BMW i5 Grabs Longer Range And Native Tesla Charging For 2027

The BMW i5 has quietly become one of the most rounded electric saloons on sale, and the 2027 update sharpens its game further. This midsize luxury four-door shares its bones with the petrol 5 Series, yet keeps the rear-driven balance and driver-first cabin that BMW fans prize. It squares up to the Mercedes EQE, the Lucid Air and the Audi A6 e-tron, and it holds its own with ease.

The headline change for 2027 is charging. The potent M60 now gains a native NACS port, which opens the door to Tesla’s Supercharger network. The eDrive40 and xDrive40 receive the same access through a software update and an adapter, with CCS and J1772 adapters supplied as well. Efficiency tweaks lift the numbers too, and the entry eDrive40 now stretches to around 328 miles on a charge, up from 310.

The range spans mild to mighty. The rear-drive eDrive40 makes 335 horsepower, the all-paw xDrive40 climbs to 389, and the M60 pins you back with 593. That flagship dispatches the rest to a 60 mph sprint in a shade over three and a half seconds. Even the base car feels brisk, and all three ride on the composed, planted chassis you expect from the badge.

The cabin keeps things familiar and plush. A curved display pairs a 12.3-inch cluster with a 14.9-inch touchscreen, and wireless smartphone mirroring, a Harman Kardon system and ambient lighting all feature. The styling stays restrained by modern BMW standards, with a sensibly sized kidney grille and optional illuminated trim. Standard 19-inch wheels can grow to 20s or 21s, though larger rims trim the range.

There are trade-offs to weigh. Many controls now live on the touchscreen, the M60 tops out at a modest 277 miles between charges, and there is no storage well under the bonnet. The sweet spot remains the xDrive40, which balances pace and traction nicely, even if it gives up around 45 miles of range to the rear-drive car. With longer legs and Tesla charging now on board, the i5 is easier than ever to recommend.