Two years ago, this editor got behind the steering wheel of the BMW iX xDrive40 – the first all-electric SUV from the German automaker to enter Malaysia. It was my first experience of driving a fully electric vehicle on Malaysian roads, although I had a few exhilarating (read: fast and furious) stints with other marques on the tracks of Sepang before.
I recall that driving experience from Kuala Lumpur to Janda Baik and back being a pleasant one without much of the range anxiety associated with EVs. So, when I received the opportunity to test drive the 2024 edition of the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport, I knew I had to put it to the same test – if not more. Besides, I was curious to see how the i5 fared against its bigger sibling that’s seen as the poster child for BMW EVs.
With that said, here are my thoughts after clocking in four days with the car, travelling around and from the streets of Kuala Lumpur to Janda Baik, then heading further up to Genting Highlands and back to KL.
Exterior presence
Design is always a subjective topic, but I’d argue that the BMW i5 is generally less polarising than some other Bimmer models. The white model I tested looked sleek, clean, and athletic, albeit somewhat safe. Out front, it gets a Sharknose-inspired grille with vertical LED headlight strips. This appears more striking at night, when the BMW kidney Iconic Glow highlights its contours.
The rear end features straight tail lamps that exude understated elegance, while the M high gloss Shadowline trim ups its aggressiveness. Overall, the car is slightly larger than its predecessor, giving it a more commanding presence. The M Package also arrives with 20-inch M Aerodynamic wheels as standard.
Interior comfort
Inside, the cabin offers that premium ride comfort and elegance the BMW 5 series is known for by way of ‘Merino’ leather seats. Dark silver M accents, an M Anthracite headliner, and an M leather steering wheel come as standard for the M Sport model. There was plenty of room for four fully grown adults in the car, though adding one more passenger in the back would fill out the space snugly.
My main critique, however, is the plasticky parts that appear to cheapen the interior aesthetics, such as the power window controls. The “invisible” air conditioner vents – distinguished by slim vents – also take some getting used to due to the small knobs for making adjustments. I get the design idea, but perhaps they’re a little too hidden to be practical.
Infotainment pleasure
Moving on to the infotainment system, the i5 features the BMW Live Cockpit Professional setup that includes a 12.3-inch instrument display and 14.9-inch control display, alongside a head-up display and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. The new BMW iDrive Operating System 8.5 has a fairly intuitive UI, despite boasting more features than before.
Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, allowing you to enjoy your favourite Spotify playlists from the crisp, dynamic 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system. I had fun playing around with the driving modes too, which changes certain features such as ambient lighting via the Interaction Bar. No complaints here.
Driving performance
Now for the actual driving. This, in my opinion, is where BMW hits the nail on the spot. While the marque has a track record of solid driving performance for its petrol models, the i5 makes a case for its EVs too. Not just when it comes to city driving – thanks to the instant power from the electric engine – but also for the uphill, winding roads I faced en route to Genting Highlands.
With a maximum output of 340hp and 430Nm of torque in Boost Mode, the i5 handled curves and climbs with finesse. Acceleration is smooth, reaching the century sprint in 6 seconds towards a top speed of 193 km/h. Additionally, its driving assistance capabilities made cruising more effortless without any sudden jerks or false alarms for “security reasons”. Honestly, the i5 truly lived up to BMW’s slogan of “sheer diving pleasure” for its range in my books.
Charging experience
So, what about the whole electric deal? The i5’s range is rated up to 582km by WLTP standards, but our real-world testing in Malaysia’s traffic and weather conditions was only good for about 450 to 500km. In my case, I started with an estimated range of 503km at 99% state of charge (SoC) before needing to recharge the car at 11% SoC and an estimated 36km of range left.
The good news: the i5 comes with an upgraded three-phase AC onboard charger, which has doubled its capacity from 11 kW to 22 kW. This cuts the full charge time from 8 hours and 15 minutes down to 4 hours and 15 minutes for more efficient overnight charging in your garage/residence. It also supports up to 205 kW of DC fast charging, topping up the 83.9 kWh battery from zero to 80% in just 34 minutes.
But the bad news is that DC fast charging prices in Malaysia are relatively steep, not to mention few and far between along major interstate highways. In fact, there’s only one charging station in Genting Highlands, and all the AC charges were being used when I arrived. I had to resort to using the DC charger, which cost me RM65 for a mere 11 minutes of charging 23kWh. For comparison, I tried the AC charger (after waiting longer) and ended up with a RM36 bill after an hour and six minutes for an additional 22 kWh.
Granted, the latter would have been enough charge for me to get back home from KL – thanks to the car’s decent regenerative braking down the slopes of Genting Highland. If you’re willing to fork out a larger amount for convenience though, by all means – ignore this comment.
All things considered, the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport is a promising EV and a strong contender in its price range – electric or not. It looks handsome, feels comfortable, drives exceptionally, and charges relatively fast for an asking price of RM 399,800.00. If you’re willing to look past minor interior setbacks and don’t mind planning your schedule around charging times, the i5 could seal the deal for you.
Check out more of our testdrives here.
Photos: Editor’s own