After greater than 4,000 miles and three months of each day commuting, errands, street journeys, and a spirited drive by the Alps, one factor is obvious: the 2025 BMW M5 G90 isn’t only a new chapter for BMW M—it’s a completely new e book. For longtime fanatics and newcomers alike, this plug-in hybrid M5 presents a recent perspective on what it means to be the last word each day efficiency sedan. Nevertheless it’s not with out its quirks. Listed below are the important thing classes discovered from prolonged time behind the wheel.
1. Design Can Win You Over—Finally
First impressions will be polarizing, particularly when a legendary nameplate takes on a bolder, bulkier design. The squared-off, muscular styling of the G90 M5 won’t have landed completely at first look, but it surely grows on you. It instructions consideration in visitors and earns unsolicited compliments—one thing not each trendy BMW can declare. Whereas the M5 Sedan definitely has presence, many nonetheless discover the upcoming M5 Touring the better-looking sibling.
Lesson: Don’t choose the M5 by its photographs. Within the metallic, it has street presence in spades.
2. It’s a Mini M7—For Higher and Worse
Inside, the G90 M5 feels much less like a track-focused monster and extra like a sporty government lounge. Assume 7 Sequence vibes, simply shrink-wrapped right into a extra aggressive silhouette. The seats are excellent, and there’s ample area, even with two youngster seats. It’s plush, luxurious, and outfitted for household life. Nevertheless, there are misses: Piano Black trim is a fingerprint magnet, and a few switchgear feels cost-cut.
Lesson: Consolation and tech are up; perceived inside high quality is a combined bag. Test the choices checklist rigorously.
3. The New iDrive 8.5 Is Lastly a Win
Tech has been a sore topic in current BMWs, however the newest model of iDrive hits a candy spot. It’s fast, responsive, and makes navigating its layered menus extra manageable. Add to that the improved Driving Help Skilled system, and you’ve got a correct luxurious cruiser. However there’s a catch: BMW’s full hands-free Freeway Assistant isn’t accessible on the M5 but, limiting its semi-autonomous capabilities to quick stints beneath 40 mph.
Lesson: Day by day tech is a energy, however BMW must make amends for autonomy choices—particularly at this value level. Ultimately, that is extra of a each day cruiser.
4. Three Personalities, One Automobile
The G90 M5 is really a automotive of many moods. In EV mode, it glides silently like a premium electrical sedan. In Hybrid mode, it blends V8 energy and electrical torque with spectacular smoothness. Flip into Sport Plus, and it turns into a snarling, road-hugging beast.
That flexibility is the M5’s new superpower. Whether or not you’re creeping by metropolis visitors or carving up Alpine passes, the automotive adapts seamlessly. The transition from electrical to combustion energy isn’t at all times flawless—particularly in chilly climate—but it surely’s leagues forward of the clunky system within the XM.
Lesson: Versatility is that this M5’s greatest energy. It may be a whisper or a warfare cry relying in your temper.
5. Trip High quality Nonetheless Wants Refinement
Chicago roads aren’t variety, they usually uncovered a weak point: low-speed trip high quality. On clean roads, the M5 consists and confidence-inspiring. However sharp bumps, potholes, and mid-corner imperfections reveal a stiffness that undermines consolation. Sport mode provided the perfect center floor. Consolation mode, paradoxically, felt too smooth and floaty. It’s a matter of style—your passengers might disagree.
Lesson: Adaptive suspension is nice, however not excellent. BMW must fine-tune low-speed damping for real-world situations.
6. Regardless of the Weight, It Nonetheless Drives Like an M Automobile
At practically 5,400 kilos, the G90 M5 might’ve been a dealing with catastrophe. However BMW’s engineers labored their magic. On mountain roads, the automotive defies its mass with balanced dealing with, huge grip, and glorious torque distribution. It’s no featherweight M2, but it surely’s way more succesful than the specs recommend. Even higher? Spirited mountain driving returned over 40 mpg in hybrid mode—astounding for a V8-powered sports activities sedan.
Lesson: The legal guidelines of physics nonetheless apply, however the G90 M5 bends them impressively.
7. The New Drivetrain Is a Triumph
BMW nailed the plug-in hybrid setup this time. Transitions between electrical and gasoline energy are smoother, shifts are punchy however refined, and the electrical torque fill eliminates lag. Launches are brutal in one of the simplest ways—3.2 seconds to 60 mph is not any joke. This M5 might not really feel as track-honed because the F90 M5 Competitors, but it surely’s higher suited to each day life. That’s the tradeoff: extra usability, barely much less edge.
Lesson: That is probably the most refined M5 drivetrain but—simply don’t anticipate it to beat the F90 on the observe.
8. Braking and Charging Want Extra Work
The brakes work effectively, however require psychological recalibration. The added weight means extra nostril dive and earlier braking factors than earlier than. Regenerative braking helps, however doesn’t totally compensate for the mass.
Charging, in the meantime, is a missed alternative. The 7.4 kW onboard charger is just too sluggish for a automotive of this caliber. The upcoming 11 kW unit for the 2026 mannequin 12 months is a step in the suitable route—but it surely ought to’ve launched with the automotive.
Lesson: The plug-in system is nice for each day EV use—however the {hardware} lags behind the competitors in some methods.
Remaining Verdict: A New Sort of M5
The G90 BMW M5 isn’t a uncooked, track-focused beast just like the E39 or F90. It’s not making an attempt to be. As an alternative, it’s a deeply succesful, luxurious, and surprisingly environment friendly efficiency sedan for the trendy period.
Sure, it’s heavy. Sure, it has quirks. However this M5 can drive your youngsters to highschool in EV silence, then howl down a mountain go later that afternoon. It’s not the last word driving machine within the outdated sense—it’s the last word every thing machine.
Execs:
- Exceptionally versatile hybrid powertrain
- Clean, highly effective, and responsive in all driving modes
- Excellent real-world effectivity
- A tech-forward cabin
- Retains M DNA regardless of the load
Cons:
- Suspension nonetheless too harsh at low speeds
- Inside supplies don’t at all times really feel “six-figure”
- Gradual onboard charging
- No Freeway Assistant autonomy
- Lacks the pure driving fringe of previous M5s
