrive40 will be able to sail on for a bit longer than the performance-oriented M60 trim.
Which car can beat BMW M5? ›
To challenge the new BMW M5 CS we have one of the greatest Ferraris ever built, the Ferrari 812 Superfast. The 812 Superfast is powered by a 6.5-liter V12 engine that produces 788 horsepower (587 Kilowatts) and 529 lb-ft (717 Newton Meters) of torque.
What is the fastest 5 Series? ›
The BMW M5 Competition model is currently the fastest production car in the BMW lineup, going from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. From coupes all the way up to SUV Sport Activity Vehicles®, BMW even offers a wide range of some of the fastest cars under $100k.
What is better than a M5? ›
New: Alpina B5 Biturbo AWD
If the M5 is a little too obvious, Alpina's take might be for you. The B5 Biturbo boasts four-wheel drive and even more power, with 600bhp. The ride quality is arguably even better, while being based on a 5 Series means the same great traits.
Is the i5 any good? ›
Intel i5 processors occupy the mid-range segment, striking a balance between performance and affordability. They typically feature fewer cores and threads compared to i7 processors, making them more cost-effective while still delivering strong and consistent performance.
What is the realistic range of the BMW i5? ›
Real Range Estimation between 210 - 415 mi
Indication of real-world range in several situations.
How many years will i5 last? ›
However, if you have an entry-level laptop with Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 3, AMD Ryzen 5, or other similarly powerful CPUs, then you can expect it to last for 3-4 years which is slightly lower than other high-end processors.
