BMW’s official specs point out that the BMW i5 has a 17.3 cubic-foot trunk. “Wow!” you would possibly say, in the event you’ve been maintaining monitor of sedan trunk volumes. Oh, you have not? Bizarre. Properly, that will be greater than the 16.7 cubes you may discover in a Honda Accord, which cannot solely swallow all six normal Baggage Check 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 Sequence, and presumably has no less than some packaging sacrifices to be made for its platform’s want to drag double obligation as an ICE and electrical automobile. Properly accomplished BMW!
Not so quick. The second you pop the trunk, it is readily obvious that the i5 does not have anyplace near 17.3 cubic-feet of area. Not less than not utilizing the identical measurement methodology as seemingly each different automotive maker. This isn’t a brand new phenomena. The three Sequence additionally apparently has 17 cubic-feet, however yeah, it actually does not.
I am certain sooner or later you are going to learn that the i5 has “spectacular trunk area” and even “class-leading trunk area” as a result of that is actually 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 approach to create this deception; it is in all probability 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 might be marketed as larger than they’re relative rivals. (I would like 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 Check, I take advantage of two midsize curler suitcases that will should be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 vast, 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 in all probability must stow the emergency cost wire down there.
For the needs of cramming essentially the most baggage doable within the trunk, although, it’s possible you’ll have to relocate that cost wire and use the area for a bag. That is precisely what I did. Fancy bag goes right here.
As for the principle trunk compartment, the primary clue that this ain’t your typical 17.3-cubic-foot trunk is that it is not very tall. The above comparability is not supreme given the digital camera angle and the totally different bag used, however you may clearly see that there’s loads of area above the largest 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 top worse are these outdated Baggage Check villains, the distant again seat launch latches. These are actually useful, however I can not inform you how typically they’ve prevented me from becoming a whole bag inside a trunk, leading to a complete bunch of ineffective leftover area. The i5 is one other instance.
One other subject is that this weirdly formed space on the left aspect of the trunk. It is ineffective.
OK, let’s examine how a lot can match.
Unhappy trombone. That is the 4 greatest baggage with the flowery bag down beneath and the cost wire plopped on prime. Regardless of all that additional area, there was simply no approach to match the small blue curler bag. Imagine me, I attempted.
Now, clearly I may simply repack in smaller, soft-sided duffle baggage and convey all my stuff alongside. However what if I used to be selecting individuals up from the airport?
“However you stated you had a 17.3-cubic-foot trunk! I nearly introduced my cooler!”
The i5’s principal 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 methodology Mercedes and seemingly each different firm makes use of. Even when BMW used that very same methodology, although, all that leftover area would nonetheless end result within the i5’s trunk being much less helpful than its quantity would point out. Its dimensions, particularly its lack of top, is extra essential right here than any general quantity could be.
That is in the end 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 wire 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 beneath it, you probably have the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40 mannequin, a large motor-size cavity. If this was an M60 or upcoming xDrive40, there’d presumably be a entrance motor unit in that cavity. Both method, no frunk.
Again to the trunk. Both sides has a useful little grocery hook. There’s additionally a small bin on the fitting aspect to retailer the proprietor’s handbook or no matter.
So that is the BMW i5 trunk. Now for some somber Baggage Check information …
It’s with nice unhappiness that I announce the passing of the Small Blue Curler Bag. I picked it up sooner or later with the highest deal with and the plastic shell it is connected to broke/ripped aside from its connection on the extending strolling deal with thingy. It had been my principal suitcase for practically a decade and though I’ve changed a number of wheel items through the years 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 may 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 exams). That, nonetheless, was extremely janky. I would want a brand new main suitcase, and though I may actually preserve the small blue curler bag round to take care of continuity for baggage exams, that will imply maintaining a bag in my storage ONLY for baggage exams. I not often use one of many medium black baggage as it’s. No, I might search an precisely sized alternative. It will not be straightforward. That story subsequent time.
For the time being, farewell pal. Good touring with you.