ADAC, Germany’s largest car club, tested 84 cars in 2024. The results surprised many, as it was not a flashy luxury car that topped the rankings, but rather a family-friendly electric car. Among the cars tested, the BMW i5 made a strong impression, securing a place in the top three. As expected, this year’s tests showed a clear trend: electric cars are taking over. The VW ID.7 came out on top with a score of 1.5, thanks to its balance between comfort, practicality and environmental friendliness. It beat out several premium models, showing that you don’t need to spend a fortune to buy a high-performance car. In second place was the BMW i5 eDrive40 with a score of 1.6. As a top-rated premium vehicle, the i5 impressed testers with its smooth performance and clean energy use.
The i5 is a rear-wheel drive electric sedan with 340 horsepower, making it powerful and efficient. It has a practical range of 500 kilometers on a single charge (WLTP cycle), while using only 19.1 kWh per 100 kilometers in the vehicle. ADAC tests. This efficiency helped it become the cleanest luxury car of the year. The car’s driving experience also scored high marks. BMW’s focus on handling and comfort ensures the i5 feels dynamic and smooth, living up to the brand’s reputation for fun driving.
Room for improvement
The BMW i5 isn’t perfect. ADAC notes that its charging speed isn’t as fast as some competitors, which could be a downside for long-distance drivers. Testers also noted the car’s higher price, making it less affordable for many buyers. Another criticism was its size, at over 5 meters long, the i5 can feel unwieldy, especially in tight spaces. Despite its large exterior appearance, the interior space is not as spacious as expected for a car of this size. The updated iDrive system, which now has fewer physical buttons, also received mixed reviews. Some drivers miss the older, more tactile controls.
Electric cars dominate the global rankings
Electric vehicles dominated ADAC’s top 10 list this year. Along with the VW ID.7 and BMW i5, cars like the Mercedes EQE SUV and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron also received high ratings. In fact, the only non-electric car in the top ten was the Skoda Superb Combi 2.0 TDI, showing how electric cars are becoming the new standard for performance and efficiency.