BMW fans, rejoice, the wagon is back. For just the third time in the nameplate’s legendary history, the BMW M5 Touring makes a return. And this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and more electrified than ever before.
Since the first M5 arrived in 1984, the model has stood as the benchmark for performance sedans. But it wasn’t until 1992, with the E34-generation M5, that BMW dared to build an estate version. The E61 Touring of the mid-2000s followed with its glorious, high-revving V10. Now, in 2025, the wagon returns, this time as a plug-in hybrid, with 727 horsepower, 1000Nm of torque, and the sort of tech you’d expect from a luxury spaceship.
Design That Demands Attention
The new M5 Touring is hard to miss. Stretching just over 5.1 metres, it has the same footprint as the sedan, but the added estate roofline adds versatility—and a heap more road presence. Painted here in a stunning Isle of Man Green Metallic (one of 10 colours available in NZ), it’s clear BMW isn’t playing it safe.
At the front, the now-iconic illuminated kidney grille dominates the fascia. It’s flanked by aggressive LED headlights and a heavily sculpted front bumper. Down the sides, carbon fibre mirror caps, flared arches, and 20-inch M Sport wheels wrapped in performance rubber underscore the performance pedigree.
The rear is just as purposeful. LED taillights, an M-specific split diffuser, and quad exhaust outlets remind you this is not your average family hauler. Open the tailgate and you’re greeted with a practical 500 litres of boot space, enough for road trips, sports gear, or the weekly shopping, if you can resist the temptation to carve up back roads on your way to the supermarket.
Powertrain – Hybrid, But Hardcore
At the heart of the M5 Touring is a monster of a powertrain: a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 paired with an electric motor and 18.6 kWh battery. The combined system outputs a staggering 535 kW (727 hp) and 1000 Nm, making this the most powerful M5 ever.
0–100 km/h takes just 3.6 seconds, despite this car weighing over 2.5 tonnes. Yes, it weighs more than an X5, but thanks to BMW’s clever hybrid integration and xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the M5 Touring launches like a rocket.
You even get 65 km of EV-only range, perfect for commuting in silence. And no, this isn’t a compromise hybrid setup. Around town, the electric motor alone is smooth, punchy, and more than capable of keeping up with traffic. But when the V8 kicks in, the full ferocity of M power is unleashed, and the sound, while more muted than older M5s, is still deeply satisfying.
Interior – Orange You Glad It’s Not Boring? Dad joke.
Step inside, and the Touring reveals its luxurious side. Our test car came fitted with vibrant orange M multifunction seats, trimmed in extended Merino leather that also wraps the door cards. It’s bold, sporty, and surprisingly elegant, especially when contrasted with the green exterior.
Carbon fibre trim stretches from door to door, though buyers can also opt for brushed aluminium or even oak wood if they want to make a statement. M-specific touches abound—from the M gear selector, to the M steering wheel, and the customisable M1 and M2 buttons that allow for quick access to pre-set driving modes.
Tech is equally impressive. The curved display combines a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen running BMW’s latest iDrive. The LED interaction bar adds visual drama, adapting to drive modes and ambient lighting themes. And of course, there’s a Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system to match the drama with serious audio punch.
Driving Experience – Everyday Supercar
So what does 727 hp feel like in a wagon? The answer: otherworldly.
Thanks to the hybrid system, torque is instantaneous. Even before the turbos spool, the electric motor fills the gap and shoves you forward with brutal force. Launch control is savage. The Boost Control function gives you short bursts of max output—perfect for overtakes or just a cheeky smile-inducing pull away from the lights.
But raw pace is only part of the story. The Adaptive M Suspension does a brilliant job of controlling the mass through corners. In the dry, there’s immense grip. In the wet (like on our test day) it’s still composed, planted, and confidence-inspiring. You do feel the weight during quick direction changes or under hard braking, but only slightly. For something this large, the Touring handles with remarkable agility.
Steering feedback is well judged, not razor-sharp, but appropriately weighted and precise. And when you want to take it easy, the M5 Touring settles into a calm, luxurious cruiser with minimal road noise, strong regenerative braking, and comfortable ride quality in its softest setting.
Drive Modes and Customisation
The M5 Touring offers Road, Sport, and Track modes, which control everything from throttle response and suspension stiffness, to brake regeneration and steering feel. But the real party piece is in the M Setup menu, which lets you customise each element and save them to the steering wheel-mounted M1 and M2 buttons.
You can dive into settings for: Drivetrain (hybrid or full petrol). Chassis (comfort to track). Steering. Brakes (comfort or sport response). xDrive system (even a rear-wheel-drive mode, if you’re brave). And yes, there’s even a lap timer for track days, because why wouldn’t you?
The Ultimate M5?
BMW has taken a risk here, making the M5 not only a Touring, but also a plug-in hybrid. Yet, somehow, it works. The 2025 BMW M5 Touring is an astonishing achievement: faster than most supercars, more versatile than most SUVs, and still true to the M5 ethos of understated (or not-so-understated) performance.
For enthusiasts who want one car that does it all, track days, road trips, school runs, and city EV commuting, this is quite possibly the most complete performance vehicle on the market today.
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s heavy. But it’s also one of the coolest, fastest, most capable wagons ever built. And that, in 2025, feels like a win for car lovers everywhere.
