Should You Buy the 2024 BMW i5 M60? Luxury Electric Sedan Review

Exterior Design and Features

• ⚡ The BMW i5 M60 features signature BMW styling with LED headlights, daytime running lamps, and integrated arrow elements.
• 💨 Functional corner air curtains and a kidney grille design with a forward-facing camera are present, though an M badge on the grille may be misleading as it's not a true M car.
• 🔵 Electrification is indicated by a blue rim around the BMW badge, and the vehicle has a clean style with body lines flowing towards the windshield.
• ⚙️ It rides on 19-inch machined aluminum wheels with gunmetal gray accents, equipped with four-piston M-branded calipers and large rotors.
• 📏 Aerodynamic features include arrow-esque side mirrors, flush door handles, and a roof antenna shaped for reduced drag.
• 🔌 The rear design is clean with M60 and i5 badging, and the rear glass is shaped to aid airflow.

Performance and Powertrain

• 🚀 Under the hood (or rather, under the plastic cover) lies one of two electric motors, with another in the rear, producing a combined 593 horsepower and 605 lb-ft of torque.
• 🔋 It utilizes an 81.2 kWh lithium-ion battery, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds and a quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds at 124 mph.
• 🛣️ The top speed is governed at 142 mph, with an estimated range of 240 miles, equating to 85 MPGe city/highway.
• ⚡ Charging is efficient, providing up to 200 miles of range in just 30 minutes.
• ⚖️ The vehicle has a substantial curb weight of 5,225 lbs.

Interior Comfort and Technology

• 🛋️ The interior boasts a two-tone design with soft-touch materials, two memory seat settings, and a Bowyers and Wilkins premium sound system.
• 🪵 Real open-pore wood finish and creamy white material on the armrests add to the luxury feel.
• 💡 Ambient lighting illuminates the trim at night, and the dashboard features a 27-inch screen combining a 14.9-inch infotainment system.
• ❄️ Climate controls, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel are included, but ventilated seats are notably absent at this price point.
• 🔊 The iDrive system offers navigation, a clear backup camera, parking assist views, and car wash view.
• 🔌 Dual wireless charging pads, two USB ports, two cup holders, and two USB-C ports are available.
• 🎮 Driving modes include Personal, Sport, Efficient, and Expressive, with a boost paddle for 10 seconds of extra power.
• 🏁 The steering wheel features an M badge, motorsport colors, and a red top-center marker, with a plastic paddle for the boost function.
• 📊 A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster changes display based on the selected driving mode, complemented by a head-up display.

Rear Seat and Cargo Space

• 🧑‍💼 Rear passengers have ample legroom due to the lowered floor from the battery pack, though there are no seatback pockets.
• 📱 Two USB-C ports are conveniently located high up, with two more USB-C ports and AC vents lower down.
• 📦 The trunk offers approximately 12 cubic feet of space, with a cargo floor that is not particularly low due to the rear electric motor.
• 🛠️ Seats can be folded down for increased cargo capacity, and storage for charging accessories is located beneath the floor.
• ⛽ A flat-fix kit and electric air compressor are included instead of a spare tire.

Driving Experience and Verdict

• 🔊 The i5 M60 offers instant torque and acceleration, but the artificial engine sound is polarizing and not well-received by the reviewer.
• 🏎️ The car is fun to drive with a stable chassis, low center of gravity, and adaptive suspension, providing minimal body roll.
• 🚗 All-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering contribute to excellent grip, traction, and maneuverability, making it feel balanced and tossable.
• ⚠️ The reviewer expresses reservations about the 240-mile range, especially when using the boost function, and ultimately states they would not buy the vehicle.
• 👍 Despite personal reservations, the reviewer acknowledges the vehicle's strengths, including the comfortable interior, quiet ride, solid build quality, and intuitive infotainment system.