BMW’s official specs point out that the BMW i5 has a 17.3 cubic-foot trunk. “Wow!” you would possibly say, in case you’ve been maintaining monitor of sedan trunk volumes. Oh, you have not? Bizarre. Nicely, that may be greater than the 16.7 cubes you may discover in a Honda Accord, which cannot solely swallow all six normal Baggage Take a look at baggage, however the 38-quart cooler that is often reserved for testing extra voluminous SUVs. The i5’s Accord-besting quantity is much more spectacular when you think about it is the electrical model of the 5 Collection, and presumably has not less than some packaging sacrifices to be made for its platform’s want to drag double obligation as an ICE and electrical automobile. Nicely finished BMW!
Not so quick. The second you pop the trunk, it is readily obvious that the i5 does not have wherever near 17.3 cubic-feet of area. Not less than not utilizing the identical measurement technique as seemingly each different automotive maker. This isn’t a brand new phenomena. The three Collection additionally apparently has 17 cubic-feet, however yeah, it actually does not.
I am positive in some unspecified time in the future you are going to learn that the i5 has “spectacular trunk area” and even “class-leading trunk area” as a result of that is definitely what the specs would point out. When it comes to precise area, although, it does not. That spec is misleading. I can not think about BMW goes out of its option to create this deception; it is most likely only a case of engineers utilizing some measurement they like for causes A, B, and C. However I can also’t think about anybody at BMW minds the truth that its sedan trunks will be marketed as larger than they’re relative opponents. (I want to notice that BMW’s SUVs do not appear have this downside).
So how a lot actually can match inside? That is what I am right here for.
As with each Baggage Take a look at, I take advantage of two midsize curler suitcases that may should be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 broad, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller blue roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embrace my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
First, like many EVs, there’s a sizeable underfloor storage space. The i5 does not have a frunk (extra on that quickly), so I am going to most likely need to stow the emergency cost twine down there.
For the needs of cramming essentially the most baggage attainable within the trunk, although, chances are you’ll must relocate that cost twine and use the area for a bag. That is precisely what I did. Fancy bag goes right here.
As for the primary trunk compartment, the primary clue that this ain’t your typical 17.3-cubic-foot trunk is that it isn’t very tall. The above comparability is not preferrred given the digicam angle and the completely different bag used, however you may clearly see that there’s loads of area above the most important blue bag within the Accord’s trunk (above proper). There may be none above the equally sized grey bag within the i5 (above left).
Making that lack of peak worse are these previous Baggage Take a look at villains, the distant again seat launch latches. These are definitely helpful, however I can not inform you how typically they’ve prevented me from becoming a complete bag inside a trunk, leading to an entire bunch of ineffective leftover area. The i5 is one other instance.
One other situation is that this weirdly formed space on the left aspect of the trunk. It is ineffective.
OK, let’s have a look at how a lot can match.
Unhappy trombone. That is the 4 greatest baggage with the flowery bag down under and the cost twine plopped on high. Regardless of all that further area, there was simply no option to match the small blue curler bag. Consider me, I attempted.
Now, clearly I might simply repack in smaller, soft-sided duffle baggage and produce all my stuff alongside. However what if I used to be selecting folks up from the airport?
“However you mentioned you had a 17.3-cubic-foot trunk! I nearly introduced my cooler!”
The i5’s major competitor, the Mercedes EQE Sedan, can match all the baggage (barely) in what’s precisely labeled 15 cubic-feet of area. Ergo, the i5 has lower than that if measured utilizing the identical technique Mercedes and seemingly each different firm makes use of. Even when BMW used that very same technique, although, all that leftover area would nonetheless consequence within the i5’s trunk being much less helpful than its quantity would point out. Its dimensions, particularly its lack of peak, is extra necessary right here than any total quantity could be.
That is finally the takeaway right here.
Now, to different issues.
The i5 doesn’t have a frunk. True, frunks are often barely bigger than a briefcase, however that is often sufficient to retailer the emergency cost twine and the tire restore package (as I do in my Kia Niro).
That is what you may discover within the i5. The world’s largest “engine cowl” and under it, in case you have the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40 mannequin, an enormous motor-size cavity. If this was an M60 or upcoming xDrive40, there’d presumably be a entrance motor unit in that cavity. Both approach, no frunk.
Again to the trunk. All sides has a helpful little grocery hook. There’s additionally a small bin on the correct aspect to retailer the proprietor’s handbook or no matter.
So that is the BMW i5 trunk. Now for some somber Baggage Take a look at information …
It’s with nice unhappiness that I announce the passing of the Small Blue Curler Bag. I picked it up someday with the highest deal with and the plastic shell it is hooked up to broke/ripped other than its connection on the extending strolling deal with thingy. It had been my major suitcase for practically a decade and though I’ve changed a number of wheel models over time after oh-so-many airport miles, this time the harm was terminal. Pun not meant.
As you may see, I did a bang-up job patching the harm with duct tape so I might take the bag on the press occasion I used to be actually about to go away for (it additionally let me use the bag for this and some different baggage assessments). That, nonetheless, was extremely janky. I would wish a brand new main suitcase, and though I might definitely preserve the small blue curler bag round to take care of continuity for baggage assessments, that may imply maintaining a bag in my storage ONLY for baggage assessments. I not often use one of many medium black baggage as it’s. No, I might search an precisely sized substitute. It will not be straightforward. That story subsequent time.
In the intervening time, farewell buddy. Good touring with you.