NIO Firefly 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.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
NIO Firefly: not on sale yet, so NIO hasn't published price and energy consumption.
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.
Track the NIO Firefly & BMW i5
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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.
Recalls on our record
NIO Firefly
None open on our record
BMW i5
- REC-006556 · published 6 Mar 2026The air conditioning (A/C) wiring harness may become damaged during routine microfilter (cabin air filter) replacement.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-005906 · published 5 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-005801 · published 23 Oct 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the steering wheel earth wire may become loose.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
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
44.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 100kW 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 NIO Firefly features a 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 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 NIO Firefly stands out with Apple CarPlay, V2L and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the BMW i5. The BMW i5 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The NIO Firefly uses a Single electric motor producing 105kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 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 BMW i5 has the clear power advantage at 250kW vs 105kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW i5 is 2.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 41.2kWh (NIO Firefly) vs 81.2kWh (BMW i5), giving WLTP ranges of 330km and 557km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (NIO Firefly) vs 205kW (BMW i5).
Space & Comfort
The NIO Firefly measures 4,003mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 1057mm shorter than the BMW i5 at 5,060mm (2,995mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW i5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 404L in the NIO Firefly and 490L in the BMW i5, giving the BMW i5 a 86L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 11.9m
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 7 years / 150,000km (NIO Firefly) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i5). The NIO Firefly has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the NIO Firefly if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer NIO's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW i5 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BMW i5: Top CarSorted Score, 67 vs 54
The BMW i5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (67 vs 54), taking 8 of 10 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (BMW i5 ahead by 48), technology (BMW i5 ahead by 46), performance (BMW i5 ahead by 30). If boot space matters, the BMW i5 has a clear edge. The NIO Firefly adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, NIO Firefly 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 BMW i5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 205kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW i5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for NIO Firefly, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW i5 has the largest boot at 490L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The NIO Firefly has the longest warranty at 7 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW i5 makes the most power at 250kW. The BMW i5 is quickest to 100km/h in 6s.
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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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