In the first half of 2026, BMW sold nearly 2,400 EVs in India, with the entry-level iX1 and the flagship i7 accounting for the bulk of those volumes. Now, BMW has introduced an all-new electric long-wheelbase sedan to bridge the sizeable gap between the two. Meet the BMW i5 eDrive35L, the electric counterpart to the 5 Series sedan.
The i5 nameplate isn’t new to India. BMW launched the imported, performance-focused i5 M60 here back in 2024. However, that was a niche offering. This new version is expected to appeal to a much wider audience. Being locally assembled, the i5 eDrive35L is priced at Rs 79.60 lakh, commanding a premium of Rs 3 lakh over its petrol-powered sibling. In this review, we find out what it’s like to live with.
BMW i5 LWB Exterior Design and Engineering
Compared to the international version, this i5's wheelbase has been stretched by 110mm to 3,105mm, while overall length now stands at 5,175mm. Interestingly, the 5 Series is larger than its chief rival, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, in every dimension.
As for styling, this generation of the 5 Series has been around since 2024 and much like most modern BMW designs, it's something that grows on you with time. That said, there's no denying that it's a polarising design. The numerous cuts, heavy surfacing and intricate detailing make it look busy and excessive to some eyes.
Differentiating the i5 from its petrol-powered counterpart are an 'i' logo on the grille and larger 20-inch alloy wheels. The latter look far more proportionate than the 18-inch wheels initially offered on the 530Li. At the rear, the only distinguishing elements are the i5 and eDrive35L badges, apart from the obvious giveaway - the green number plate.
BMW i5 LWB Interior Space and Comfort
Step inside and the dashboard is dominated by BMW's twin curved-screen setup, complemented by a flat-bottomed steering wheel, generous ambient lighting, and a tasteful mix of open-pore wood trim and silver inlays. The crystalline drive selector, rotary infotainment controller and volume roller on the centre console add a welcome sense of occasion.
Those familiar with older 5 Series models will quickly notice the absence of the manually adjustable thigh support for the front seats. That aside, the seats themselves are exceptionally comfortable and supportive, and they also feature ventilation.
Being the long-wheelbase version, the i5 benefits from an additional 4.3 inches of wheelbase compared to the international model, resulting in noticeably more rear legroom. Sure, the floor sits higher than in the ICE version, but this remains a very comfortable place to be for chauffeur-driven buyers. The rear bench is well contoured and, with just two occupants, delivers a genuinely luxurious experience. Some may find the pillows a little excessive, and they aren't quite as comfortable as the integrated units in the E-Class. Speaking of which, unlike the Mercedes, the i5's rear seat doesn't recline, and there are arguably too few indulgent touches to truly cater to chauffeur-driven buyers.
The middle seat is considerably less accommodating. The raised seat base compromises headroom, the backrest is firm, and the tall central tunnel further detracts from comfort for a third passenger.
Boot space is rated at 500 litres, which is broadly similar to the ICE 5 Series. However, while the spare wheel is neatly tucked beneath the boot floor in the petrol version, it sits on the boot floor in the i5, significantly compromising usable luggage space.
BMW i5 LWB Features and Safety
The i5 eDrive35L comes generously equipped. Highlights include 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlamps, powered and ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control, wireless charging pads for both front and rear occupants, a panoramic fixed glass roof, ambient lighting and a powered boot lid.
The curved touchscreen and digital instrument cluster look suitably futuristic, although the user experience isn't the most intuitive due to the number of menus and sub-menus. On the plus side, the 360-degree camera offers excellent clarity. Audiophiles will particularly appreciate the superb 17-speaker, 655W Bowers & Wilkins audio system.
The i5 also gets a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking.
However, there are a few omissions that chauffeur-driven buyers may find difficult to overlook. A head-up display is absent, while smaller but genuinely useful features such as rear window sunshades, reclining rear seats, soft-close doors, a boss mode for the front passenger seat and rear-seat audio controls are all missing.
BMW i5 LWB Performance and Refinement
The rear-wheel-drive i5 eDrive35L uses a single electric motor producing 272hp and 410Nm, figures that are remarkably similar to the mild-hybrid 530Li. However, the way it delivers its performance is entirely different. With peak torque available instantly, responses are smooth, effortless and distinctly EV-like. There are multiple drive modes on offer, each altering throttle response. Sport sharpens reactions noticeably, while Efficient is the most relaxed and efficiency-focused setting.
BMW claims a 0-100kph time of 6.7 seconds, although our best run yielded 6.99 seconds. Interestingly, the 530Li is marginally quicker, recording 6.45 seconds for the same sprint, and it is also slightly faster in our 20-80kph and 40-100kph acceleration tests.
The i5’s top speed is rated at 195kph, although acceleration begins to taper off noticeably beyond 100kph. In short, acceleration isn't neck-snappingly quick, but there's more than enough performance to keep things entertaining within legal limits.
The i5 also offers multiple regenerative braking settings, including Adaptive, High, Mid and Low. Of these, Adaptive stands out for its excellent calibration, intelligently varying regeneration and coasting based on traffic and road conditions. There's also a dedicated one-pedal 'B' mode, selectable via the drive selector. It delivers regeneration comparable to the High setting but, unlike it, can bring the car to a complete stop without requiring any brake pedal input.
Braking performance itself is strong, although keen drivers may wish for a little more feel from the pedal. The transition between regenerative and mechanical braking leaves it feeling somewhat numb.
BMW i5 LWB Range and Efficiency
BMW claims the i5's 81.6kWh battery (net capacity is 76.3kWh) can deliver a range of up to 669km, a figure that appears rather optimistic. In our real-world range tests, the i5 eDrive35L returned an average efficiency of 5.06km/kWh, translating to an estimated range of 386km. It's worth noting that the car was driven in its most efficiency-focused ‘Efficient’ mode throughout the test, with regenerative braking set to Adaptive.
We also connected the battery to a 60kW DC fast charger, where it took 47 minutes to charge from 20-80 percent state of charge. BMW additionally supplies a complimentary AC wallbox charger along with installation.
BMW i5 LWB Ride Comfort and Handling
With every successive generation, the 5 Series has become softer and more comfort-focused, and the i5 is arguably the most luxurious iteration yet. Despite riding on larger 20-inch wheels with lower-profile tyres than the petrol-powered 530Li, ride quality is seriously impressive. The i5 feels plush and remarkably absorbent over typical urban roads. Notably, it also benefits from rear air suspension, a feature absent on the 530Li.
In addition to the extended wheelbase, BMW has increased ground clearance by 18mm compared to the global standard-wheelbase model. The result is a luxury sedan that's far better suited to Indian conditions. Even with four occupants on board, the i5 clears most speed breakers without drama. As a luxury car, then, it unquestionably gets the fundamentals right.
However, the softer suspension setup and increased ground clearance have diluted some of the driver-focused character that defined earlier generations of the 5 Series. While it retains a near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution and rear-wheel-drive layout, there's no escaping the fact that, in prioritising comfort and practicality, BMW has sacrificed a measure of the sharpness and precision that once made the 5 Series a benchmark for driving enthusiasts.
BMW i5 LWB Price and Verdict
At Rs 79.60 lakh, the locally assembled i5 LWB has all the ingredients to become BMW India's next EV success story alongside the iX1. With the i5 eDrive35L, BMW continues its successful long-wheelbase formula, maximising cabin space while building upon the strengths of the petrol-powered 5 Series, with which it shares much of its cabin, equipment and overall character. Buyers can also opt for extended warranty and prepaid maintenance packages of up to 10 years, in addition to the standard eight-year battery warranty.
That said, much like its petrol-powered sibling, some of the traditional 5 Series driving feel has been diluted. It also misses a few feel-good features, particularly those aimed at rear-seat occupants. More importantly, the spare wheel's placement on the boot floor significantly compromises luggage-carrying ability.
So, is it worth paying the Rs 3 lakh premium over the petrol-powered 5 Series? The answer largely depends on your usage. The i5 eDrive35L makes sense for buyers registering it under a company name, thanks to the higher depreciation benefits available for EVs. It also suits those who cover significant distances and can take advantage of lower running costs. Generous cabin space, comfortable seats, a plush ride, respectable range and effortless performance make the i5 eDrive35L a compelling electric luxury sedan for buyers shopping in this segment.
Soham Thakur
Nikhil Bhatia
Jay Patil
Gavin DSouza
