BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring review

BMW's 5-series debuted some 50 years ago and each generation has demonstrated the pinnacle of the company's engineering at its time. The model is one of the most recognized today and arguably the most important release by the company in each generation. We already met the new G61 iteration in its sedan form and today we'll assess how good the Touring version is.

Table of Contents:

• Exterior
• Interior
• Storage & practicalities
• Driving experience
• Tech features
• Ride comfort
• Cabin noise
• Acceleration and braking
• Consumption
• Charging speed
• Competition
• Verdict

The BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring we have here is the first fully-electric wagon by BMW. It comes with the same power figures as the outgoing M5 at 601 hp and 605 lb-ft. The power is sent to the wheels through two electric motors in the front and back, enabling a 0 to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds.

Looking at the specs sheet the Touring adds more luggage space, new design and a slightly shorter range compared to the sedan. But we'll now see how far these changes go in real life.

BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring 2024 -

• Dimensions: 199.2 inches x 74.8 inches x 59.3 inches, 117.9 inches wheelbase.
• Drivetrain tested: M60 xDrive - AWD 442 kW (601 hp), 605 lb-ft, 83.9 kWh total battery capacity, 81.2 kWh usable battery capacity
• Other drivetrains: eDrive40 - RWD 250 kW (340 hp), 317 lb-ft, 83.9 kWh total battery capacity, 81.2 kWh usable battery capacity
• Charging: 205 kW CCS
• Range: 314 miles WLTP
• Weight: 5,346 lb unladen, 6,526 lb gross
• Other features: Air-console games, Autonomous steering, Augmented reality, OTA updates.

Exterior

The G61 generation of the 5-Series comes with polarizing looks, though perhaps not as much as some of its siblings. The new 5-series is longer and taller than its predecessor, but the most substantial change is the weight, which in the case of the i5 M60 approaches 2.5 tonnes.

The front remains unchanged from the regular i5 M60 and carries on with the angular design and sharp features. It doesn't integrate the "beaver" look some of the other BMW models have, yet it still polarizes with its glowing grille and narrow headlights.

The M treatment of the i5 gives it a much-needed aggressive bumper with vents and cutouts, which is appropriate for a BMW with 600 hp.

The side profile of the i5 M60 Touring is the first main change that differentiates it from the sedan version. Whether it looks better or worse is a matter of taste, but the Touring version looks much more imposing on the road with its further elongated cabin and overall bigger size.

While on the side we have to share our dislike for door handles, which adopt an old-school design like the 90s models, and yet are much more complicated than some recent Bavarian models.

The 19" wheels on our test car are on the lower end of the available range (18-21"), but they look alright - the interesting design and black color somewhat offsetting the low wheel/tire ratio. Plus you get better comfort and efficiency.

Unsurprisingly, the rear is where the Touring and the sedan differ the most. The i5 M60 Touring comes with new tail lights (still the same style) and a much bigger trunk opening to ensure easy access to the huge trunk and easy access.

One thing that we miss from previous BMW 5-Series generations is the split-open tailgate that allowed you to open the rear window separately for putting smaller objects inside without opening the entire tailgate.

Interior

We already thoroughly reviewed the G60 BMW 5-Series's interior, so here we'll mainly focus on the elements exclusive to the Touring version.

The frontal part of the cabin features the iDrive 8.5 with a layout identical to virtually all other BMW models right now.

The steering wheel has the same design as the more luxurious 7-Series, but is made out of worse materials. Frankly, this shouldn’t be the case as it is still an expensive and prestigious vehicle and arguably the most important element in the cabin shouldn't be the one where cost-cutting takes place.

This theme continues on the door sills, which once again mimic the design of the 7-Series, but with cheaper plastics. With the new 5 has on the market for some time already, online forums already feature some complaints about these materials showing signs of wear.

Material quality is low and is even starting to show some wear after just over 6 months of usage.

On a more positive note, the build quality is exceptional throughout the interior and there are no squeaks or rattles at any time. The materials besides the ones we mentioned are solid, and suit the heritage and pricing of the vehicle.

The dashboard integrates crystals and looks distinctive due to the rich ambient lighting. It creates a nice and welcoming atmosphere, we've come to associate with all new BMW models.

Sadly, all 5-Series trims and interior styles come with a significant amount of piano black plastics in the interior, mainly in the center console. While this looks great initially, it attracts way too many fingerprints and dust particles, so we would have preferred to have an option without it.

The center display and the gauge cluster are combined in a single giant unit that sticks out of the dashboard. While it may not be as visually pleasing as previous BMW screens, this one feels significantly more modern to use and has a huge screen with great resolution and excellent responsiveness.

Rear passengers, they get a slightly different experience than in the sedan version. Headroom is slightly extended, but you hear a bit more road and wind noises due to the more exposed cabin.

Legroom can only be described as okay, as the seat is way too low to the ground, causing your knees to hang into the air. Our 1.95 m (6'4") tall reviewer demonstrates just how much they lift for taller people, but the case stands for much shorter passengers as well.

Other than that, rear passengers enjoy some nice luxuries like separate climate controls and heated seats.

There are some hooks on the seat backs of the front seats, which allow you to mount different accessories like a tablet holder, coat hanger and others, which BMW sells separately.

Storage & practicalities

The main reason one may choose the BMW i5 Touring over the sedan will be the bigger trunk. The huge opening and boxy shape allow for full utilization of that as well.

We did a review showcasing the differences between the two variants, so now we’ll present only the raw digits. With a trunk space of 20.1 ft³ the i5 Touring offers good space for the segment, especially combined with the additional smaller pockets, hooks and secondary floor.

Trunk space is generous

With the seats folded down, the space bumps to the amazing 60 ft³ and the boxy shape of the rear allows for easy loading of big objects like fridges and washing machines.

Sadly, BMW doesn’t offer a frunk (front trunk), even though there seems to be plenty of space under the hood.

Driving experience

On the road, the i5 M60 xDrive Touring feels like a normal vehicle and doesn't require any sort of special adjustments to your style. The steering wheel feels direct while cornering, but doesn’t really let you feel the road surface, which makes it great for long-distance travels. The overall sensation while driving is tight and sharp, despite the car's size and weight.

Corners provoke body roll and that is to be expected of a huge wagon, but the i5 remains centered and stable in all kinds of conditions. Predictability is great and if you decide to push it to its limits, it is very easy to find the tipping point and enjoy the i5 to its full potential.

The i5 M60 is a quick vehicle that feels light on its toes in normal driving and accelerating, which is a remarkable feat for such a heavy car. Weight can still be sensed when braking, as the whole body continues to travel and the weight wobbles around, as well as when pushing the car to its limits and the tires eventually give up.

The Touring shape actually doesn’t hinder the i5's performance in any way and only if you drive both vehicles back-to-back, can you ever sense the little differences between them and that is a tremendous achievement.

For daily driving, the i5 offers sensational comfort and it even manages to make up for its size very well thanks to the rear-wheel steering. This makes tight city maneuvers a breeze and parking is as easy as it gets. The four-wheel steering also makes the i5 more stable when cornering at speed on the highway.

The driving assistants in new BMW models can be quite annoying and the i5 M60 is no exception. Luckily, if you hold the "set" button on the steering wheel for a few seconds, the lane assist turns off and you can add a shortcut in the infotainment for all the other assistants you might not enjoy while driving.

One great assistant, however, is the lane-changing autopilot, which can be useful on those long highway drives, as it steers the vehicle in whichever direction you turn your blinkers. The built-in camera in the dashboard also monitors your eyes and if you check your mirrors, the i5 will automatically merge into the next lane for you. It isn't a groundbreaking feature, but a nice addition that really delivers a more relaxed driving experience

Tech features

BMW's most recent iDrive 8.5 system is featured on the roomy infotainment display. Touching the display, using the crystal knobs in the center console, or even voice instructions can be used to navigate the primary screen.

We have delved into the capabilities of that system in our BMW i5 M60 review, as well as in the Mini Cooper SE, but we will still list the most notable features.

BMW's ConnectedServices in the i5 Touring M60 give internet connectivity and a range of online features, but it's important to note that this is now a subscription service instead of being free like it was in the past. The car can access the newest features and get over-the-air (OTA) updates thanks to ConnectedServices. It also makes it possible for the integrated navigation system to get traffic info and display news.

In fact, the i5 has a plethora of subscription-based services, including the ones mentioned above. It's a tough pill to swallow , especially in a vehicle that costs as much. We understand it makes sense financially for BMW and this way they can continue profiting off of older vehicles, but as a customer this model creates a lot of frustration.

Another not-so-great part is the lack of physical buttons for the climate controls. The i5 incorporates all the controls in the display and with so many options in one place it can be pretty distracting to operate while driving. Some of the frequently-used options like seat heating/cooling and temperature setting remain on the lower part of the screen at all times, so that you can have easier access, but it’s still more cumbersome than regular buttons.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work seamlessly on the huge 14.9” screen in the center, giving you detailed views of all your apps. Looking at the navigation is a delight due to the crisp quality and huge images.

Ride comfort

The ride of the i5 M60 Touring is slightly different from the sedan we tested. It's slightly cushier to counter the heavier loads that can be carried inside the Touring. Body roll is present in excess, but still the ride feels stable in corners and not too stiff when going over bumps. This is partly due to the shape of the i5 Touring, but also the sheer weight of the car has to fight with the laws of physics. Ride comfort is balanced in a sensible way and better than most competitors in the segment.

Cabin noise

The cabin of the i5 M60 Touring is well-insulated and thanks to the great build quality, the inside feels quiet and calm. It is slightly noisier than the sedan version due to the body shape and the exposed trunk, but is still a great quiet place around the city. At high speeds the poorer aerodynamics take a heavier toll, but overall the i5 Touring performs splendidly.

Sound level tests are carried out with a specialized sound level meter placed in the car's cupholders. The test is conducted with air conditioning and radio off and while maintaining a steady speed.

Acceleration and braking

The BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring has just over 600 hp and 605 lb-ft, which propels it to 62 mph from a standstill in just 3.8 seconds on our test track. This is a bit quicker than the manufacturer stated number, but our testing was conducted with winter tires at low temperature, so therefore we suppose even better numbers are achievable. Acceleration stays strong up until around 112 mph when it drastically worsens as expected for such a huge vehicle.

Braking is not inspiring at all and doesn’t suit a premium car like the i5, let alone a version with such insane acceleration figures. The brakes are small for the vehicle and quickly give up under load, but they also don't inspire much confidence even early in the stop. This subjective feeling was confirmed by our test, where the i5 M60 needed 39 m (128 ft) to stop from 62 mph. In our previous review we didn’t get to test braking in proper conditions and therefore concluded that the brakes were hindered by the conditions, but even now in great weather nes the brakes are simply sub-par.

Acceleration and deceleration are measured with a RaceBox device inside the car. Testing is done with a single person inside the car, with air conditioning and traction control off.

Consumption

Efficiency is great in the i5 M60 Touring, despite its huge size and heavy weight. However the overall range is satisfactory at best, as some rivals offer similar efficiency, but paired to a bigger battery. The good news is the results we got are impressively close to the sedan version. We already did a comprehensive range test and comparison between the sedan and touring, so feel free to check them out for more detailed analysis.

We measure consumption by driving at constant speeds on an identical test route during the day. Testing is conducted with air conditioning, all safety systems and radio on. The data comes from the vehicle's board computer. Specific testing parameters such as ambient temperature are mentioned in the text on a case by case basis.

You can use the widget below to find out the BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring’s range in every combination of speed and temperature you might need. We've used our real world tests and a complex model to provide an estimate that should be as close to the actual performance as possible.

Charging speed

Charging is just as good as promised and the i5 M60 xDrive Touring charges with the optimal speeds even in cold weather and a battery that’s not preconditioned. The 205 kW charging speed is easily reached and the 10-80% charge was completed in exactly 30 minutes, just what BMW promised. This isn’t the quickest charging time, but it's remarkable that the car is able to fulfill it in all kinds of conditions.

Competition

The BMW i5 finds itself in a good position as it is among the first electric wagons and as such will inevitably be desired by many customers who seek those capabilities. Its big size, luxurious interior and great tech allow it to be competitive even to some SUVs, but without the added bulkiness.

The closest rival of the i5 Touring is the Audi A6/S6 Avant. Both vehicles are German and have been rivals for decades, fighting for the upper middle class buyer. The Audi is more modern and offers better on-board technology, as well as less controversial styling. However, the BMW is more simplistic inside and has more trunk space, which is a key deciding factor for a wagon.

As a second competitor of the i5 Touring we will look at the Tesla Model S. It is a much older vehicle inside and out, but offers great virtues like autopilot, quick acceleration in all variants and fantastic global charging network. Despite its non-wagon design, the Tesla offers significantly more trunk space (yet not as usable due to the shape) than both German wagons, but they offer much better interior quality in exchange, as well as much more individualization options.

Audi S6 Avant e-tron 2024 - • Tesla Model S Long Range 2021 -

Verdict

BMW is a company with a rich heritage in the premium wagons and the 5-Series has been a staple of luxury and sport for decades. The G61 generation builds on that and carries it into the new era by introducing an electric drivetrain for the first time, as well as all kinds of upgrades compared to the predecessor.

The BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring combines practicality with luxury in a fabulous manner, while also adding ridiculous acceleration and a sprinkle of sportiness while driving. It is a balanced all-around vehicle and continues the long tradition of being good at every aspect even if it doesn't neccessirly top any chart. Build quality has improved drastically inside, but sadly material choices are not as good as in previous generations.

The polarizing looks get the people talking and the publicity this car generates is immense. This makes the i5 unique in a world of bland vehicles and a great choice if you want a sensible mix of practicality, luxury, acceleration and sportiness all in one vehicle.

Pros

• Big and usable trunk space.
• Huge and practical center screen.
• Direct steering feedback.
• Quick acceleration.
• Great handling.
• Rich interior equipment options.
• Tremendous build quality.

Cons

• Sub-par braking.
• Cheap materials in key interior areas.
• No split-opening tailgate.
• Low range on a single charge for its segment.
• Polarizing looks.