Head-to-head
BMW i5 vs Porsche Taycan
The BMW i5 starts $25,300 (14%) below the Porsche Taycan. Here's how that price gap plays out across range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · Sedan
BMW i5
BMW's electric 5 Series sibling — sharing platform and body with the petrol 5er. The 581 km WLTP range puts it ahead of the Mercedes EQE; the AC charging at 22 kW is class-leading.
- From
- $155,900
- Range
- 581 km
- Battery
- 81.2 kWh
Option B · Sedan
Porsche Taycan
Porsche's electric sport sedan — shares its J1 platform with the Audi e-tron GT. 800V architecture enables 270 kW DC charging; Performance Battery Plus option lifts range and power.
- From
- $181,200
- Range
- 484 km
- Battery
- 93.4 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the BMW i5 and Porsche Taycan, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage BMW i5
The BMW i5 goes 97 km further on a charge (581 vs 484 km WLTP).
- 2
DC charging · advantage Porsche Taycan
The Porsche Taycan accepts 65 kW more DC peak charging (270 vs 205 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 3
Battery · advantage Porsche Taycan
The Porsche Taycan carries a 12.2 kWh larger battery (93.4 vs 81.2 kWh).
- 4
Power · advantage Porsche Taycan
The Porsche Taycan puts down 50 kW more (300 vs 250 kW).
- 5
Warranty · advantage BMW i5
The BMW i5 covers the vehicle for 2 more years (5 vs 3 yrs).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the BMW i5 wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $25,300
- ▸ 97 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Longer warranty (5 years)
Where the Porsche Taycan wins
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (5.4s vs 6s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (270 kW vs 205 kW)
BMW i5
What we like
- ✓ Strong 581 km WLTP range
- ✓ 22 kW three-phase AC charging is class-leading
- ✓ Cabin shares 5 Series quality and refinement
What we don't
- ✕ Heavy kerb weight hurts handling vs ICE 5er
- ✕ Premium pricing climbs fast with options
- ✕ Boot is sedan-shaped (no hatch opening)
Porsche Taycan
What we like
- ✓ Porsche driving feel in an EV
- ✓ 800V architecture for ultra-fast DC charging
- ✓ Distinctive low-slung silhouette
What we don't
- ✕ Short 3-year vehicle warranty
- ✕ Range trails newer competitors at the price
- ✕ Boot is sedan-shape and modest
Frequently asked: BMW i5 vs Porsche Taycan
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the BMW i5 or the Porsche Taycan?
- The BMW i5 is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $155,900 versus $181,200 for the Porsche Taycan, a $25,300 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The BMW i5 has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 581 km, 97 km further than the Porsche Taycan's 484 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Porsche Taycan accepts a peak DC charging rate of 270 kW versus 205 kW for the BMW i5. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Porsche Taycan does 0–100 km/h in 5.4 seconds — 0.6 s quicker than the BMW i5's 6.0 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the BMW i5 better value than the Porsche Taycan?
- On paper the BMW i5 is $25,300 cheaper, but the Porsche Taycan edges ahead on most other measurable specs. Whether the saving justifies the gap depends on which features matter most to you, and how much weight you give to brand and dealer factors.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
BMW i5
if…
- ✓ you want to save $25,300 on the sticker
- ✓ maximum range matters (97 km further per charge)
- ✓ peace-of-mind warranty matters (2 more years of cover)
Choose the
Porsche Taycan
if…
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
- ✓ you match the profile: driving enthusiasts
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.