BMW’s official specs point out that the BMW i5 has a 17.3 cubic-foot trunk. “Wow!” you may say, if you happen to’ve been preserving observe of sedan trunk volumes. Oh, you have not? Bizarre. Nicely, that may be greater than the 16.7 cubes you will discover in a Honda Accord, which can’t solely swallow all six customary Baggage Take a look at luggage, however the 38-quart cooler that is normally 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 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 achieved 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 house. Not less than not utilizing the identical measurement technique 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 positive in some unspecified time in the future you are going to learn that the i5 has “spectacular trunk house” and even “class-leading trunk house” as a result of that is actually what the specs would point out. By way of precise house, although, it does not. That spec is misleading. I am unable to think about BMW goes out of its strategy 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 might be marketed as greater 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 Take a look at, I exploit two midsize curler suitcases that may must be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 huge, 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 must stow the emergency cost twine down there.
For the needs of cramming essentially the most baggage doable within the trunk, although, you could have to relocate that cost twine and use the house 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 best given the digital camera angle and the totally different bag used, however you possibly can clearly see that there’s loads of house 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 peak worse are these previous Baggage Take a look at villains, the distant again seat launch latches. These are actually useful, however I am unable to inform you how typically they’ve prevented me from becoming a whole bag inside a trunk, leading to an entire bunch of ineffective leftover house. 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 examine how a lot can match.
Unhappy trombone. That is the 4 largest luggage with the flowery bag down beneath and the cost twine plopped on high. Regardless of all that further house, there was simply no strategy to match the small blue curler bag. Imagine me, I attempted.
Now, clearly I might simply repack in smaller, soft-sided duffle luggage and convey all my stuff alongside. However what if I used to be selecting individuals up from the airport?
“However you mentioned you had a 17.3-cubic-foot trunk! I nearly introduced my cooler!”
The i5’s primary competitor, the Mercedes EQE Sedan, can match all the luggage (barely) in what’s precisely labeled 15 cubic-feet of house. 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 house 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 in the end the takeaway right here.
Now, to different issues.
The i5 doesn’t have a frunk. True, frunks are normally barely bigger than a briefcase, however that is normally sufficient to retailer the emergency cost twine and the tire restore package (as I do in my Kia Niro).
That is what you will discover within the i5. The world’s largest “engine cowl” and beneath it, when you 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 manner, no frunk.
Again to the trunk. Both sides has a useful little grocery hook. There’s additionally a small bin on the best 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 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 primary 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 injury was terminal. Pun not supposed.
As you possibly can see, I did a bang-up job patching the injury 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, nevertheless, was extremely janky. I would wish a brand new major suitcase, and though I might actually hold the small blue curler bag round to keep up continuity for baggage assessments, that may imply preserving a bag in my storage ONLY for baggage assessments. I not often use one of many medium black luggage as it’s. No, I might search an precisely sized alternative. It could not be straightforward. That story subsequent time.
In the interim, farewell buddy. Good touring with you.
