Complicated
The first electric 5-series immediately comes in an M-tuned version. But maybe there's more tech onboard than is good for it.
Photo: BMW
With the launch of the new BMW 5-series, the fully electric variant is now part of the range. It's available as the modest iDrive40 or as the more powerful M60 xDrive. This is the car for those who love to drive, even in the crowded city (or so they claim). What immediately stands out is that the software prevents the car from driving further than 360 kilometers on a fully charged battery, far from the maximum WLTP range of 516 kilometers, but still sufficient for normal daily use.
But normal daily use also means dealing with all the tech BMW has packed into the car. Do you really need 43 apps in the infotainment system? Do you want a color-changing interior as a fun feature? What BMW strongly recommended, however, was removing as many physical buttons as possible from the center console so you can control the essentials through touch.
The system that adjusts the steering when you change lanes – with a gentle push on the steering wheel or a little nudge when crossing a lane – takes some getting used to. If you accidentally drift out of your lane or try to cut corners quickly, the mandatory EU-installed beep sounds, but a quick turn of the wheel switches it off. The car also gently taps the brakes to keep you on track, but it's unclear why these warnings never sounded during the test. Take any sharp turn and it won't make a sound.
When driving past parked cars on the right, the vehicle thinks you're going to collide straight ahead. We searched through those 43 apps to find a way to disable this feature but couldn't locate it.
We must admit, we're viewing this new 5-series through the lens of the old one. Previous models focused on sporty driving, providing the driver with a sense of engagement without excessive distractions; although, with each new model, the technology increased. The new model has become a colossal vehicle, offering a higher seating position—likely appealing to older buyers. But it also includes the latest BMW technology, which may be perplexing to some older buyers due to its complexity. While efforts have been made to introduce some logic to the array of menus, buttons, and iDrive controls, an overabundance of features can lead to confusion. A thorough simplification is needed here.
However, if you set aside the electronic complexities and evaluate the vehicle based on its driving performance, the i5 M60 xDrive ranks high among the best-driving electric sedans. This duality is inherent in the car: as a BMW with M input, it delivers excellent driving dynamics.
With 601 horsepower distributed to all four wheels, it offers exhilarating performance. As an electric vehicle, it excels in performance, handling, and even provides some steering feedback. There's not a single rattle or creak; everything about this car screams top-quality. But the intricate electronics feel like overkill, which detracts from the overall experience, even though its driving behavior is so appealing.
