BMW i5 M60 xDrive Review: The Electric 5-Series Mercedes Should Fear
The 2025 BMW i5 M60 xDrive delivers 593 hp, dual-motor AWD, and the most engaging driving dynamics in the mid-size electric sedan segment. Here's the full review.
BMW’s 5-Series has been the default choice for executives who want a sporty sedan for decades. The 2025 i5 M60 xDrive is the electric interpretation of that formula, and it’s the best electric 5-Series yet — by a wide margin.
The Numbers
The i5 M60 xDrive uses a dual-motor AWD powertrain producing 593 hp and 549 lb-ft of torque in Sport Boost mode. 0-100 km/h arrives in 3.8 seconds. The 84 kWh battery (81.5 kWh usable) delivers an EPA-estimated 295 miles of range — lower than the single-motor i5 eDrive40’s 321 miles, but competitive for this performance level.
Charging supports up to 205 kW DC (10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes) and 11 kW AC onboard. The 800V architecture enables efficient high-speed charging on routes.
Driving Dynamics
BMW made a deliberate choice with the i5 M60: make it feel like a BMW first, an EV second. The steering is heavy and precise — far more communicative than Mercedes’ EQE, which feels disconnected by comparison. The adaptive M suspension with air springs is standard and excellent; it firms up in Sport mode while remaining genuinely comfortable in Comfort.
The i5 M60 weighs approximately 2,350 kg — heavy by 5-Series standards, but BMW’s chassis engineers have done remarkable work to mask the mass. The low center of gravity from the floor-mounted battery helps, and the rear-wheel steering (optional) improves low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability.
One-pedal driving is available in B mode, with four regenerative braking settings from adaptive to strong. The transition between regen and friction braking is imperceptible — among the best in the segment.
Interior and Technology
The interior follows the iX and 7-Series template: a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch center touchscreen running BMW’s iDrive 8.5 with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. The build quality is excellent, with high-quality materials throughout.
The new Interaction Bar — a backlit crystal panel that spans the dash and continues into the door panels — is striking in photos and genuinely nice to live with, providing subtle ambient lighting and haptic climate controls that work better than pure touch-only systems.
The rear seat is genuinely spacious. Adults over 6 feet will find legroom and headroom adequate even with the panoramic roof. The 490-liter trunk is competitive with the EQE’s 430 liters.
What Could Be Better
The i5 M60’s range is adequate but not class-leading. The Tesla Model S Long Range (2024) offered 405 miles, though Tesla has discontinued that variant. The Mercedes EQE 500 4Matic offers similar performance with comparable range.
The i5’s weight is occasionally apparent in tight corners under heavy regenerative load — the stability control intervenes in ways that feel more conservative than the ICE M5. This is a fast EV sedan, not a track weapon.
The Verdict
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is the electric sedan that makes sense: it’s a BMW first, with the driving dynamics and build quality that brand loyalists expect, wrapped in a compelling electric package. Starting at $84,100, it’s not cheap — but it outperforms the Mercedes EQE in every dynamic dimension and offers a more refined interior experience.
For executives who want an electric 5-Series that actually feels like a 5-Series, BMW has delivered exactly what was asked.
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