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BMW i5 vs BMW i7 (2022-2026)
Selected trimeDrive40 M SportChange trim357 mi · 83.9 kWh · £67,795
Selected trimxDrive60 · 2022-26Change trim388 mi · 105.7 kWh · £110,545
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i5 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the BMW i7 stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i5 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i5 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Valuei5
i5
5.6
i7
3.8
Motorway Rangei5
i5
5.4
i7
4.9
Familyi5
i5
7.6
i7
3.6
Chargingi5
i5
5.2
i7
2.9
Cost Per Milei5
i5
6.4
i7
2.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
Size Comparison
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BMW i5
BMW i7
Length
BMW i55,060mm-331mm
BMW i75,391mm
Width
BMW i51,900mm-50mm
BMW i71,950mm
Height
BMW i51,515mm-29mm
BMW i71,544mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | BMW i7xDrive60 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,391 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,900 mm (better) | 1,950 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,192 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,544 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.3 m (better) | 13.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 500 mm spare (better) | 450 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i5
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
BMW i7
- At 5,391 mm, longer than 95% of saloon EVs we track.
- 3,215 mm wheelbase, longer than 95% of saloon EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport |  BMW i7 xDrive60 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5.06m | 5.39m+331mm |
| Width | 1.90m | 1.95m+50mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.19m |
| Height | 1.51m | 1.54m+29mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.00m | 3.21m+220mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L | 500L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.3m (better) | 13.1m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,195kg (better) | 2,715kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh | 105.7kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 357 mi | 388 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 205kW (better) | 195kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £67,795 (better) | £110,545 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2023+ | 2022–2026 |
* BMW i7: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | BMW i7xDrive60 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 357 miles | 388 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 297 miles | 323 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min (better) | 34 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 205 kW (better) | 195 kW |
| Home AC charging | 22 kW (better) | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 81.2 kWh | 101.7 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW i5
eDrive40 M Sport
BMW i7
xDrive60
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BMW i5
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users86%
Safety Assist78%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - BMW i7 xDrive60
BMW i7 xDrive60
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
BMW i5
eDrive40 M Sport
Owners love
- Owners describe it as superbly refined and stable on the motorway, and more relaxing than a Tesla Model 3.
- It feels like a proper 5 Series to drive, with a composed ride and good balance for its size.
- Owners report better real-world range than they expected: about 220-280 miles in winter and over 300 in summer on the eDrive40.
Watch out for
- Many owners point to cost-cutting inside: unlined door pockets, no sill plates, one wireless charging pad and cheaper stalks than the previous 5 Series.
- It is very long and wide, which makes parking and narrow roads awkward.
- Useful equipment such as adaptive cruise control, the surround cameras and rear heated seats came in expensive option packs.
Owner tips
- Choose 19-inch wheels rather than 20-inch for range and ride.
- Check which option packs a used car has: adaptive cruise and the surround cameras were not standard.
BMW i7
xDrive60
Owners love
- Exceptionally smooth, quiet and comfortable, with standout rear-seat luxury.
- Air suspension and rear-wheel steering make it feel smaller than it is, with a good turning circle.
- Owners report over 300 miles of real range, so charging stops are rare on long trips.
Watch out for
- At about 5.4 metres long it is hard to park in UK spaces and multi-storey car parks.
- The styling divides opinion sharply.
- Rapid charging, at up to 195 kW, is slower than some rivals.
Owner tips
- Measure your garage and regular parking spaces before you buy.
- Check which options the car has: equipment varies widely and decides much of the price.
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
BMW i7
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i7 worth the extra £42,750 over the BMW i5?
The BMW i7 costs £42,750 more than the BMW i5. For that premium it adds 31 miles more WLTP range, 150 kW more power and a 1.3s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i5 or the BMW i7?
The BMW i5 is £42,750 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £160 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BMW i5 comes out roughly £42,870 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i5 and BMW i7 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 297 miles for the BMW i5 and 323 miles for the BMW i7 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW i7 goes roughly 26 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-34 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i5 or the BMW i7?
The BMW i5 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 50 mm narrower than the BMW i7. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 500 mm of total clearance for the BMW i5 and about 450 mm of total clearance for the BMW i7. The BMW i5 also turns in a 0.8 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i5 or the BMW i7?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i5 and 84% for the BMW i7. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i5 comparisons
More BMW i7 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i5 and BMW i7 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i5 and BMW i7 rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW i5 and BMW i7 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i5 and BMW i7 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i5 and BMW i7 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i5 and BMW i7 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i5 (2023 on): eDrive40 vs M60, Saloon vs Touring, Recalls & What to Pay
A used BMW i5 buyer’s guide: eDrive40 or M60, saloon or Touring, the option packs to check, the braking-system recall, battery warranty left, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i7 (2022-2026): eDrive50 vs xDrive60 vs M70, Recalls & What to Pay
A used BMW i7 buyer’s guide: eDrive50, xDrive60 and M70 xDrive explained, the 2026 facelift, the braking and steering recalls, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .