BMW i5 - Design, interior & technology

Styling is always subjective, but compared with some of the German brand’s more controversial-looking offerings of late (in particular, the BMW XM), the i5 is reasonably conservative. Sure, it looks more bloated than the previous generation BMW 5 Series, but the i5 is a bigger car. 

Styling is always subjective, but compared with some of the German brand’s more controversial-looking offerings of late (in particular, the BMW XM), the i5 is reasonably conservative. Sure, it looks more bloated than the previous generation BMW 5 Series, but the i5 is a bigger car. 

Regular M Sport specification features the most traditional grille in matt grey, while M Sport Pro and M60 models have a version in black trim. M Sport and M Sport Pro models still have slats in the grille, whereas M60 models have a smooth nose that some may find a little odd.

Aside from Sport Edition models that come with a model-exclusive Phytonic Blue metallic as standard, Alpine White is the complimentary colour across the trim line-up. Nine metallic and three pricey ‘Individual’ colour choices follow. The M60 version allows you to specify one of the nine metallic choices for free, although considering the near six-figure sum for this model, it’s not a huge saving.

The interior is reminiscent of the larger BMW i7, with the two large curved screens merging into one another across the top of the fascia, along with the BMW Interaction Bar that bisects the dashboard. This bar changes colour depending upon specific inputs, such as flashing red when the hazards are switched on, or turning from blue to red when the temperature is increased on the climate control system. 

Speaking of the climate control system, the air vents are hidden in the i5. Instead, the air is diffused around the interior to avoid any uncouth gusts of wind hitting your face. It’s said to provide a classier driving environment, but going into the infotainment menu to change the direction of the air flow is an additional complication we could do without – especially while driving.

The i5 interior is a far more premium place than the Mercedes EQE, which we’ve found to be a little underwhelming with its cheap plastics that are all too readily on show. Nothing could be further from the truth in the i5 because it’s absolutely beautiful inside. The standard Veganza leather alternative seat trim looks great, and you can take things even further by adding genuine BMW Individual Merino leather. There’s also a choice of inlays (some of the open pore wood choices look particularly classy), and specify the Crafted Clarity controls that replace the gear selector, iDrive wheel, volume wheel and start/stop button with crystal alternatives to really push the boat out.

You can add to the on-board technology with either the Technology Pack, or the Technology Pack Pro, which gives the driver a head-up display projected onto the windscreen. This display shows helpful information such as sat-nav instructions (including which lane you need to be in), your speed, and the current speed limit.

There are some oddities, though, such as the single left paddle behind the steering wheel. It provides easy access to the car’s Boost function, which ups the performance ante for short bursts and provides peak power at the flex of your right foot.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The widescreen infotainment system runs the latest operating system. It feels like an upgrade on the brand’s earliest OS 8 efforts – not least because it reintroduces the intuitive click wheel on the centre console. The graphics are super-sharp, and there’s no end to the list of features buried within – many of which can be accessed via QuickSelect tabs. 

The standard 12-speaker, 205-watt Harman Kardon sound system is great, but you can upgrade it to an 18-speaker, 655-watt Bowers and Wilkins audio system (it comes as standard with M60) if you really value your music. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone connectivity are provided as standards, plus two wireless charging pads ahead of the gear lever.

To appease Tesla drivers and those waiting at electric car chargers, you can play video games on the 14.9-inch screen using AirConsole. You use your smartphone as the controller to play an arcade-style game on the car’s central display, allowing you to pass the time while charging up.