Starting at Rs 79.60 lakh, the i5 LWB eDrive35L M Sport variant costs Rs 3 lakh more than its petrol-powered 530Li M Sport sibling. Within the BMW i5 line-up in India, the i5 LWB slots below the range-topping standard-wheelbase i5 M60 xDrive, which costs Rs 39.90 lakh more. Here are some of the main pros and cons of the BMW i5 LWB.
Reasons to buy the BMW i5 LWB
More wheelbase equals more interior space
Carrying four occupants in the i5 LWB will be a breeze
The additional 110mm gained between the front and rear wheels of the BMW i5 LWB over the standard-wheelbase i5 means that space on the inside isn’t on short supply. Despite lacking the manually adjustable thigh support feature found in earlier 5 Series models, the ventilated front seats of the i5 LWB feel really comfortable and supportive. There’s also plenty of legroom at the back, with the long wheelbase allowing occupants to stretch out and relax – perfect for the chauffeur-driven. Furthermore, the contouring of the rear bench provides the outer occupants with a true sense of luxury.
Plush ride
Bad roads will not pose a problem for the BMW i5 LWB
While the i5 LWB gets larger (20-inch) alloy wheels shod with lower-profile tyres when compared to the petrol-powered 5 Series LWB, it adds a rear air suspension system. This helps make the i5 LWB’s ride plush as it absorbs bad roads in its stride, ensuring occupants don’t get tossed around. The raised ground clearance (by 18mm) of the i5 LWB means that driving over poor surfaces and speed bumps even with four occupants on board remains a relatively stress-free experience.
Brimming with tech
The long-wheelbase i5 offers plenty in the way of modern-day equipment
Adaptive LED headlamps and a powered boot aside, the BMW i5 LWB comes with a fixed panoramic glass roof with integrated LEDs, multi-colour ambient lighting, a four-zone climate control system and dual curved displays powered by the BMW OS 8.5. There’s also the My BMW app, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an immersive 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, an on-board camera enabling selfies, and wireless charging pads for the front- and rear-seat occupants.
The catalogue of the long-wheelbase i5 also includes adaptive cruise control, auto-emergency braking, active steering assist, cross-traffic alert and automatic parking assistance, among other things. The i5 LWB’s useful feature set adds multiple regenerative braking settings – there’s Adaptive, High, Mid and Low settings. Finally, the dedicated one-pedal ‘B’ mode allows the EV to be brought to a complete halt without touching the brake pedal.
Reasons not to buy the BMW i5 LWB
Missing rear-seat features
BMW could have offered more in the way of conveniences for rear-seat passengers
The outer rear seats of the BMW i5 LWB cannot be adjusted for recline, and the protruding head cushions aren’t as comfortable as those in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The battery pack, along with the tall central tunnel on the floor, results in a raised seating position, especially impacting headroom for the rear-centre passenger. While the i5 LWB misses out on a head-up display, it’ll be the lack of rear sunblinds, a ‘boss’ mode for the front-passenger seat, dedicated rear audio controls and soft-close doors that chauffeur-driven buyers will come to miss.
Compromised boot
The i5 LWB’s boot space isn’t as accommodating as that of the combustion-powered 5 Series
When it comes to carrying cargo, buyers of the BMW i5 LWB will be left a little disappointed. While the 500-litre capacity is comparable to that of the combustion-powered 5 Series LWB, the space-saver spare wheel is placed in the boot rather than tucked underneath it. This eats into valuable cargo room, which could otherwise have been used to accommodate more luggage.
Not BMW enough when behind the wheel
The electric 5 Series is not the most engaging 5 Series to drive
The electric powertrain of the i5 LWB offers enough poke up to 100kph while feeling smooth and responsive to inputs. However, not only did we find the i5 LWB to be a touch slower than the 530Li from 0-100kph but also in our 20-80kph and 40-100kph acceleration tests. Then there’s the brake pedal, which lacks feel, and the transition from regenerative braking to mechanical braking also doesn’t feel natural.
BMW has managed to achieve a perfect 50:50 weight distribution with the i5 LWB, but the higher ground clearance and softer suspension setup have resulted in this fully electric 5 Series feeling less engaging to drive. Those with a verve for driving will notice the lack of precision and sharpness that’s usually associated with a 5 Series.
Uday Singh
Dipan Sur
