Head to head

BMW i5 vs Tesla Model S

A side-by-side comparison of published UK 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

BMW i5

From £75,000 · 320 miles

Read the BMW i5 review

Car B

Tesla Model S electric car

Tesla Model S

From £79,990 · 370 miles

Read the Tesla Model S review

The verdict

The Tesla Model S offers more range — 370 miles WLTP against 320, a gap of about 50 miles 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 £4,990 lower, while the quicker of the two to 60mph 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 i5£75,000
Tesla Model S£79,990

Range (WLTP)

BMW i5320 miles
Tesla Model S370 miles

Battery

BMW i581.2 kWh
Tesla Model S100 kWh

Body type

BMW i5saloon
Tesla Model Ssaloon

Seats

BMW i55
Tesla Model S5

Boot space

BMW i5490 litres
Tesla Model S793 litres

0–60 mph(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 the UK — 100 means best in the dataset. These are the same attributes our recommender uses.

Range

BMW i578/100
Tesla Model S98/100

Price

BMW i511/100
Tesla Model S9/100

Family space

BMW i556/100
Tesla Model S95/100

Performance

BMW i559/100
Tesla Model S99/100

Tech

BMW i568/100
Tesla Model S90/100

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