DecodedCars2026 BMW i5
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems β with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Engines
- Electric motor
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- EV
- EV range
- 310 mi Β· 8 h on 240 V
- Length
- β
- Curb weight
- β
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Long EV rangeUp to 310 miles on a charge (EPA).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 12 similar 2026 models β not a review. How we calculate this β
Overview
The 2026 BMW i5 is a compact car powered by electricity and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 310 miles and takes about 8 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2026
- Longest EV range up from 295 to 310 miles
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 i5 β
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | COβ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i5 eDrive40 Sedan (19 inch Wheels) EV | 250 kW EESM | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 310 mi Β· 30.6096 kWh/100mi | β | $700 | β |
| i5 eDrive40 Sedan (20 inch Wheels) EV | 250 kW EESM | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 300 mi Β· 31.7381 kWh/100mi | β | $700 | β |
| i5 M60 xDrive Sedan (19 inch Wheels) EV | 192 and 250 kW EESM | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 277 mi Β· 34.1426 kWh/100mi | β | $750 | β |
| i5 eDrive40 Sedan (21 inch Wheels) EV | 250 kW EESM | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 278 mi Β· 34.4815 kWh/100mi | β | $800 | β |
| i5 xDrive40 Sedan (19 inch Wheels) EV | 190 and 230 kW EESM | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 278 mi Β· 34.3752 kWh/100mi | β | $750 | β |
| i5 xDrive40 Sedan (20 inch Wheels) EV | 190 and 230 kW EESM | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 272 mi Β· 35.2224 kWh/100mi | β | $800 | β |
| i5 M60 xDrive Sedan (20 inch Wheels) EV | 192 and 250 kW EESM | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 266 mi Β· 35.8185 kWh/100mi | β | $800 | β |
| i5 xDrive40 Sedan (21 inch Wheels) EV | 190 and 230 kW EESM | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 259 mi Β· 37.2045 kWh/100mi | β | $850 | β |
| i5 M60 xDrive Sedan (21 inch Wheels) EV | 192 and 250 kW EESM | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 259 mi Β· 37.1253 kWh/100mi | β | $850 | β |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this β
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 BMW i5.
Similar 2026 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 BMW i5 (this car) | 310 mi | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 BMW 3 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus IS | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Porsche Taycan | 315 mi | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 BMW 2 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 BMW i4 | 333 mi | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Electrical System βΊ Wiring Β· Feb 19, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V096000 Β· 58,713 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 M5 Sportswagon, 2025-2026 M5, 2024-2025 750e xDrive, 2025-2026 550e xDrive, 2023-2025 I7, 2023-2025 7 Series, 2024-2026 i5, and 5 Series vehicles. The electrical wiring harness for the air conditioning system may become damaged during replacement of the cabin air filter.
- Risk
- A damaged wiring harness can short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the air conditioning systemΓ’ΒΒs electrical wiring harness and add a retaining strap/bracket to the harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 13, 2026.
Not every 2026 BMW i5 is affected β only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other i5 years
Compare all years βSources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this β