2026 BMW i5 xDrive40 real life range test with 19-inch wheels and summer tires
The BMW 5-Series is one of the most popular luxury sedans worldwide. We already drove the top trim M60 xDrive models in the BMW i5 sedan and Touring lineup but today we’ll test how efficient the mid-range xDrive40 version is and if it is the smarter choice to buy over its more powerful counterparts.
The difference of about $29,300 between the xDrive40 and M60 xDrive is quite steep. The quick models were all tested during the winter so their achievements should be taken with a pinch of salt. If you want to check out how they would perform in ideal conditions, check out our range estimation tool at the bottom, which allows you to select speed and temperature to establish the range you can achieve in all kinds of conditions.
We drove our usual test routes, doing the same track both ways at constant speeds at the same pace as with every other car we test. The ambient temperature while testing the 2026 BMW i5 xDrive40 was 73°F, which is the perfect weather to perform such testing.
A full review of the 2026 BMW i5 xDrive40 is coming soon, but feel free to first check out how we assessed the M60 version.
Based on the values we get in the testing, we are able to provide a real world range widget. You can use it to simulate a wide variety of conditions and adapt the values to your liking in order to check out how the car will perform in different scenarios. You can find it at the end of the article.
At our lowest test speed of 37 mph, the German luxury sedan shares the top spot for efficiency with the Tesla Model 3 Highland in the sedan segment. However, both vehicles have slightly smaller batteries than some other more consumption-heavy alternatives, resulting in a smaller range on a single charge despite the tremendous efficiency.
Range test results
- 37 mph
- 56 mph
- 81 mph
BMW iX3 50 xDrive (Summer tires 21")
Zeekr 7GT Privilege AWD
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+
BMW i5 xDrive40
Tesla Model 3 LR
BMW i5 M60 Touring
BMW i5 M60
As speed progresses to 56 mph, the AWD system, heavy weight and blocky exterior start taking a toll on efficiency and the range starts decreasing. However, the range in our testing remains much higher than the WLTP figure, which is a commendable achievement.
At our highest test speed of 81 mph, consumption remains moderate. It’s about average for the segment. The larger batteries in most rivals mean that the i5 xDrive40 drops a few places in the total range rankings.
One thing the BMW i5 xDrive40 excels at compared to its M60 counterparts is efficiency. The less powerful motors consume less energy to move, meaning that the xDrive40 variant is the better choice for travelling longer without stopping. However, the eDrive40 with just a single motor manages to consume even less.
At this point, consumption stops being the main decisive factor but a combination of ones appears: Is the price jump for the M60 justified? Is the quicker acceleration worth the shorter range? Is the xDrive system necessary for your use case?
Depending on your personal answers, BMW offers a different i5 for everyone. Yet, we would like to see something the Bavarians haven’t thought of - an i5 with a larger battery pack. The 81.2 kWh pack is not enough to compete with modern rivals and is a huge reason why the i5 isn’t selling in huge numbers as some of its rivals are.
You can use the widget below to find out the 2026 BMW i5 xDrive40’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.
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