Car of the Year Awards 2025: Best executive car interior
A top-notch executive car must do it all – frugally and in style. Buyers want effortless long-haul capability, a comfortable and classy interior, and low benefit-in-kind tax rates...
BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport
Your boss probably wouldn’t be happy if you turned up at work with a bigger, flashier car than them, but they’d be less likely to feel undermined if you parked your BMW i5 next to their pricier i7 limo.
What they might not realise, though, is just how similar the two cars are inside – up front, at least. Historically, the 5 Series has followed the style set by the even posher 7 Series, and that holds true in the current generation – including the electric i5, which we favour over the petrol and plug-in hybrid versions, because it makes more sense as a company car.
Light strips running across the dashboard and onto the doors create a considerable wow factor, and there’s a class-leading infotainment system with an intuitive rotary controller between the front seats. Complementing the glitziness are soft, padded surfaces and glossy trim finishes that give the i5 a rich ambience, even if it’s a step down from the lavishness of the BMW i7.
It’s classier inside (and feels more robust) than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and EQE, and makes the Tesla Model 3’s interior look somewhat austere. The i5 is comfier for rear passengers than those rivals, too.
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