BMW i5 Touring - long-term review

Well played BMW, well played, you got me thinking EVs might just work. Regular readers will know I’m not the biggest EV fan in the world, but I chose to run this car due to my previous experience of BMW EVs. And the i5 Touring didn’t disappoint. It’s not perfect, but it shows great promise.

BMW claims up to 338 miles on a full charge but in the real world it was about 250-300 in the summer and then winter knocked it down - like it does for all EVs - to about 200-250 depending on the journey. To be honest, I don’t work very well in the winter either. The best thing was I never ever experienced range anxiety. If the dial says 234 miles, you’ll know you’ll do 234 miles. That’s pivotal for EV running in my opinion.

It was long too. Too long? Maybe. At 5m, of which the bonnet seemed almost a third of that, it felt unnecessary, but this must accommodate an engine too. For a car this big, I expected a bit more space in the back. If your passengers have long legs, just call shotgun before they do. Parking it? That’s a different story. You’ll need your bus driving license and tight multi-storey car parks become a test of nerves. Even four-wheel steer didn’t help. We opted for a white interior which... I wouldn’t recommend.

This thing is comfortable though. The adaptive suspension soaks up the UK’s shocking potholed roads, the cabin is whisper-quiet, and even after hours on the road, I always would step out feeling fresh. It’s one of those cars that makes long-distance driving feel effortless. The iDrive 8.5 system is good, even if there's a lot going on and app icons that will need your monocle popping back in, lots of 'engine modes' including Personal, Sport, Efficient, Expressive and Digital Art, the latter being one to avoid. All in association with a Hans Zimmer soundtrack. Hours of fun, and hours of fun playing the in-car games while charging.

I thought I’d merely tolerate the i5 Touring. Instead, I’ve loved it. It’s quiet, smooth, effortlessly quick, and packed with tech. Sure, it’s long, and the rear legroom isn’t amazing, but the pros massively outweigh the cons.

Does it do everything an old school 500+ miles 520d does? No. Would I buy one? Yes, but not at that price. Has it converted me? Possibly. But what I do know is, I think BMW make the best EVs out there. Change my mind.