We Took the 2025 BMW M5 For a Spin. Here’s What You Need to Know Before Plunking Down $141K
It's sharp, confident and smart. And so is the drive experience in this hybrid twin turbo.
Here’s what I love most about BMW: the brand’s approach to luxury is very democratic. From its starter models to the top of the line, buyers can get all the goodies, from comfy leather seats to the faceted ambient light bar, the updated multimedia system and the command center that feels downright aeronautical.
What you have to decide on is budget for all that over-the-top luxury, because that is what dictates how much power you get. Pay a little, get a little. Pay a lot, get a lot.
That’s the story with the 2025 BMW M5, which starts at $120K and has a a plug-in electric hybrid engine that generates an incredible 717 HP. The twin turbo V8, even when assisted by an electric engine, roars with power underfoot. And it’s glorious.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Don’t Let the BMW M5’s Quiet Start Fool You
As a plug-in electric hybrid, the 2025 BMW M5 has an all electric driving range of 25 miles. And you might want to use it for that; it was nice to drive slowly through the neighborhood on my test drive and not have a loud, rumbly engine drawing attention to me.
But if you think you’d rather not use it for electric driving and rather, use the EV’s 194 HP to assist the twin turbo V8, don’t worry; the battery is designed to never run out of charge so it always has enough juice to boost the gas engine, which delivers 577 HP on its own.
Once out on the road, however, pop it into hybrid and it’ll use both the V8 and the electric motor, and the gas engine will roar to life. And it’s a blast — as long as the traffic allows you to the room to zoom.
Read: 2024 BMW 5 Series First Drive: All New, a Gleaming Princess Cut of a Luxury Car
These are Not Your Typical Drive Modes
The 2025 BMW M5 has a unique set of drive modes that are designed to maximize the car’s performance using the electric power system. The car starts off in electric, but to quickly add V8 power, tap the MHybrid button on the command center and you’ll feel the engine kick in. There’s also e-Control, which allows the system to optimize for performance, balancing electric and gas performance to get you up to speed as quickly as possible.
Then, there’s M Mode which allows you to choose between sport and road. Tap it for sport, and you’ll get the sporty, performance focused driver display and more power, or tap the road option for a still sporty look and drive.
Read: Mercedes-AMG C 63 SE Performance: What It’s Like to Drive this F1-Inflected Sedan
Layers of Luxury Define the BMW M5
Over the last couple of years BMW has updated all its models, from the starter-level BMW 1 Series to the ultra-luxe 7 Series. Each, as delightfully noted before, offers a lot of luxuries. And while that’s true in the BMW M5, it seems to deliver just a little bit more.
It starts with the orange leather; a bold choice and one I didn’t love at first but got used to once I picked my ambient color for the cabin: Pink. Together the look was yes, over the top, but also, delightful.
Then, there’s the acres and acres of carbon fiber. Or at least it seems like acres. It’s everywhere: on the dash, the doors, the lower center console, even the roof and rear spoiler are carbon— an option on our test model that reduces weight and adds a bit of poshness.
Read: Audi RS e-tron GT Performance: The Fastest Audi Ever Is Also The Most Beautiful
The Biggest Luxury: The New Multimedia System—And One Magical Detail
BMW redesigned the multimedia system, accessible via the center touch screen, an expansive pane of glass that also holds the driver’s display; or, you can turn and tap the crystal-capped iDrive dial, or you can do this: Say Hey BMW and the system is at your service.
But here’s the magic: if you access the system settings you can actually change the name of the multimedia system! “Hey Gracie,” or “Hey You,” or “Hello Gorgeous,” name it whatever you would like. And then, it’s there to set the cabin temperature, set your navigation or tune the radio station.
All the Goodies Are Really Great
BMW does all it does with great confidence: Not just all that power, but a way to customize the drive experience for Driver 1 and Driver 2. Leather seats that allow you to sink in and enjoy the drive. A wide, spacious rear seat with lots of legroom.
And a really great head up display that allows you to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road at all times. The head up display, though takes some getting used to; it’s detailed and elaborate with navigation and information so some may find it too distracting.
Rear Seat Passengers Will Be Completely Spoiled
Never mind the legroom. Or the comfortable bucketed leather seats. Or the M-design seatbelts that remind everyone that this is a sports car. Rear seat passengers have window shades all around, even smaller ones over the rear valance windows and a shade that rises to block sun from the rear window. There is a touch pad for rear climate control, and there are USB ports, a fold-down arm rest with cupholders and despite the sloped roof, a decent amount of head room. I especially loved all he window shades. That small detail made this rear seat feel really special.
The M5 Edition of the BMW 5 Series Is Defined By a Sharp New Look
It’s what you see instantly when you first look athlete M5: Angular kidney grilles set high into the hoodlike; angular lights that are inset across the outside corners; an effusive front diffuser and air intake, all together giving the front end of the BMW M5 a serious look that means business. You might even be surprised at the luxury inside, the exterior is such a statement on speed and performance.
Yet, it still carries the typical and traditional BMW 5 Series silhouette, a softly sloped roof, a diminutive rear spoiler, the effortless look of a luxury sedan. It might be the perfect blend of luxury and assertiveness.
The Big News May Be Muted By All the Little Things in the 2025 BMW M5
While I loved the power and the drive feel in the BMW M5, and I applaud the brilliance at using electric power to boost the twin turbo V8, I most loved that BMW didn’t stop there. The orange seats (I’d pick a different color, but they do stand out), the M-trim seat belts, the cockpit feel and the luxury details all add up to a confident feel on the road or just sitting in traffic.
All those little things come at a price; our test model, with a few additions including carbon fiber ($3,100), the Executive package with a glowing front grille and heated front and rear seats ($1,850) and the active driving assistance package ($1,750), came to $141,225 including destination ($1,175) and the very ironic gas guzzler charge of $2,600.
With or without all the extras, you’ll be happy. You’ll get to pop it into sport and let everyone take a look as you zip by, or drive under electric power and keep all that luxury from prying eyes.
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