Compare the2024 BMW i5VS 2023 Porsche Taycan

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the i5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Taycan doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The i5 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Taycan doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The i5 has a standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Taycan doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The i5 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Taycan’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the i5’s standard Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Brake Intervention automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Taycan doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The i5’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Taycan doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the i5 and the Taycan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i5 for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the Taycan (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

There are over 80 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the i5’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the i5 gets better mileage than the Taycan Sedan:

The i5 can travel longer on a full charge than the Taycan Sedan on a full charge:

For better traction, the i5 has larger standard tires than the Taycan (245/45R19 vs. 225/55R19).

The i5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Taycan’s standard 55 series front tires.

The i5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Taycan; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i5’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the Taycan (117.9 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

For excellent aerodynamics, the i5 has standard flush composite headlights. The Taycan has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the i5 a Mid-size car, while the Taycan is rated a Compact.

The i5 has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Taycan (98 vs. 89).

The i5 has .9 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 4.3 inches more rear legroom and 3.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Taycan.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the i5 offers cargo security. The Taycan’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The i5’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Taycan.

If the windows are left open on the i5 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Taycan can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The i5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Taycan’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the i5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Taycan doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.