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Unlike a shipping container on a freighter, this i5 Touring offers a sea of space on four wheels with the dynamics we’ve come to expect from BMW. But how good is this flagship really? We step aboard.

Increased dimensions BMW i5 Touring

What is immediately noticeable: this is a big car. At 5,060 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width and 1,515 mm in height, it is not only 10 cm longer, but also wider and higher than the previous generation BMW 5-Series Touring. The wheelbase grew by 2 cm, which translates into additional interior space.

The luggage space is 570 liters, expandable to 1,700 liters with the rear seats folded down in 40:20:40 ratio. Thus it lives up to its station wagon name. Unfortunately, it lacks such useful details as a separately opening rear window and an electric roll cover, as was the case in the previous generation. Small minuses, but still we find the necessary conveniences in the back. Think of a 12V socket, hooks and nets on both sides of the trunk – that’s neat. And with one pull of the lever, you can easily fold down the rear seat. There’s also some extra space under the cargo floor for things like the charging cable.

What lurks under the “hood”?

The hood of the i5 Touring is long, but no frunk lurks under it. What does hide under it are various powertrains. The battery always has a capacity of 81.2 kWh and works with 400V technology. Charging is optional up to 22 kW AC, otherwise it is simply 11 kW. Fast charging is possible up to 205 kW. That’s neat, but it doesn’t make the i5 Touring a frontrunner in the segment – more on that later. Also missing is Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, which BMW is only introducing with the upcoming Neue Klasse models.

The i5 Touring comes in the following guises:

• eDrive40 Touring – from 75,220 euros, 340 hp, 400 Nm, 81.2 kWh battery, 560 km WLTP, 0-100 in 6.1 seconds.
• eDrive40 Touring M Sport Edition – from 75,671 euros, same figures.
• xDrive40 Touring – from 77,882 euros, same specs, but with all-wheel drive.
• M60 xDrive Touring – from 106,075 euros, 601 hp, 820 Nm, 500 km WLTP, 0-100 in 3.9 seconds.

All the comforts on board the BMW i5 Touring

Up front, the interior is recognizably BMW: sleek, quality materials and of course – iDrive! The dashboard looks remarkably uncluttered, with a digital experience in particular taking center stage. Operation of functions is largely via the touchscreen, but the physical controls of the iDrive system still support it, making for intuitive operation while driving.

The seats are comfortable and provide sufficient support for long drives. The sightlines are also good: despite the size of the car, the driver has a good overview of the road. In terms of materials and finish, the interior feels premium: soft upholstery, neat stitching and a combination of high-quality materials and digital features give the i5 Touring’s interior a modern feel.

A few caveats present themselves as you drive this car for longer. The air vents and air currents are integrated into the dashboard design, which keeps things uncluttered. Interestingly, the controls for the airflows are not directly linked to the “vents,” which is a bit different than what you are used to. But, you’ll get used to it. The iDrive on the center console executed in high-gloss black. That looks elegant, but if the sun falls just wrong on it, the light can reflect in your eyes.

You also have the space in the back

In the rear seat, it is spacious, although you notice that the center tunnel limits the use of the middle seat. There is plenty of legroom for two passengers in the back, but adults in the middle position will be a little less comfortable. What is noticeable is that the rear doors have no ambient lighting, something that is sometimes present in competitors and further enhances the feeling of luxury.

Driving experience and efficiency in practice

And then the most important thing – driving! Do you experience the necessary “Freude am Fahren” in an electric estate car? The i5 Touring is clearly focused on comfort, but still responds in a sharp and balanced way. The suspension filters out bumps excellently, while the steering provides fine feedback when you get a little sportier. The i5 Touring may be a hefty and relatively heavy flagship, but it doesn’t feel like you’re shipping a shipping container.

On the contrary, BMW manages to maintain a handsome balance in the chassis which provides the brand’s signature driving dynamics. This, of course, is helped by the fact that this i5 eDrive40 Touring has rear-wheel drive.

In addition, what surprised us was its efficiency in practice. During our time with the i5 Touring, we drove a total of more than 800 kilometers. The average consumption stuck at 15.8 kWh per 100 kilometers. When you add that to the usable battery capacity of 81.2 kWh, you arrive at a practical range of over 500 kilometers on a single charge. This is remarkably close to the stated WLTP value and confirms that the i5 Touring is surprisingly economical with its energy. Provided you don’t constantly demand the maximum from the i5 Touring in sport mode.

Comparison: BMW i5 Touring vs. Audi A6 e-tron Avant

Those looking at competition in this segment cannot ignore the Audi A6 e-tron Avant. There appear to be some differences between these two Germans. First, there is the technology and battery. The i5 Touring operates with a 400V architecture and an 81.2 kWh battery pack, good for a WLTP range of up to 560 kilometers. Audi contrasts this with an 800V system with a 95 kWh battery pack, which not only increases the stated range (up to 720 kilometers WLTP), but also significantly increases the fast-charging power: 270 kW versus BMW’s 205 kW. So for those who often drive long distances and need to fast-charge along the way, Audi has a Vorsprung durch Technik here.

Check out our experience with the A6 Avant e-tron on the way to France here!

Practical differences

Another practical difference is the towing weight. The Audi may tow up to 2,100 kilograms, the BMW in this rear-wheel-drive version only 1,500 kilograms. On the other hand, the i5 Touring actually gains on luggage space: 570 liters versus 502 liters on the Audi, expandable to 1,700 liters (Audi: 1,422 liters). For vacationers and families, that difference can be decisive.

In addition, the Audi offers something the BMW lacks: a frunk. The front luggage compartment of 27 liters is just enough for charging cables and small items. In the i5 Touring, you have to put those in the regular boot, which is less convenient in practice.

Differences in the price list

Finally, there is the price positioning. The Audi A6 e-tron performance Avant offers a similar package to the i5 eDrive40 Touring. This variant has 367 hp (the BMW 340 hp) and a 95 kWh battery pack (81.2 kWh on the BMW). The starting price is 73,490 euros. That is just slightly less than the 75,220 euros of the BMW.

At the top of the range, BMW’s i5 M60 xDrive Touring shines. This variant offers 601 hp and 820 Nm of torque – that’s more than double! You shoot to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. The Audi S6 Avant e-tron does roughly the same trick, offering 551 hp. The difference in price? The S6 comes from 97,490 euros, while the M60 has a starting price of 106,075 euros….

Brief look at the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer

As a third option in this playing field, there is the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer. That one is significantly cheaper – starting at 48,990 euros – and always developed as an electric car. With a range of up to 615 kilometers (WLTP) in the base version and up to 175 kW of fast charging, it is technically about as strong, but in terms of experience and finish it plays in a different segment. The ID.7 feels less sporty and premium, but it is practical and efficient.

Conclusion BMW i5 Touring

The BMW i5 Touring proves that electric driving and practical ease of use go together excellently in the upper segment. It is spacious, comfortable and has managed to retain typical BMW driving dynamics.

But those who prioritize maximum range, quick-loading capacity or towing weight would do well to look at Audi as well. For those more concerned with budget and pragmatism, the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer may be an attractive alternative. Those looking for a premium and stylish estate that is electric will find an impressive total package in the i5 Touring.