Lotus Emeya vs BMW i5
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Lotus Emeya: we're still completing price, turning circle and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
102kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 420kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 420kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
81.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 205kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 205kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Lotus Emeya features a 15.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.6-inch digital dash, while the BMW i5 gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lotus Emeya stands out with Apple CarPlay, V2L and KEF audio that you will not find on the BMW i5. The BMW i5 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, heated front seats and Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Lotus Emeya gets leather upholstery while the BMW i5 offers vernasca leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the Lotus Emeya and 2-zone in the BMW i5.
Drivetrain
The Lotus Emeya uses a Electric Motor producing 450kW and 710Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.2 seconds.
The BMW i5 responds with a Electric making 250kW and 400Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6 seconds.
The Lotus Emeya has the clear power advantage at 450kW vs 250kW. In the real-world sprint, the Lotus Emeya is 1.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 102kWh (Lotus Emeya) vs 81.2kWh (BMW i5), giving WLTP ranges of 610km and 557km. DC fast charging peaks at 420kW (Lotus Emeya) vs 205kW (BMW i5).
Space & Comfort
The Lotus Emeya measures 5,139mm long on a 3,069mm wheelbase, 79mm longer than the BMW i5 at 5,060mm (2,995mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lotus Emeya generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 509L in the Lotus Emeya and 490L in the BMW i5, giving the Lotus Emeya a 19L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.9m diameter
Average
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Lotus Emeya) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i5). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Lotus Emeya if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Lotus's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW i5 if: You or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Lotus Emeya takes 8 of 8 key spec categories. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Lotus Emeya and BMW i5?
The BMW i5 is the cheapest at $155,900 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW i5 has the most range at 582km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Lotus Emeya accepts the highest DC charging at up to 420kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Lotus Emeya and BMW i5 carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lotus Emeya has the largest boot at 509L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lotus Emeya makes the most power at 450kW. The Lotus Emeya is quickest to 100km/h in 4.2s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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