BMW’s i5 estate is such a joy to drive that it even trumps the saloon
Touring shades it for room and poise on variety of roads
The danger with instantly liking a car is that you can overlook the failings while energetically accentuating the positives.
It takes a bit of discipline to go looking for the drawbacks with the usual vim and vigour needed to convey a balanced assessment.
That may very well be the case with the new BMW i5 electric Touring (estate). Or, to give the tested model its full name, the i5 eDrive 40 M Sport Pro Touring.
I was only 10 minutes behind the wheel when I told my fellow passenger: “I really like this car. Really like it.”
Even more than the saloon version, I have to say, despite the fact they are hugely similar in all areas except, obviously, the longer roof and extra glass for the estate.
Wheelbase, for example, remains at 2,995mm. The car is also a member of the five-metre-long club. That is substantial, but it never felt unbalanced or bulky despite the demands placed on it.
So I’m still looking for a major flaw. I know I am going against the tide by favouring the Touring because, as a buying public, we are not that fond of estates.
If there was ever a chance of that, the advent of SUVs and crossovers put paid to the possibility quite quickly. That’s a pity because an estate can be so versatile and practical too.
Needless to say, this is the first all-electric 5-Series Touring. It is also bigger than the outgoing model (97mm added to make it 5,060mm – hence the five-metre membership).
Additionally, it is 32mm wider (1,900mm) and 17mm higher (1,515mm).
The upward figures don’t end there, as it has the longest wheelbase in its class (up by 20mm to 2,995mm). This is as cohesive a package as you’ll find. It even doles out more boot space (570 litres is up from 490 in the saloon). If you flatten the rear seats you get a barnyard volume of 1,700 litres.
The only thing that is down a bit from the saloon is the range – 560km on a single charge as opposed to 575km for the saloon. I can’t criticise that, can I? Still looking for something to whinge about.
The battery capacity is 81.2kWh and the 340hp electric motor drives the rear wheels. Of course it’s rear-wheel-drive; it’s a Beemer after all.
I didn’t need to charge it over the course of my drives, but BMW says if I did, it is capable of recharging exceptionally quickly (205kW max on DC power).
I had a wonderful drive in it to the midlands and back. After a slight detour to give it a long run over rougher, narrower roads, I liked it even more.
It was smooth, quiet, responsive, quick and engaging, thanks in good measure to the combination of 50:50 front-rear weight distribution, M Sport suspension (rear-axle air, including automatic self-levelling) and BMW’s ability to produce a class-leading chassis.
The spec on my test car had the brilliantly packaged curved display, which has all the info and entertainment options you’ll ever want. And the interaction bar (part of the ambient lighting) set a nice vibe in the cabin.
Black sapphire metallic paint set off the exterior, along with a stylishly muted grille (given the outlandish ones on some BMWs) while black Veganza (vegan) upholstery adorned the cabin along with carbon-fibre silver threads for a high-gloss interior trim.
There was a glass sunroof to let plenty of light in and it didn’t affect headroom.
Other items included Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system and 20-inch alloys. The technology pack includes parking assistant, live cockpit with head-up display.
There is a technology plus pack, comfort plus pack (ventilated front seats, travel/comfort system, heated front/ rear seats, four-zone air con), M Sport suspension, additional M Sport package pro, charging cable professional (mode 3), eDrive exterior sound, adaptive LED headlights and storage for wireless charging.
My basic vehicle price was €96,570. With packages and optional equipment of €16,765, the total is €113,335 (includes Vat of €19,828 and VRT of €7,299). Aha! There’s my gripe. For me, it’s pricey at €113,335. Even the i5 variant entry price of €92,880 is a lot.
I know, I know – it’s a lot of car. But I have to have something to gripe about.