Overview First introduced 40 years ago, the BMW M5 is a founding father of the now populous premium sports sedan class of overperforming luxury four doors. Times have changed dramatically since the analog age, though, and the newest M5 employs an all-wheel-drive, plug-in hybrid V-8 powertrain to do its rubber roasting. The latest M5 is a vehicle of many digits, with an output of 717 horsepower, a top speed of up to 190 mph, and a whopping curb weight of 5251 pounds. And while its new gas-electric setup has added some serious poundage, it grants the M5 an EPA-estimated 25 miles of all-electric driving range and does little to subtract from its balanced chassis, Herculean cornering grip, and world-conquering performance. What’s New for 2026?The BMW M5 has received a bump to its maximum charge rate for 2026, now up to 11kW from 7.4 kW previously. Two new interior leather options are available, including a dark Violet/Black Merino leather combo or a Taupe/Deep Lagoon pairing. Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 BMW M5 starts at $123,275.The new M5 is offered in a single trim level, but there are several big-ticket options and packages available. Carbon-ceramic brakes are extra, and the M Drive Professional package adds additional drive modes. BMW will also offer an M Driver’s package that increases the claimed top speed from 155 mph to 190 mph. The Executive package adds desirable equipment, including ventilated front seats, rear-seat sunshades, a park-assist system, and heated rear seats.Engine, Transmission, and PerformanceThe BMW M5’s plug-in-hybrid powertrain combines a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Total output sits at 717 horsepower, and all-wheel drive remains standard. There are all manner of drive modes that adjust how the car uses its various propulsion sources, including a setting for the all-wheel-drive system that enables a rear-wheel-drive-biased drift mode. Adaptive dampers, rear-wheel steering, and huge brakes are standard. During our test drive of the M5, we found that it offers huge power and capable handling in its sportier drive modes while still maintaining good ride quality and a quiet, luxurious demeanor in Comfort mode. The wide range of vehicle settings and adjustments available can be overwhelming, but once you’re over the learning curve you should be able to dial in a mode that suits your liking. Our main complaints are with the numb steering and with the M5’s size and weight, which make it less engaging to drive than lighter competitors including the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.0–60-MPH TimesAt our test track, the M5 hit 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, but that’s not quite as quick as the previous-generation car, which did the deed in 2.8 seconds in Competition spec.More on the M5 SedanRange, Charging, and Battery LifeThe M5’s 14.8-kWh battery pack is said to provide 25 miles on electric power alone when fully charged. The M5’s battery pack can now be charged at a maximum rate of 11 kW, up from 7.4 kilowatts previously. That should speed up charge times significantly, but we haven’t had a chance to test that. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGThe EPA hasn’t released fuel economy information for the 2026 M5 yet, but the 2025 model received estimates of 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. We’ll update this section once the EPA posts information on the newest model and once we’ve taken it on our 75-mph real-world highway route. For more information on the M5’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoThe M5’s cabin is similar to the normal 5-series sedan on which it’s based—but with notable tweaks, including an M-specific flat-bottom steering wheel with customizable M buttons, a red center hash mark, and large shift paddles. Sportier seats are meant to hold you in more securely while driving hard, and the lighting elements and screen animations are also unique to the M5. Various leather, wood, and aluminum trim options are available. Otherwise, it retains the same five-seat layout, iDrive control knob, and large display screens as the 5-series. A panoramic sunroof and a Bowers & Wilkins audio system are standard equipment, although you can opt for a lightweight carbon-fiber roof that deletes the sunroof.The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityA 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch central infotainment touchscreen combine to present the driver with tons of configurable information. The infotainment system runs BMW’s iDrive 8.5 software, which comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other connectivity features, including video streaming and gaming, can be used only when the car is parked.How to Buy and Maintain a CarSafety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesThe M5 offers many driver-assistance features as standard, including automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. More advanced features—including BMW’s hands-free driving mode—are optional as part of the Driving Assistant Professional package. For more information about the M5’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance CoverageBMW’s warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance are about average for the luxury segment.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 BMW M5*
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, rear/all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $123,275/$146,225
POWERTRAIN
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, 577 hp, 553 lb-ft + AC motor, 194 hp, 207 lb-ft (combined output: 717 hp, 738 lb-ft; 15-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 7.4-kW onboard charger)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 16.5-in vented, cross-drilled ceramic disc/15.7-in vented, cross-drilled ceramic disc
Tires: Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z
F: HL285/40ZR-20 (111Y)★
R: HL295/35ZR-21 (110Y)★
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 118.3 in
Length: 200.6 in
Width: 77.6 in
Height: 59.4 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 57/45 ft3
Trunk Volume: 17 ft3
Curb Weight: 5251 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.0 sec
100 mph: 6.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 10.9 sec @ 130 mph
150 mph: 15.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.5 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.3 sec
Top Speed (mfr claim): 190 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 324 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.98 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 18 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 14/12/17 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 50 MPGe
EV Range: 25 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
* Test results and specs apply to current model year.More Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
