One of the matchups I’ve been waiting to tackle this year is the EV vs. PHEV argument. Now that I’ve tested the 2026 BMW i5 and 2026 BMW 550e for a week each, I have a better understanding of how each one performs and the unique value they bring to the table.
They’re both mid-size luxury sedans in BMW’s current 5 Series lineup. While they look virtually identical on the outside, they represent the best of their respective powertrains. On one hand, you have the all-electric BMW i5, which looks mighty tempting with current gas prices. On the other, there’s the plug-in hybrid BMW 550e, which still relies on gas power but offers a dedicated battery for up to 33 miles of electric-only range.
