Head to head

BMW i5 vs Tesla Model S

A side-by-side comparison of published Australian specifications, including WLTP range figures.

This comparison is generated automatically from published manufacturer specifications, not from hands-on testing. It sets the two cars' figures side by side; it is not a road test.

Car A

BMW i5 electric car photographed from the front three-quarter angle, 515 km of range

BMW i5

From A$153,750 Β· 515 km

Read the BMW i5 review

Car B

Tesla Model S electric car photographed from the front three-quarter angle, 595 km of range

Tesla Model S

From A$164,000 Β· 595 km

Read the Tesla Model S review

The verdict

The Tesla Model S offers more range β€” 595 km WLTP against 515 km, a gap of about 80 km between charges. The Tesla Model S is the better fit for families needing extra boot space, with 793 litres and 5 seats versus 490 litres and 5 in the BMW i5. On price the BMW i5 starts about A$10,250 lower, while the quicker of the two off the line is the Tesla Model S at 3.1s.

On the measured specifications below, the BMW i5 leads in 1 area and the Tesla Model S in 4.

Specs side by side

Price from (new)(Lower is better)

BMW i5A$153,750
Tesla Model SA$164,000

Range (WLTP)

BMW i5515 km
Tesla Model S595 km

Battery

BMW i581.2 kWh
Tesla Model S100 kWh

Body type

BMW i5sedan
Tesla Model Ssedan

Seats

BMW i55
Tesla Model S5

Boot space

BMW i5490 litres
Tesla Model S793 litres

0–100 km/h(Lower is better)

BMW i56s
Tesla Model S3.1s

Standout feature

BMW i5Executive saloon that drives like a proper BMW
Tesla Model SLong range and ballistic acceleration

How they score

Each attribute is a percentile against every EV on sale in Australia β€” 100 means best in the dataset. These are the same attributes our recommender uses.

Range

BMW i574/100
Tesla Model S97/100

Price

BMW i512/100
Tesla Model S11/100

Family space

BMW i558/100
Tesla Model S96/100

Performance

BMW i547/100
Tesla Model S99/100

Tech

BMW i558/100
Tesla Model S86/100

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