2025 BMW M5

The BMW M5 returns for 2025 with a new plug-in hybrid twin-turbocharged V8 drivetrain and an M5 Touring wagon variant — the first ever to grace U.S. shores. The 2025 BMW M5 uses the familiar 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with assistance from an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. Total system output is an eye-popping 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, which drives all four wheels via an M-tuned xDrive all-wheel-drive system. As in previous generations, the M5 is a comfortable highway cruiser that has the capability to quickly and effortlessly reach triple-digit speeds suitable for unrestricted sections of Germany's autobahn. It's also a competent handler in spite of its increased weight, and cornering ability is boosted by the addition of rear steering. Like the standard 5 Series on which it's based, the M5 features a sleek interior design with an impressive complement of tech.

Though previous M5 generations offered a wagon model for Europe, 2025 marks the first time the body style is available in the States. The 2025 BMW M5 Touring uses the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain, but it features an elongated roofline and rear hatch that arguably looks more cohesive than the sedan's boxy hind quarters. The addition of a rear roof pillar affords the M5 Touring a respectable 17.7 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats and an expansive 57.6 cubic feet with those seats folded down. BMW estimates the M5 Touring can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 3.5 seconds, which is only a tenth of a second slower than the M5 sedan. The Bavarian automaker is routinely conservative with its acceleration estimates, so you can likely expect that number to be even lower once our test team gets its hands on an M5 Touring.

The BMW M5 competes with other superlative performance variants in the midsize luxury sedan category, including the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and Audi RS 7 and RS 6 Avant. The M5's closest rival, the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S, is expected to return by 2026, possibly sporting a turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powerplant. Other options worth your consideration are the Porsche Panamera, the four-door Mercedes-AMG GT and the Maserati Quattroporte.