BMW i5 M60 xDrive 2024 review: snapshot

The first electric 5 Series that BMW’s M division has had a crack at is here. It’s the i5 M60 xDrive, and it starts from a hefty $215,900, before on-road costs.

For that, there’s plenty under the bonnet… er, on the axles. It’s fitted with an 84kWh battery for its all-wheel drive dual-motor set-up to draw its power from, which in total make a whopping 442kW/820Nm.

BMW claims it’ll hit 100km/h in 3.8 seconds, but at the cost of some range - only 506km compared to the other i5’s 550km.

Interior upholstery is Merino leather as standard, while a 12.3-inch instrument display paired with a 14.9-inch multimedia display headline the interior tech, plus a head-up display, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging tray and BMW’s ‘new’ 'Interaction Bar' as seen in the 7 Series are included.

BMW’s ‘Adaptive Suspension Professional’ with Integral Active Steering (rear-wheel steering), also includes active anti-roll in the M60, making its suspension the best in the 5 Series range.

Both i5s come with BMW’s ‘Iconic Sounds’, drive sounds composed by Hans Zimmer instead of engine sounds heard through a 655-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system.

It also has a Mode 2 and Mode 3 charger, cable, and a five-year Chargefox subscription.

The 5 Series comes with 'BMW Driving Assistant Professional' as standard, with active cruise, lane assist and departure warning, front and rear cross traffic alert, collision prevention and intervention systems - about 40 safety systems are featured including an augmented reality dash display.

Airbags include front and side airbags for driver and passenger including one between the two occupants, as well as curtain airbags front and rear. ANCAP hasn’t crash tested the new 5 Series.

BMW’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty on its new cars includes the i5, and servicing is undertaken based on condition, not time or distance intervals.