For over a century, BMW has given us some of the best engines around. Some of those engines have racked up awards over the decades, from its standard six-cylinder petrols to its powerful and efficient diesels, powertrain is something BMW aces.
There are several memorable engines, too. There's the high-revving four-cylinder from the E30 M3, the sweet sixes that powered the M3s from 20 and 30 years ago, and who can forget the screaming V10 in the E60 M5? Not to mention the silky smooth V12s from its flagship models.
But times are changing and electric has become more than a buzzword. Sure, BMW still makes diesels and plug-in hybrids, but the brand is keen on showing the world it's a force to be reckoned with in the world of EVs. It's easy to be skeptical at first. Heck, one of us was ready to dislike it altogether.
Can BMW, a brand that's known to make some of the best motors in the world, be one of the best EV automakers around? Recently, we sampled five of its models to find out.
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BMW iX3 M Sport
The BMW iX3 is the perfect city runabout. It’s not sporty like its i4 sedan siblings, not as luxurious as the i7, and not equipped with the largest battery in the lineup. What the iX3 has is decent ground clearance, crossover versatility, and a comfortable Teutonic ride. But with 286hp and 400Nm from its electric motor, the iX3 can easily give bursts of acceleration when needed.
Where it shines is the point A to point B daily routine. With a fully charged battery, just connect your phone to Apple CarPlay wirelessly (or Android Auto), toggle the shift button to D, and enjoy the Harman Kardon audio system on your way to work. The iX3 also has, in my opinion, one of the most handsome profiles in the BMW lineup—electric or not. -Dinzo Tabamo
BMW i5 eDrive40
The BMW fanboy in me wanted to hate this model. I grew up with the mentality that the 5-Series must have a six-cylinder engine, whether it’s gas or diesel. This new generation, internally known as the G60, is no longer available with a non-electrified six. The only way to go with a pure petrol model is with the base 520i, but even that one is a mild-hybrid. Locally, if you want more power, the only way to go is with the i5 eDrive40.
“An electric 5-Series? What have they done?” I thought. But in the interest of being open-minded, I took the keys (well, key fob) because, well, the 5-Series is my go-to model in the range. For me, a good 5-Series blends comfort and dynamics all in one package, so it was a good chance to find out if the i5 was, indeed, a 5er at heart.
The day trip took us from Greenhills to Batangas and back. There, I was pleasantly surprised how much it felt like a regular car. No stabby and inconsistent brake feel, no odd lurches here and there, either. It was smooth and, because of the electric motor, serene. It rode well and, more importantly, drove well, retaining the true hallmarks of a 5-Series. In a matter or minutes, I felt at home with it, and that’s the great part of it.
Sure, I’ll miss the sweet singing six-cylinder, but it pulls like one. Electric consumption wasn’t half bad either at 5km/kWh despite some, er, enthusiastic driving. Driven sensibly, it can easily do 8km/kWh, meaning 300km drives are no problem. Not bad for something that punches out 335hp and 430Nm. It’s a new dimension for BMW's large sedan, one that will annoy the fanboys and purists. Unfortunately I can’t help but actually like the i5 because it still has the ingredients that make a 5-series a 5-series. Damn it. - Anton Andres
BMW i4 M50
I initially wanted to drive the i7 at first, I’m not going to lie. I’ve heard so many good things about it, so naturally, I’d want to try that instead of the ‘regular’ i4. What I didn’t realize when I was eventually given the i4 was that I was going to drive the M50 variant, not the eDrive35.
For those unacquainted with BMW’s badges, anything with an ‘M’ usually hints at more power. In the case of the i4, it’s a lot of power. The i4 M50 is basically a performance car in regular everyday sedan clothing, capable of producing a whopping 544hp and 795Nm of torque.
To absolutely no surprise at all, that sheer power had me spoiled from the get-go. There’s instant acceleration and so much pull the moment you step on the pedal, and there’s plenty of power to get you to speeds way over the 100kph limit—not that we tried that out, of course. We did have some space to play around on the expressway, so at least we were able to put all that power to good use when overtaking.
But I suppose what I like most about the i4 M50 is that it doesn’t need to be a raging fast sedan when you don’t want it to be. It has a cozy and comfortable interior, complete with all the creature comforts that a modern BMW car can offer you. The ride can be a bit stiff on roads like EDSA, but on properly paved highways, it’s smooth and quiet. Perhaps my biggest gripe would just be the price—P5.99 million isn’t exactly chump change, you know. -Leandre Grecia
BMW iX
Driving the BMW iX was an unexpected pleasure. Initially, I had reservations due to my preference for taking photos during trips and my disinterest in large SUVs and electric vehicles. However, I changed my mind the last minute since it’s my first opportunity to drive an electric BMW.
Upon entering the cabin, I was welcomed by large screens and the variety of high-quality materials—leather, fabric, wood, and glass—contributing to a sleek and stylish interior.
The drive itself was remarkably comfortable, even on the rough stretches of EDSA, thanks to the supportive seats and excellent NVH levels.
Despite its actual size, which Carlo informed me is longer than a Toyota Land Cruiser 300, the iX handles like a compact crossover. The low-end torque provided ample power for overtaking on the expressway, and the braking performance was superb, living up to the high standards expected of a German vehicle.
Even after returning the car, the memory of driving the iX lingers. Its refinement and the added bonus of not spending on fuel left a lasting impression. If this is what the future holds, I wouldn't mind making the switch to electric SUVs for my daily commute. -Charles Banaag
BMW i7 xDrive60 Pure Excellence
When the BMW i7 launched, people could not get over the looks. Count me as one of those people, but time heals all wounds, and I think time has healed the gashes in my eyes, as I suddenly kind of like the i7’s slit headlights and slab-like sides. It has started growing on me. This could be because of the amazing driving experience it turned out to be.
Taking off from RSA Greenhills, it immediately felt awkwardly large (because it is), but five minutes later, and the i7 magically started to shrink around me. BMW’s tend to drive smaller than they actually are, and this one did it exceptionally well. Nimble handling combined with extreme acceleration from the large battery made for a great driving experience.
Advanced driving assists let the car basically drive itself on the highway, making the road trip a breeze, meaning we could enjoy the amazing Bowers & Wilkins sound system while the i7 smoothly matched traffic without any input from the driver. Yes, the i7 is still fun to drive, but the layout of the cabin clearly shows that the i7 prioritizes one thing over everything else, the rear passenger seat. -Carlo Chungunco
The i7...from the backseat
It was my first time to be a “passenger princess”—actually make that a passenger queen to my driver king (my husband was driving)—and riding the BMW i7 really did make me feel like modern day royalty.
After the rear passenger door automatically opened then closed for me, I slipped into the i7’s plush leather seat with a pillow headrest, placed my phone on the wireless charging pad, and using the touchscreen in the door, began to customize my preferences for the best passenger experience of my life.
Window blinds up, climate control set, seat recline adjusted (with seat ventilation), and my chosen massage setting activated—I was ready to kick back and relax with a perfect view of the sky thanks to the i7’s panoramic glass roof, and amazing music from the 18 speakers of the i7’s Bowers & Wilkins Sound System.
Are we there yet? It did not matter where our destination was and how long it would take to get there, as the ride itself was such an enjoyable experience. If the BMW i7 is the future of luxury electric vehicles, then I’m definitely onboard. -Joyce Wong-Chungunco
