The 2025 BMW M5 Touring

American BMW followers, rejoice – the wait is lastly over! For the primary time ever, BMW is bringing the M5 Touring (or “wagon,” because it’s known as stateside) to the U.S., whereas additionally marking a return of the M5 Touring lineup after many years. The final M5 Touring was the E61 M5 Wagon, a rarity that by no means made it to North America.

And but, within the BMW neighborhood, we had our hearts set on one thing else: the nimble M3 Touring, that compact, corner-carving wagon. As an alternative, BMW determined to upsize with the larger, beefier, and sure, pricier M5 Touring. Is it what we wished? No. However with a staggering quantity of energy and real-world practicality, nobody ought to be too fast to dismiss this beastly wagon. Actually, after spending time with it, I can confidently say that this can be a automotive that delivers excess of it initially promised.

Specs That Pack a Punch

Underneath the hood, the M5 Touring mirrors its sedan sibling (the G90 M5) with a sophisticated plug-in hybrid drivetrain. The S68 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 is paired with an electrical motor built-in into BMW’s easy ZF 8-speed automated transmission. Collectively, they ship an astonishing 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, propelling this wagon from 0 to 60 mph in simply 3.4 seconds. And due to its hybrid setup, the M5 Touring provides as much as 25 miles of pure electrical vary – good for these fast, emissions-free metropolis errands.

The M5 Touring matches the sedan in size and width however is barely taller, because of its roof rails, so actually the the principle distinction between the M5 and the M5 Touring lies within the Touring’s bigger rear cargo house. With the rear seats within the regular place, it provides a 17.7-cubic-foot baggage space, however it will probably expanded to 57.6 cubic toes when the rear seats are folded flat. Past this, the M5 Touring shares the identical mix of luxurious and know-how discovered within the sedan model.

The M5 Touring provides an additional 140 kilos, bringing its curb weight to five,530 kilos, in line with BMW’s specs. Okay, there is a little more weight, however within the grand scheme of issues, it received’t make a lot of a distinction, if any. The burden distribution can also be a bit totally different, the truth is, the M5 Touring will get nearer to the 50:50 determine, in comparison with the M5 Sedan which begins with 54% on the front-axle and goes could also be right down to 52%, relying on the gear.

A Driving Expertise Tailor-made to Each Temper

BMW has designed the M5 Touring, similar to the M5 sedan, with a number of driving personalities. The default Hybrid mode routinely balances the gasoline engine and electrical motor for environment friendly but highly effective driving. The electrical-only mode permits emissions-free journeys, ideally suited for city commutes, whereas the Dynamic and Dynamic Plus modes will crank up the settings additional, optimizing the touring for observe use.

There’s additionally one other cool mode, normal this time, known as eControl. Primarily, in case you’re prepared for extra spirited driving, this mode preps the battery and engine for optimum efficiency, guaranteeing you’re prepared for high-speed bursts. This versatility permits the M5 Touring to modify from comfy household cruiser to roaring beast with a faucet on the display screen.

In Electrical Mode, the M5 runs solely on battery energy, providing as much as 25 miles (EPA-rated) or 64 km (WLTP) of vary, with a prime velocity of 87 mph (140 kph). I didn’t precisely concentrate on effectivity throughout my take a look at drive; regardless of pushing the M5 exhausting and making a number of high-speed Autobahn runs, I returned to base with virtually the identical electrical vary as after I began. For these interested in excessive use circumstances, you can absolutely deplete the battery on the Autobahn by staying in EV mode. Naturally, when the battery runs out, you lose entry to the extra 194 horsepower from the electrical motor.

With much less evaluation time than I had for the M5 Sedan, I didn’t handle a 0-60 mph take a look at, however I count on comparable outcomes—round 3.2 to three.4 seconds, relying on floor circumstances and tire temperature.

Steering & Suspension: Consolation Meets Precision

Very similar to the sedan, the brand new BMW M5 Touring options coil springs, mounted anti-roll bars, and adaptive dampers on all 4 corners. But it surely’s bringing in some tips from the M3 Touring: an additional under-body bracing. The springs are the identical as within the M5 sedan, however its tuning is totally different with revised bump stops and dampers rebound. The suspension is definitely a spotlight, fine-tuned to handle each consolation and efficiency. In Consolation mode, the Touring provides a easy, cushioned journey, ideally suited for lengthy journeys or each day commutes. Change to Sport mode, and the suspension stiffens up, delivering a extra linked and agile really feel. Regardless of its dimension and weight, the M5 Touring proves itself adaptable to a variety of surfaces and driving kinds.

Within the steering division, the M5 Touring lacks a few of the suggestions you’d count on from an M automotive. The inputs are exact, however there’s only a common really feel of a useless zone whereas the steering wheel is at 12 o’clock marker. Although the steering is considerably muted, refined highway suggestions trickles by, hinting on the M5 Touring’s underlying precision and agility.

To summarize it, this what I mentioned within the M5 sedan evaluation and it applies to the touring as effectively: “The steering feels mild within the Consolation mode, and once more, that’s by design. As with most trendy BMWs, it solely involves life in its highest settings. The Sport steering provides heft and a bit extra precision, but not a lot suggestions is coming by from the entrance wheels. Total, I prefer it.”

There’s minimal physique roll, which is essential in a touring with this a lot weight, because of BMW’s use of strengthened braces and suspension tuning. Integral Energetic Steering, normal on the Touring, gives additional maneuverability, turning the rear wheels barely to assist navigate tight areas and supply stability at excessive speeds. The rear-wheel steering permits the rear wheels to show as much as 1.5 levels.

Brakes That Get the Job Achieved – and Then Some

Given its heft, the M5 Touring wants severe stopping energy, and BMW’s non-obligatory 420 mm carbon-ceramic brakes are as much as the duty. These large brakes present ample stopping energy, bringing the automotive to a halt easily and with out fade, even beneath repeated exhausting braking. In case you’re planning on pushing this wagon’s limits, significantly on winding roads, these carbon ceramics are a worthwhile improve.

Exhausting braking does trigger a little bit of nose-dive, a pure results of the automotive’s weight, however the system is in any other case flawless. I haven’t examined the usual brakes, however for severe driving fans, the costly carbon ceramics could be the way in which to go.

A Observe on Exhaust Sound and OPF

The European M5 Touring contains an Otto Particulate Filter (OPF) to satisfy emissions requirements, which barely mutes the exhaust sound. Within the U.S., the place OPF isn’t required, the Touring comes with a louder and extra participating sound. On the Autobahn, the automotive felt satisfying even with the OPF (and with the faux sound turned on), however American consumers will recognize the additional auditory punch.

Inside, switching to electrical mode provides close to silence, reinforcing the dual-nature expertise BMW has crafted. Going from near-silent cruising to V8-fueled roars on the push of a button? That’s the type of versatility some fans will recognize. I made some extent to measure the cabin noise utilizing the NIOSH app on my iPhone, which gives pretty dependable readings. Whereas it is probably not a superbly correct take a look at, I recorded an LAeq of 64.9 dB in Electrical Mode and 71.2 dB in Hybrid Mode, each taken whereas driving on the Autobahn at round 80 mph.

A Few Cons

There are a couple of options lacking from the M5 Touring that depart me wanting extra. First, the dearth of a cut up tailgate. Though it wasn’t anticipated, because the 5 Sequence Touring doesn’t have it both, it’s such an iconic BMW wagon characteristic that the product staff may’ve pushed to retain it. Or at the least included within the base value. Then there’s the absence of a carbon fiber roof—similar to with the M3 Touring. It’s at all times a bit odd to see an M automotive with out a normal or non-obligatory carbon roof, given what the model represents. Would it not have made a distinction for weight or driving dynamics? In all probability not, however it might’ve been nice to have that sporty look.

Inside, I additionally miss the gear shifter. Simplifying the middle console is sensible, however there’s one thing satisfying about gripping that M shifter and even “rowing” by gears your self. Lastly, whereas iDrive 8.5 is quicker and refined—particularly with the M-specific graphics—the trade-off for these massive screens is fewer bodily buttons. I’m adjusting to the contact controls and voice instructions, however I’m not precisely thrilled with the shift in person expertise.

The M5 Touring: A Household Wagon with an M Badge

In a world dominated by SUVs, the BMW M5 Touring stands out as a family-friendly various with severe driving credentials. Whereas the M3 Touring could be the fanatic’s first selection, and ours as effectively, the brand new BMW M5 Touring provides practicality and additional house, making it viable as a household automotive that doesn’t sacrifice on efficiency. With almost 15 cubic toes extra cargo house than the sedan, it’s a implausible selection for many who need an M automotive with out giving up utility. In fact, a plug-in hybrid SUV just like the X5 50e would possibly provide extra cargo house – 71.2 cubic-feet of cargo house with the rear seats folded – however the driving expertise may also be utterly totally different.

Verdict: Sensible Powerhouse or Beastly Grocery-Getter?

For American BMW followers, this Touring mannequin marks a historic second, as the primary M5 wagon to hit U.S. roads. It is also the final, as the way forward for M fashions with inner combustion engines stays unsure. For now, although, the M5 Touring claims a singular spot out there as a efficiency hybrid enterprise wagon that may deal with each the quick lane and household life.

Certain, it’s not the M3 Touring many hoped for in North America, nevertheless it’s a worthy contender with greater than sufficient energy, utility, and magnificence to earn its place in BMW’s lineup. This automotive could also be heavy, nevertheless it proves that, for each day driving, weight isn’t all the things – particularly when it’s paired with this a lot energy.

The 2025 BMW M5 Touring begins at $121,500. Whereas that six-figure price ticket could seem steep initially, it’s solely $2,000 greater than the sedan and about the identical because the Audi RS6 Avant. Given the selection tomorrow between the sedan and the M5 Touring, the Touring can be the apparent decide for me.