2025 BMW i5 vs 2025 Tesla Model S
Comparison Overview
The 2025 BMW i5 electrifies tradition, boasting 335 horsepower and a competitive $67,100 MSRP, delivering a refined German electric sedan experience with 295 miles of range. Conversely, the 2025 Tesla Model S screams cutting-edge performance, though its $79,990 price tag reflects its premium status and superior utility, offering a massive 28.2 cu ft of cargo space compared to the i5's 17.3 cu ft. The power gulf is significant: the Model S offers an immense horsepower advantage over the i5's output. While both are sleek electric sedans, the i5 maintains classic BMW proportions at 199.2 inches long, whereas the wider Model S (78.2 inches) emphasizes a lower, wider stance. This comparison pits established luxury refinement against raw electric capability and practicality.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 BMW i5
The BMW i5 wins for commuters due to its significantly lower MSRP of $67,100 and excellent 295 miles of electric range.
2025 Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is the better family hauler, offering a substantial 28.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, nearly 11 cu ft more than the i5.
2025 Tesla Model S
The Model S takes the enthusiast crown because it promises superior straight-line acceleration thanks to the massive horsepower difference over the i5.
2025 BMW i5
The BMW i5 offers superior value by undercutting the Model S by $12,890 while still delivering respectable electric performance.
Choose the BMW i5 if...
- You prioritize a lower entry price, saving $12,890 compared to the Model S at an MSRP of $67,100.
- You prefer the traditional RWD driving dynamics offered by the i5.
- You require a proven 295 miles of electric range from a more established luxury badge.
Choose the Tesla Model S if...
- Maximum utility is essential, benefiting from the Model S's segment-leading 28.2 cu ft of cargo capacity.
- You desire blistering acceleration derived from its substantial horsepower advantage over the i5.
- All-wheel drive capability and a lower overall height of 56.3 inches are important factors for your driving needs.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | BMW i5 | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.2" | 197.7" |
| Width | 74.8" | 78.2" |
| Height | 59.6" | 56.3" |
| Wheelbase | 117.9" | 116.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | — |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Brake Drying | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Front Integrated Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Integrated Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Type | electric | electric |
| Horsepower | 335 hp | — |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 1-speed direct drive | 1-speed direct drive |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | electric | electric |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | 104/105 MPGe | — |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | 105 MPGe | — |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | 295 mi. | — |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | 32 | — |
| Charging Time (240V) | 10.0 hr. | — |
| Battery Capacity | 84.3 kWh | — |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | SAE Combo | NACS |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Side View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 14.9 in | 17.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Premium Speaker Brand | Harman/Kardon | — |
| Stereo Power | 205W | 960W |
| Speaker System | 12 | 22 |
| Subwoofer Count | 2 | 1 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | With Real Time Traffic |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 12 months | — |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | 1st Row Fixed Glass Extended |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.8 in. | 39.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.2 in. | 58.4 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Sport | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Driver Seat Thigh Extension | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | 2 | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Passenger Seat Thigh Extension | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Seat Memory Settings | 2 | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Front Hip Room | — | 54.8 in. |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 37.5 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.5 in. | 35.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.9 in. | 55.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 50.3 in. |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | — | ✓ |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
| Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level) | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.5 in | 19 x 10.5 in |
| Tire Type | Performance | All Season |
| Tire Size | 245/45R19 | 285/40R19 |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
Suspension
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | BMW | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 8 yr./ 150000 mi. |
| EV Battery Warranty | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. | 8 yr./ 150000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 12 yr./ unlimited mi. | 12 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. | — |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 BMW i5 and 2025 Tesla Model S.
What is the primary performance difference between the 2025 BMW i5 and the 2025 Tesla Model S?
The primary difference lies in raw power; the Model S possesses a massive horsepower advantage over the i5's 335 hp output. While the i5 offers respectable performance, the Model S is engineered for higher top-end acceleration due to this power disparity.
How much more expensive is the Tesla Model S compared to the base BMW i5?
The 2025 Tesla Model S has an MSRP of $79,990, making it $12,890 more expensive than the 2025 BMW i5's starting price of $67,100.
Which sedan offers better practicality for hauling gear or luggage?
The Tesla Model S is significantly more practical, boasting 28.2 cu ft of cargo capacity. This dwarfs the BMW i5's 17.3 cu ft, making the Model S the clear winner for storage needs.
Does the drive type significantly impact daily commuting in these two EVs?
Yes, the BMW i5 utilizes rear-wheel drive (RWD), which often provides a more traditional, balanced feel, whereas the Model S features all-wheel drive (AWD), offering superior traction in adverse conditions.
Comparing electric range, how do the two sedans stack up?
The BMW i5 currently lists an electric range of 295 miles on a single charge. While the Model S specifications provided do not list its specific range, the i5 offers a clearly defined benchmark for potential buyers.
Are the physical footprints of these sedans very different?
They are similar in length (i5 at 199.2 inches vs. Model S at 197.7 inches), but the Model S is substantially wider at 78.2 inches compared to the i5’s 74.8 inches, giving it a broader road presence.
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