Loading comparison
BMW i5 vs Tesla Model S
Selected trimeDrive40 M SportChange trim357 mi · 83.9 kWh · £67,795
Selected trimDual Motor · 2023-26Change trimNot available · 100 kWh · £95,480
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i5 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Tesla Model S stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i5 if...
- 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.
Value
BMW
5.6
Tesla
5.6
Too close to call
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.4
Tesla
0
FamilyBMW
BMW
7.6
Tesla
6.4
ChargingBMW
BMW
5.2
Tesla
4.6
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
6.4
Tesla
0
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Tesla Model S
Dual Motor
- 255 litres more boot space
- 45 kW faster rapid charging
- 3.9s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.5 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £67,795 (better) | £95,480 |
| Official range | 357 miles | Not available |
| Boot space | 490 L | 745 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min (better) | 31 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6 sec | 2.1 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
BMW i5
Tesla Model S
Length
BMW i55,060mm
Tesla Model S4,970mm-90mm
Width
BMW i51,900mm-64mm
Tesla Model S1,964mm
Height
BMW i51,515mm
Tesla Model S1,445mm-70mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,970 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,900 mm (better) | 1,964 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,189 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.3 m | 11.8 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 500 mm spare (better) | 436 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L | 745 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1645 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 150 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i5
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Tesla Model S
- 1st-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 745 L.
- A 150 L frunk, one of 3 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 150 L or more.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport |  Tesla Model S Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5.06m | 4.97m-90mm |
| Width | 1.90m | 1.96m+64mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.19m |
| Height | 1.51m | 1.45m-70mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.00m | 2.96m-35mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 137mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L | 745L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1645L |
| Frunk | Not available | 150L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.3m | 11.8m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,195kg (better) | 2,256kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh | 100kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 357 mi | Not available |
| Max DC Charge | 205kW | 250kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £67,795 (better) | £95,480 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2023+ | 2023–2026 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 357 miles | Not available |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 297 miles | Not available |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min (better) | 31 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 205 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 22 kW (better) | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 81.2 kWh | 95 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NCA |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6 sec | 2.1 sec (better) |
| Power | 250 kW | Not available |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 1020 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW i5
eDrive40 M Sport
Tesla Model S
Dual Motor
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 - Tesla Model S Dual Motor
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant94%
Child Occupant91%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist98%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 240,000 km (better) |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model S
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model S worth the extra £27,685 over the BMW i5?
The Tesla Model S costs £27,685 more than the BMW i5. For that premium it adds 45 kW faster peak rapid charging, 255 litres more boot space and a 3.9s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i5 or the Tesla Model S?
The BMW i5 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 64 mm narrower than the Tesla Model S. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 500 mm of total clearance for the BMW i5 and about 436 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model S. The Tesla Model S also turns in a 0.5 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 Tesla Model S?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i5 and 84% for the Tesla Model S. 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 Tesla Model S 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 Tesla Model S rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Tesla Model S rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Tesla Model S rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Tesla Model S rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i5 and Tesla Model S rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW i5 and Tesla Model S rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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 Tesla Model S (2014-2020): Versions, Warranty, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Tesla Model S buyer’s guide: 85 to 100D, Long Range and Performance explained, which cars have lost the battery warranty, the media unit recall, free Supercharging, owner-reported repairs, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .