Review: 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport - The EV that drives like a true BMW, the ultimate driver's EV?

With the influx of Chinese EVs this year, it’s easy to get swept up in the buzz of value-for-money electric rides flooding the market. But let’s be real—while these newcomers are impressive, there’s a reason BMW’s electric vehicles remain the gold standard worldwide, particularly as the top-selling continental EV brand in Malaysia. Sure, the BMW iX might be the poster child for EV enthusiasts in Malaysia, given its popularity and road presence, but let’s not overlook the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport. This sleeper hit made its debut in Malaysia late last year, and within four months, it got an update that makes it more practical than ever.

Now, let’s talk about the drive—because that’s where BMW consistently outshines the competition. The BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport drives like a regular internal combustion engine (ICE) car, but not just any ICE car—one from BMW. This means you’re getting one of the best if not the best ride and handling in the EV segment, bar none. Unlike some EVs that feel heavy and cumbersome, the i5 is agile, poised, and responsive, especially around corners. It feels light on its feet, almost like it’s dancing to the rhythm of the road beneath you, a sensation that’s uniquely BMW.

Inside, the redesigned interior is a masterclass in how to do luxury right. It’s clean, solid, and undeniably premium. BMW proves that you don’t need to strip down your interior to achieve a futuristic vibe—looking at you, Tesla. The materials are rich, the layout is intuitive, and the overall feel is that of a car that’s built to last, not just to impress at first glance.

But no car is perfect, and the BMW i5 isn’t without its quirks. The new BMW Operating System 8.5, while feature-packed, feels a bit cluttered. This is surprising because BMW’s iDrive systems have always been top-tier in terms of user-friendliness. One notable frustration is the need to set the regenerative braking level through the touchscreen.

To get to it, you have to fiddle around with the system more than you should—a task that used to be as simple as using the flappy paddles behind the steering wheel. Speaking of those paddles, there’s only one now, located on the left side, labeled “Boost.” It’s there to give you an extra surge of power when you need it, but the absence of a second paddle for easy braking adjustments feels like a step backward.

While these minor issues exist, they pale in comparison to the impressive upgrades that make the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport a top contender in the EV market. The standout improvement is the i5's upgraded three-phase AC onboard charger, which has doubled its capacity from 11 kW to 22 kW. This enhancement cuts the full charge time from 8 hours and 15 minutes down to just 4 hours and 15 minutes, making overnight charging more efficient than ever. And if you're in a hurry, the i5 still supports up to 205 kW of DC fast charging, allowing you to top up the 83.9 kWh battery from zero to 80% in just 34 minutes.

When it comes to power, the i5 eDrive40 M Sport doesn’t just meet expectations—it impresses. With 340 horses under the hood and a claimed range of up to 582 km (though in our real-world test, we clocked in closer to 500 km), this EV is built to devour long distances without breaking a sweat.

The battery is tucked neatly under the body, ensuring the car's balance is spot-on, making every twist and turn feel just right. And when you engage Sport Boost mode, the 430Nm of torque propels you from 0 to 100 km/h in a thrilling 6.0 seconds. Need to hit the highway? With a top speed of 193 km/h, the i5 is more than ready for the open road, delivering a drive that’s as satisfying as it is exhilarating.

The exterior of the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport is undeniably striking, but let's be honest—we're more smitten with the rear than the front. Don’t get us wrong; the front has its moments with those vertical LED headlight strips and the "Sharknose"-inspired grille. It’s clean, purposeful, and unmistakably BMW, but it doesn’t quite have the flair that we’ve come to expect. The front’s understated elegance works, but it’s the rear where the design really comes alive.

The back end is a whole different story. It’s where the i5 truly flexes its design muscles in our opinion, with lines and contours that draw your eye and refuse to let go. The rear lights, with their sleek and modern design, coupled with the overall stance, give the car an enticing, almost seductive quality. And with the M high gloss Shadowline trim adding that extra bit of aggression, the i5 looks like it’s ready to pounce, even when it’s standing still. It’s this blend of subtlety up front and boldness at the rear that makes the i5’s design so compelling—it’s a car that doesn’t just look like a BMW; it looks like the future of BMW.

The upgraded 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport is priced at RM 399,800.00, just RM300 more than the pre-updated model with the standard warranty. While that might seem steep at first glance, it's actually a solid deal when you consider that the Mercedes-Benz EQE, its closest rival, costs RM30,000 (RM10k more if you opt for BMW's the five-year warranty) more and doesn't deliver the same driving pleasure. The EQE may have an edge in range, but the BMW i5 is designed for those who relish the driving experience, rather than being content in the back seat.

In a world where EVs are becoming more common by the day, the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport stands out—not just because it’s a BMW, but because it’s an EV that drives like a regular BMW. It’s the epitome of what BMW does best: making cars that are not just vehicles, but experiences, in particular when you’re behind the wheel.