Car of the Year Awards 2026: Best executive car interior
For sheer wow factor when you step inside, even the Tesla Model 3 must bow to the technical tour de force that is the BMW i5. From ambient lighting that bathes the interior in any one of 15 colours, to its comfortable and supportive seats, the i5 feels like a business class lounge to the Model 3’s motel bar.
While both cars do a good job of showing you lots of information on their infotainment screens, BMW goes a step further by including a rotary controller between the front seats, allowing you to make adjustments without distraction while you’re driving. It’s just a shame that you have to use the touchscreen or voice control to adjust interior temperature, because there
are no physical controls for this.
Although the Model 3 hardly feels bargain basement inside, the i5’s materials and build quality are even better. It’s classier and more robust than the Audi A6 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQE, too. As for passengers, they’ll have more space in the back than they would in an A6 e-tron or EQE.
Most buyers will find their needs well catered for by the Model 3, but if your budget can stretch to a first-class ticket, there’s nothing to match the i5.
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