BMW M5 – Envision merging onto the highway with the subtlety of a luxury cruiser, only to unleash a torrent of power that catapults you forward like a supercar—zero to 60 in under 3.5 seconds, all while sipping electric-only miles in city traffic. That’s the thrill of the 2025 BMW M5, the seventh-generation icon that’s blending blistering V8 fury with smart hybrid tech for the ultimate executive weapon. Starting at $119,500, this super sedan (or optional wagon) delivers 717 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a suite of gadgets that make it as daily-driveable as it is track-dominating. If you’re hunting for “2025 BMW M5 specs,” “M5 price and features,” or “best super sedan 2025,” this in-depth guide uncovers why BMW’s M5 remains the benchmark for high-performance luxury—now electrified and unstoppable.
A Storied Legacy: How the BMW M5 Evolved from Track Terror to Hybrid Titan
Since its 1984 debut, the M5 has been BMW’s mad scientist experiment: stuffing race-bred engines into a practical five-seat sedan to create the world’s first super saloon. From the E28’s inline-six growl to the F90’s 627-hp V8 monster, each generation pushed boundaries, earning cult status among enthusiasts for its surgical handling and sleeper looks.
The 2025 M5, built on the G90 5-Series platform, marks a seismic shift as BMW’s first plug-in hybrid M5. Debuting in late 2024, it borrows the XM SUV’s M Hybrid system but amps it up for 717 hp—100 more than its predecessor. With U.S. sales kicking off in 2025, including the long-awaited M5 Touring wagon (first stateside M wagon ever), it’s tailored for American appetites: more power, EV range, and space. Critics hail it as a “moonshot” evolution, though its added heft sparks debate. Still, with over 40 years of DNA, the M5 isn’t just surviving electrification—it’s thriving.
Exterior Design: Aggressive Stance with Subtle Sophistication
The 2025 M5 doesn’t scream; it whispers threats. Its widened track (by 2.7 inches over the standard 5-Series) and flared arches house massive 20-inch front/21-inch rear wheels, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tires for otherworldly grip. Up front, the illuminated kidney grille glows like a predator’s eyes, flanked by slim LED lasers and a gaping maw for cooling that twin-turbo V8. The sedan stretches 199.2 inches long with a 117.1-inch wheelbase, while the Touring adds a sleek roofline for wagon practicality without losing the athletic crouch.
Aerodynamic wizardry includes active flaps and a subtle rear diffuser, channeling air to massive brakes (optional carbon-ceramics). Choose from Frozen Deep Gray or Marina Bay Blue, with carbon-fiber accents via the M Carbon package for that race-ready edge. At 5,390 pounds for the sedan (5,500 for Touring), it’s hefty, but the low-slung profile and quad exhaust tips ensure it moves with menacing grace—perfect for blending into valet lines before dominating backroads.
Interior Comfort: Opulent Thrones Meet Track-Focused Tech
Inside, the M5’s cabin is a paradox: vast enough for four adults on cross-country jaunts, yet cockpit-intimate for the driver. Merino leather wraps multi-contour seats with massage functions and ventilation—huge, supportive thrones that rival a 7-Series for luxury. The dashboard sweeps into a 14.9-inch curved touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital cluster running iDrive 8.5, with M-specific gauges showing boost, torque vectoring, and hybrid flow.
Ambient lighting shifts moods (64 colors), and four-zone climate keeps passengers blissed out. Rear space? Generous 38 inches of legroom, though the sedan’s 14 cubic feet of trunk grows to 57.7 with seats folded— the Touring boasts 19.4 cubic feet behind the seats, expanding to 60.7 for gear-hauling adventures. Bowers & Wilkins audio (20 speakers, 1,800 watts) turns commutes into concerts, while a panoramic sunroof floods light without glare. It’s plush yet purposeful, with Alcantara accents and red start buttons reminding you this isn’t your grandma’s 5-Series.
Engine, Performance, and Efficiency: 717 HP of Hybrid Havoc
At its core, the M5’s M Hybrid system fuses a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 (577 hp/553 lb-ft alone) with a rear-axle electric motor (197 hp/207 lb-ft) for a combined 717 hp and 738 lb-ft—enough to hurl 5,000+ pounds to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds (sedan) or 3.5 (Touring). An eight-speed auto snaps shifts, while M xDrive AWD (with 2WD mode) and rear-axle steering make it dance like a lighter machine.
Efficiency? Up to 25 miles of EV-only range from its 18.6-kWh battery, with hybrid MPG around 16-17 combined—better than the old V8’s 15/21, but thirsty in full attack (under 10 mpg). Top speed hits 190 mph (electronically limited), and quarter-mile times dip into the low 11s. Adaptive dampers and drive modes (Hybrid, Electric, eDrive, Sport) transform it from silent commuter to snarling beast. It’s not the quickest M5 ever (edging the prior CS by a hair), but the seamless power delivery feels otherworldly.
| Key Performance Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 + Electric Motor (PHEV) |
| Total Power | 717 hp |
| Total Torque | 738 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | M xDrive AWD |
| 0-60 mph | 3.4 sec (Sedan) / 3.5 sec (Touring) |
| Top Speed | 190 mph |
| EV Range | ~25 miles |
| MPG (Hybrid) | 16-17 combined (est.) |
| Curb Weight | 5,390 lbs (Sedan) / 5,500 lbs (Touring) |
Off-Road? Nah—Track and Twisties: Where the M5 Conquers Corners
Forget mud; the M5 is paved paradise. With 15.7 inches of ground clearance (barely), it’s glued to tarmac via active roll stabilization and torque-vectoring AWD. Rear steering (up to 3 degrees) shrinks the turning circle to 39 feet, making it nimble in tight esses despite the mass. Braking? 60-0 in 105 feet with carbon-ceramics, shrugging off fade after repeated stops.
On sinuous roads, it bullies corners with surgical precision—g-forces north of 1.0g lateral grip—but the weight shows in transitions, demanding respect. It’s a “heavyweight that bullies other BMWs,” per testers, outpacing M3s on straights while masking heft in daily drives. For track days, the M Driver’s Package adds a one-day school; otherwise, it’s your Autobahn tamer.
Technology and Infotainment: iDrive Mastery with M Flair
iDrive 8.5 shines on the curved display: wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, and augmented reality views are seamless. Voice commands handle everything from climate to playlists, while the head-up display projects M-specific data like power output. Gaming and streaming? Parked only, but 5G connectivity keeps you linked. The optional Executive package adds a rear entertainment camera and power shades for limousine vibes. It’s intuitive, responsive, and M-tuned—less glitchy than prior gens.
Safety Features: Advanced Aids for High-Speed Sanity
Standard kit includes forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driving Assistance Pro pack enables hands-free highway driving up to 85 mph. No crash ratings yet (NHTSA/IIHS pending), but the reinforced chassis and 14.3:1 steering ratio promise stability. Speedy? Sure, but safety nets like evasive steering assist keep it sane.
Trim Levels and Pricing: One Config, Endless Options
The 2025 M5 skips tiers for a loaded single spec, but add-ons escalate fast. Sedan starts at $119,500; Touring at $121,500 (plus $1,175 destination). Expect $140K+ as-tested with carbon brakes ($8,500) and M Carbon exterior ($6,600).
| Model | Starting MSRP | Key Standard Features |
|---|---|---|
| M5 Sedan | $119,500 | PHEV V8, M xDrive, 20/21″ wheels, Merino leather, Bowers & Wilkins audio, iDrive 8.5 |
| M5 Touring | $121,500 | Same as Sedan + 19.4 cu ft cargo, power liftgate, cargo shades |
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles basic; 8 years/80,000 miles on battery. Lease from $1,800/month; resale holds strong for M cars.
Pros and Cons: The Raw Truth on BMW’s Boldest M5
Pros:
- Insane 717 hp makes it the quickest M5 yet, with EV stealth.
- Luxe interior and tech rival Bentleys at half the price.
- Wagon option adds real-world versatility without compromise.
- Adaptive everything turns weight into an asset on straights.
Cons:
- 5,400+ pounds dulls agility in tight corners vs. lighter rivals.
- Hybrid complexity and thirst (10 mpg max attack) demand discipline.
- Steep pricing; options balloon to $150K easily.
- Interface learning curve for iDrive newbies.
Averaging 8/10 from critics, it’s “mind-boggling” but polarizing.
Rivals Roundup: M5 vs. the Super Sedan Elite
The M5 towers over the Mercedes-AMG E63 (603 hp, $115K) in power and EV range but lags in refinement. Audi RS7 (621 hp, $120K) matches pace with sharper handling, yet lacks the M5’s hybrid edge. Porsche Panamera Turbo S (620 hp, $200K+) is lighter and more engaging, but pricier. For wagons, it edges the Audi RS6 Avant in tech, though both guzzle fuel. If hybrid muscle trumps pure analog thrill, M5 reigns.
Wrapping Up: Should You Snag the 2025 BMW M5?
The 2025 BMW M5 isn’t flawless—its heft and hybrid quirks challenge purists—but it redefines super sedans with 717 hp that feels effortless, 25 EV miles for guilt-free grins, and luxury that coddles after conquests. At $119,500, it’s for those who demand the ultimate: a family hauler that humiliates supercars. Sedan for sleekness, Touring for space—either way, it’s BMW’s bold bet on electrified excess.
