Compare the2025 BMW i5VS 2025 Lotus Emeya

The i5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Emeya doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW i5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Emeya doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Emeya doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the i5 and the Emeya have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The i5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Emeya’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The i5 comes with free roadside assistance for 4 years unlimited miles. BMW will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Emeya.

The i5’s corrosion warranty is 4 years longer than the Emeya’s (12 vs. 8 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lotus doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Emeya.

There are over 9 times as many BMW dealers as there are Lotus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the i5’s warranty.

The BMW i5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 750 pounds less than the Lotus Emeya.

The i5 is 3.1 inches shorter than the Emeya, making the i5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The i5’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Emeya 4-Passenger doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the i5 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for brake fluid replacement and vehicle inspections based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Lotus doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Emeya.

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 Emeya doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The i5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Emeya doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i5, based on reliability, safety and performance.