Every BMW Electric Vehicles Ranked By Range

Since the launch of its groundbreaking i3 in 2013, BMW electric cars have become an integral part of the EV landscape. Over the last decade or so, the range of BMW EVs has expanded significantly, thanks to the addition of the Polestar 2-rivaling BMW i4, the striking iX SUV, the executive segment i5, and the luxurious i7, which has the Mercedes EQS firmly in its sights. It is also worth noting that the i5 and i7 mark the first time the 5 Series and 7 Series have been electrified in their respective 52 and 47-year histories.

Despite the added weight that comes with the addition of expensive lithium-ion battery packs, BMW has sought to ensure that its range of EVs retains the Munich brand’s traditionally engaging drive, plus the distinctive styling philosophy it has adopted under its current design chief, Domagoj Dukec. The following list of BMW EVs comprises the models that make up its all-electric ‘i’ brand, and they have been ranked by range starting from largest to smallest.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from BMW, the EPA, and the 2023 J.D. Power Survey. The models below have been ranked based on their range.

1 BMW iX

Range: 285 Miles To 309 Miles

The BMW iX is the first all-purpose BMW EV built since the i3 in 2013. Aimed at the likes of the Rivian R1S and the Audi Q8 e-tron, the iX offers a range of up to 309 miles with the entry-level xDrive 50 trim, and 285 miles with the sporty iX M60. Roughly the same size as the X5 SUV, the iX is built around a bespoke aluminum spaceframe, and fitted with a body made of high-strength steel, aluminum, thermoplastics, and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) to keep weight down.

Nonetheless, the iX still weighs in at 5,969 pounds. The interior of the iX is no less futuristic than its exterior; a 14.9-inch infotainment screen dominates the dashboard, and the iX xDrive50’s hexagonal steering wheel represents a first for BMW. Glass iDrive switchgear set on wood contributes to the iX’s overall futuristic character.

Performance Specifications

The BMW iX’s all-new 111.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack can be DC fast-charged up to 200 kilowatts using a CCS connector and will charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 40 minutes. Using BMW’s 11-kilowatt home charger will charge the iX from empty in around 11 hours.

Pros

• Built on bespoke BMW EV architecture.
• Futuristic interior.
• Scored #1 in Driver Satisfaction in the ‘Upper Midsize Luxury SUV’ category in the 2023 J.D. Power survey.

Cons

• Styling won’t be for everyone.
• More expensive than the Audi Q8 e-tron and Rivian R1S at entry level.
• Optional 22-inch rims will hamper the range.

2 BMW i7

Range: 274 Miles To 321 Miles

The BMW i7 is the most luxurious car in BMW’s EV range, and the entry-level eDrive50 trim offers the longest range, with 321 miles. Launched in 2022, the i7 (G73) was immediately praised for its tech-laden cabin. Inside, the i7 is decked out with the colorful “BMW Live Cockpit”, optional vegan Veganza leather in various colors, and an optional 8K “Theatre Screen” that allows rear passengers to watch movies and play video games while on the go.

The i7 comes in three trim levels; the eDrive50, the mid-range xDrive60, and the performance-oriented flagship i7 M70, which packs 650 horsepower and 749 pound-feet of torque. Note, however, that these supercar-bating figures come at the expense of range, as the M70 has the smallest range in the i7 line-up.

Performance Specifications

In terms of charging, the i7 eDrive50 and xDrive60 will take 11 hours to charge via an 11-kilowatt AC slow charger. Fast charging using a 195/200-kilowatt charger with a CCS port will charge both models from 10 percent to 80 percent in 28 minutes. On a slow charge, the M70 outperforms both – a 10 percent to 80 percent charge takes just 5 hours and 30 minutes. BMW is currently including a 22-kilowatt home charger worth $600 for free with the purchase of any i7 until June 02, 2024. The BMW i7 is also compatible with the Electrify America DC fast charger, which can add 180 to 200 miles worth of range in just 30 minutes.

Pros

• The i7 eDrive5 0’s range of up to 321 miles is the best in the BMW EV line-up.
• The i7 M70 offers rapid performance.
• Various fast-charging options and network compatibilities.

Cons

• Not cheap with a starting MSRP of $105,700 for the i7 eDrive50, $124,200 for the mid-range xDrive60, and $168,500 for the flagship M70.
• Is all that tech necessary?
• Flagship M70 weighs in at 7,165 pounds, which is more than the equivalent Mercedes-Benz EQS, which has a curb weight of 7,109 pounds.

3 BMW i5

Range: 240 Miles To 299 Miles

Introduced in 2023, the BMW i5 is the newest member of Munich’s all-electric ‘i’ range of EVs. An all-electric version of the BMW 5-Series, the i5 follows the same recipe as the smaller i4, as it is built on the brand’s modular chassis, which is shared with its Internal Combustion Engine cousins.

The i4 comes in three trim levels, beginning with the entry-level single-motor eDrive40, which has 335 horsepower, and a range of almost 300 miles. The mid-range i5 is the dual-motor xDrive40 with all-wheel drive, and the range-topper is the i5 M60. With 593 horsepower and a 0–60 miles per hour time of just 3.7 seconds. Like its performance-orientated siblings, the smaller i4 M50 and the larger i7 M70’s impressive performance comes at the expense of range.

Performance Specifications

The eDrive40 has a maximum range of between 270 and 299 miles, whilst driving the i5 M60 at its maximum capacity reduces its range from between 240 and 256 miles. BMW also includes three years’ worth of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations. Fast-charging times have yet to be published, but BMW claims that the i5’s 84.3-kilowatt battery can be charged using an 11-kilowatt home charger in approximately 11 hours.

The i5’s eye-catching interior is not dissimilar to that found in the bigger, more expensive i7, albeit some questions about scratchy plastics remain in the smaller car. The BMW i5‘s strong range of performance and practicality makes it comparable to the likes of the Genesis Electrified G80, Mercedes EQE, the Lucid Motors Air, and the Porsche Taycan.

Pros

• More conventional styling than some rivals.
• Genuinely enjoyable to drive; i5 M60 offers genuinely impressive super sedan performance.
• Wagon ‘Touring’ model is to arrive later in 2024.

Cons

• Whilst tasteful, some hard plastics in the i5’s cabin remain.
• No front trunk or ‘frunk’ under i5’s expansive hood.
• iDrive operating system’s ’tile’ system can prove frustrating to use and illogical.

4 BMW i4

Range: 227 Miles To 307 Miles

The BMW i4 is Munich’s answer to the likes of the Polestar 2, Tesla Model 3, and the Mercedes EQE. The i4 has the largest number of trim levels across the BMW EV range, starting with the $52,200 i4 eDrive35, and rounding out with the $69,700 i4 M50; an all-electric answer to the BMW M3. The i4 xDrive offers the best mix of performance, range, and price thanks to a power output of 396 horsepower, a maximum range of up to 307 miles, and an MSRP of $61,600.

For the 2025 model year, the i4 has been facelifted with an updated front end. Buyers can also choose a pair of new colors – Cape York Green, and Fire Red. Inside, the number of buttons inside the i4’s cabin has been reduced, and a curved infotainment screen running the latest version of BMW’s iDrive 8.5 Operating System is placed in the middle of the dashboard. Meanwhile, the left-hand part of the same screen acts as a digital instrument cluster for the driver.

Performance Specifications

The i4 eDrive40, i4 xDrive40, and i4 M50 are all fitted with an 83.9-kilowatt battery, with the latter two models receiving a twin motor configuration. The eDrive35 receives a 70.2-kilowatt battery and a single motor. The eDrive 40 is also a single-motor car. All models bar the eDrive35 have a 200-kilowatt charging battery, which means the car can be charged by 80% in around 40 minutes. The eDrive35’s battery has a 180-kilowatt charging speed.

Pros

• i4 iDrive35 has a comparable range to the entry-level Tesla Model 3, which has a range of 272 miles.
• The i4’s four trim levels offer something to all levels of buyers with generous standard tech.
• Design has softened into one of the less controversially-styled Dukec-era BMWs.

Cons

• The flagship M50’s impressive performance comes at the expense of range.
• More expensive than the Tesla Model 3 across the board.
• It is based on the modular platform underpinning the BMW 4 Series, and is not a purpose-built EV like the iX or i3.

5 BMW i3 (2018–2022)

Range: 156 Miles To 200 Miles

The i3 was the first mass-produced BMW EV and was in production from 2013 to 2022, and proved to be a landmark vehicle for the company. The i3 was the world’s first mass-production car to have a bespoke passenger module made from CFRP. Adding to the car’s quirky character are a lightweight aluminum chassis and rear ‘suicide’ doors. Throughout its life, the i3 won a series of accolades for its interior and exterior design, including the 2014 World Car Design Of The Year award, the iF Product Design Gold Award, and the UK Car Of The Year 2014 award.

Performance Specifications

The i3 was updated in 2018, and saw BMW do away with the Range Extender (REX) model and replace it with two all-electric trim levels – the i3 and the more sporty i3 S. The BMW i3 was a landmark car for the Bavarian marque, and despite going out of production in 2022, its popularity was underlined when BMW U.S. sold a New Old Stock (NOS) i3 in the first quarter of 2024.

Whilst its range is significantly less than the models that succeeded it, without the i3, there would be no i4, i5, iX, and i7. In 2025, BMW’s Neue Klasse line of EVs will launch alongside the models on this list, and this all-new line of BMW electric cars is said to include a successor to the i3. For EV aficionados and BMW enthusiasts alike, Munich’s all-electric future is certainly one to watch with interest.

Pros

Cons

• Range compromised compared to newer BMW EV models.
• Outdated tech.
• Interior space is smaller than later BMW EVs; suicide doors aren’t necessarily the most practical feature option in the world.