BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring real world range test
The BMW 5-Series Touring is one of the best-selling premium estates in the last 35 years and therefore a new model generation is a big thing in the industry. Even more so because for the first time ever, BMW is selling the 5-Series Touring as a fully electric vehicle in the new G60 generation.
The car we are testing today is the BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring, which comes with 601 hp and 605 lb-ft. So while it will certainly enable some spirited driving today we'll be focusing on the range and efficiency it can deliver.
BMW gave the i5 a battery with 81.2 kWh usable capacity. Its big size, estate shape and powerful motors mean the i5 M60 is not expected to be the most frugal EV out there, but let’s see how the Bavarian performs on our range test course.
We drove our usual test routes, doing the same track both ways at constant speeds at the same place as with every other car we test. The ambient temperature while testing the i5 M60 was 52°F. These are alright conditions, although obviously somewhat colder than the ideal. Still it's better than what the standard i5 got, giving the Touring a slight edge. If you want to compare the two in identical scenarios - the widget at the bottom will come in helpful.
At our lowest testing speed of 37 mph the i5 Touring shows great efficiency and is even comparable to smaller and less powerful models. At this slower pace the distance that can be traveled on a single charge amounts to 407 miles. This is a great result for a car of this size and weight, but some rivals go longer thanks to their bigger batteries.
Range test results
- 37 mph
- 56 mph
- 81 mph
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+
BMW i7 xDrive60
Maserati Grecale Folgore
BMW i5 M60 Touring
Tesla Model S 75D (2018, used)
BMW i5
Mercedes-Benz EQE AMG 43 4Matic
Once we move on to the next speed of 56 mph the i5 M60 Touring's size is having a more noticeable effect. Its flat rear end makes for worse aerodynamics compared to the i5 sedan and the consumption difference between the two models tightens, despite the i5 sedan being tested in much colder conditions.
At the highest testing speed of 81 mph the i5 Touring demonstrates the fact that the added practicality of the wagon body shape brings a significant decrease in efficiency with itself. The Touring nearly matched the sedan despite enjoying far superior temperatures. Therefore, if you plan on often going on high-speed drives with your i5 and demand the highest efficiency, the i5 sedan is clearly a better choice than the i5 Touring.
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is focused more on the performance benefits of this powertrain, which we’ll discuss in the detailed review of the model, which is coming out soon. As for efficiency, well, the i5 M60 Touring does more than great for a vehicle with 601 hp and AWD and will be a fantastic choice for families and businesses around the globe.
Still, if your main concern is going the furthest per charge, some rivals like the Mercedes EQE or the new Audi S6 Avant e-tron are a better choice thanks to their bigger battery capacities. The BMW i5 M60 Touring has other virtues, but is not a range champion.
We now suggest you use the widget below to find out the BMW i5 M60 Touring’s range in every combination of speed and temperature you might need. We've used our real world tests and developed a complex model to provide an estimate that should be as close to the actual performance as possible.
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