I drove a $95,000 electric BMW. It has epic performance but trails Tesla and Lucid in range.

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My trial car came to $95,395.

The guidelines rear-wheel-drive BMW I5 eDrive40 starts astatine $66,800, while my range-topping, all-wheel-drive I5 M60 xDrive trial car starts astatine $84,100.

Freight fees and a slew of luxury, tech, and capacity options added much than $11,000 to nan value tag.

The I5's looks are classical 5-Series.

BMW's styling has drawn nan ire of galore marque loyalists successful caller years, particularly regarding nan maturation successful nan size of its signature kidney grilles. Fortunately, BMW exercised restraint pinch nan 5-Series, resulting successful a subtle creation that exudes a definite understated elegance.

The boxy, squared-off lines time off nary uncertainty that this is simply a BMW 5-Series.

The I5's restrained looks are a departure from nan bolder and much avant-garde aesthetics of contemporaries for illustration nan Audi e-tron GT and nan Mercedes-Benz EQE.

The I5 is astir 3 and a half inches longer than nan erstwhile procreation 5-Series.

At 199 inches successful length, nan I5 is astir 3 inches longer than nan Audi e-tron GT and Mercedes EQE but a fewer inches short of nan larger Mercedes EQS.

There's nary frunk nether nan hood.

The BMW I5 is not built connected a dedicated EV level for illustration galore of its rivals but 1 shared pinch its ICE siblings. Fortunately, nan BMW CLAR modular level that underpins nan I5 was designed to accommodate ICE, hybrid, and battery-electric models.

As a result, nan I5 retains nan long-sloping hood of its soul combustion brethren and nan abstraction wherever a silky soft BMW consecutive six erstwhile occupied.

Under nan hood, you'll find a ample integrative sheet covering nan electronics and an electrical centrifugal for nan beforehand axle.

The I5 has supercar power.

My BMW I5 M60 xDrive came pinch a 257-horsepower physics centrifugal mounted astatine nan beforehand axle and a larger 335-horsepower electrical centrifugal astatine nan back. Together, they nutrient a stout 593 full strategy horsepower and up to 605 lb-ft of torque.

The BMW 5-Series is known for its poise successful nan corners and powerfulness down nan straight.

And nan I5 delivered connected that committedness and is flat-out fast. Its acceleration was swift, brutal, and utterly glorious.

I've driven much than a fewer supercars successful my time, but nan immediacy of nan Bimmer's acceleration disconnected nan statement caught maine by astonishment a mates of times. I loved it.

According to BMW, nan I5 M60 xDrive tin sprint from 0 to 60 successful conscionable 3.7 seconds, but Motor Trend was capable to do it successful 3.4 seconds. I'm leaning towards nan quicker time.

BMW claims nan I5 tin scope a apical velocity of 143 mph.

On nan winding upland roads of North Georgia, nan all-wheel-drive I5 was a pleasance to drive. With cleanable 50/50 front-rear weight distribution, nan I5 felt balanced and precise astir nan corners. It does a bully occupation of hiding its hefty 5,200-lbs curb weight.

BMW says nan I5 tin complaint to 80% successful astir 30 minutes.

Beneath nan I5's floor, you'll find a ample lithium-ion artillery battalion pinch 84.3 kWh of usable energy.

According to BMW, nan car tin complaint from 10% to 80% successful astir 30 minutes utilizing a DC accelerated charger.

My high-performance trial car was rated by nan EPA for 240 miles of range, but I was capable to extract astir 250 miles during my clip pinch nan vehicle.

Those looking for much scope will request to opt for nan little powerful I5 eDrive40, which tin spell up to 295 miles connected a azygous charge.

The BMW I5's compartment was beautifully executed.

The I5's compartment is unmistakably modern, pinch monolithic infotainment screens and lashes of c fiber, but everything is sensibly packaged successful a measurement that won't offend immoderate automotive traditionalists.

BMW did a awesome occupation offering drivers a multitude of ways to prosecute pinch nan vehicle, from sound activation to touchscreens to capacitive touch buttons.

I recovered nan LED ray strips connected nan halfway stack and doors, which double arsenic touch-sensitive ambiance controls and spot controls, to beryllium a neat touch.

Overall, nan worldly and build value were excellent, but I was disappointed pinch nan rough, inexpensive consciousness of immoderate of nan integrative move gear, for illustration nan integrative powerfulness model controls. This is successful stark opposition to nan beautiful crystal displacement toggle and rotary infotainment controller connected nan halfway console.

The I5's burgundy leather seats were wonderfully supportive and comfortable.

The seats are made of a vegan leather called Veganza.

The centerpiece of nan I5's dash is simply a monolithic curved screen.

The curved surface consists of 14.9-inch halfway infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch integer instrumentality display.

Both screens were infinitely customizable pinch a slew of civilization colors and layouts.

The cardinal infotainment surface runs BMW's latest infotainment strategy and is comparatively intuitive to use.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto travel standard.

The I5's rear seats are roomy, supportive, and connection awesome legroom.

Rear-seat passengers person entree to a brace of USB-C chargers and sunshades.

The I5 comes loaded pinch modular information and driver's assistance tech, but adaptive cruise power costs extra.

Adaptive cruise power requires nan $2000 Driving Assistance Pro package.

My verdict: The BMW I5 is nan electrical 5-Series we've each been waiting for.

The BMW I5 is handsomely styled, wickedly fast, and well-priced moreover astatine $95,000.

With 593 horsepower connected pat and 240 miles of range, nan I5 M60 xDrive remains competitory successful scope and capacity pinch rivals from accepted OEMs for illustration nan Mercedes EQE 500+ and nan Audi e-tron GT.

It only really falls short erstwhile compared to Lucid Air Touring and Tesla Model S, some of which connection much than 400 miles of scope pinch comparable capacity astatine akin prices.

But not everyone wants a Tesla aliases a conveyance from a startup brand. The BMW 5-Series is tried and true.

And nan I5 is nan 1 I'd have.