Manufacturers offer hundreds of car models in the United States every year. Still, there are perhaps only a dozen that enthusiasts treat as signposts — benchmarks of what’s possible for a car. The BMW M5 is one of those few.
In some ways, the M5 may be the most important of the bunch. iIt has the cabin of a family sedan (the M5 is a 5 Series a little like Dwayne Johnson is a rock) and the character of a race car. Most car makers can build a comfortable commuter or a track-day toy; building both in one car takes know-how many career automotive engineers don’t have.
BMW has unveiled a new M5 for 2025. That’s the kind of news that makes lifelong gearheads sit up straight.
The 2025 BMW M5 will start at $120,675 (including the mandatory $1,175 destination fee). Deliveries begin this fall.
Plug-In Hybrid Tech, 717 HP
This year’s headline is a new plug-in hybrid powertrain. While hybrid tech was once the best way to build a fuel-sipper, engineers are increasingly using it as a performance tool.
The 2025 M5 makes 717 horsepower — more than any previous edition of the executive’s racecar. Its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 makes a bit less power than the 2023 version (the M5 sat out the 2024 model year). At 577 hp, it’s down 13 from what its predecessor made.
The drop doesn’t matter because an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed automatic transmission adds 140 more. Electric motors offer instant torque, unlike gas-powered engines, which have to ramp up from zero. So, the electric boost helps the new M5 leap from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.
Better yet, BMW says, “The prodigious torque gives the M Hybrid drive system outstanding elasticity, which is reflected in a time of 2.9 seconds for the sprint from 50 to 75 mph in fifth gear.” Not fast enough? Downshift to fourth for 2.2.
The speed comes despite its prodigious weight. The 2025 M5 weighs nearly 5,400 pounds—1,100 more than the 2023 version.
Every 2025 M5 uses BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) system. The top speed is limited to 155 mph, but the optional M Driver’s package unlocks 190.
All that power is surprisingly Earth-friendly. The plug-in hybrid system gets you “approximately 25 miles” on electricity alone before using a drop of gas.
The battery can recharge at 7.4 kilowatts – enough to justify installing a Level 2 charger at home.
Stiffer Structure, 4-Wheel Steering
Of course, balance in the corners is as important as raw power in an M car. “An extensive package of precisely interlinked M-specific bracing elements focused on enhancing driving dynamics increases the longitudinal and torsional stiffness of the body structure,” BMW says.
On paper, a double-wishbone front axle and 5-link rear axle resemble the standard 5 Series, but BMW says “new track control arms, camber control arms, and guide arms” were all “developed especially for high longitudinal and transverse dynamics.” Forged links and wheel carriers were forged from aluminum and an innovative sheet steel process to reduce unsprung mass.
“The M Servotronic steering for the new BMW M5 has been updated and unites speed-sensitive power assistance and a variable steering ratio,” while a rigid connection with the axle subframe should provide exceptional steering feedback.
Rear-wheel steering should reduce the turning circle at low speeds and aid stability at high speeds.
Anyone with M car experience knows that the tires are BMW’s secret weapon. Beefy 285/40ZR20s up front and 295/35ZR21s in the rear should provide enough contact patch to let you push your skills, and 6-piston fixed front brake calipers and single-piston floating rears help you save yourself when you exceed them.
Monolithic Look, Video Games (When Parked)
We’ll skip the exterior and interior changes. For more details, read our summary of the 2024 5 Series.
All new 5 Series models wear a more angular body, with faceted creases and thin LED lights. The M5 looks even more monolithic thanks to bulging wheel arches that make it 3 inches wider than a standard 5 Series.
A panoramic glass roof is standard, though buyers might want to specify the optional carbon fiber roof to match the mirror housings and to reduce that enormous weight.
Inside, carbon fiber trim takes over. Otherwise, it’s pretty much a 5 Series with its curved twin screens. Yes, they play AirConsole games if you somehow can’t entertain yourself enough in an M5.
The M5 sets a standard other sport sedans rarely match. The 2025 edition should manage that trick well despite the weight gain. And, if the rumble of a BMW V8 tempts you, you may need to act now.
BMW hints that this may be the last M5 to use gas. A note in the press release announcing the new car says plug-in power “sees BMW M taking another step in its evolution towards electrification.”
