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 evident: 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 gives 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 realized from prolonged time behind the wheel.
1. Design Can Win You Over—Finally
First impressions might be polarizing, particularly when a legendary nameplate takes on a bolder, bulkier design. The squared-off, muscular styling of the G90 M5 may not have landed completely at first look, however it grows on you. It instructions consideration in site visitors and earns unsolicited compliments—one thing not each fashionable BMW can declare. Whereas the M5 Sedan actually has presence, many nonetheless discover the upcoming M5 Touring the better-looking sibling.
Lesson: Don’t decide the M5 by its images. Within the steel, 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 govt lounge. Suppose 7 Collection vibes, simply shrink-wrapped right into a extra aggressive silhouette. The seats are excellent, and there’s ample area, even with two baby seats. It’s plush, luxurious, and geared up 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 blended bag. Test the choices checklist fastidiously.
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 brief stints underneath 40 mph.
Lesson: Day by day tech is a power, 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 automobile 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 site visitors or carving up Alpine passes, the automobile adapts seamlessly. The transition from electrical to combustion energy isn’t at all times flawless—particularly in chilly climate—however it’s leagues forward of the clunky system within the XM.
Lesson: Versatility is that this M5’s largest power. It may be a whisper or a battle cry relying in your temper.
5. Journey High quality Nonetheless Wants Refinement
Chicago roads aren’t form, and so they uncovered a weak spot: low-speed experience 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 one of the best center floor. Consolation mode, sarcastically, felt too gentle and floaty. It’s a matter of style—your passengers could disagree.
Lesson: Adaptive suspension is nice, however not good. 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 may’ve been a dealing with catastrophe. However BMW’s engineers labored their magic. On mountain roads, the automobile defies its mass with balanced dealing with, large grip, and wonderful torque distribution. It’s no featherweight M2, however it’s much 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 the easiest way—3.2 seconds to 60 mph isn’t any joke. This M5 could not really feel as track-honed because the F90 M5 Competitors, however it’s higher suited to each day life. That’s the tradeoff: extra usability, barely much less edge.
Lesson: That is essentially the most refined M5 drivetrain but—simply don’t count on it to beat the F90 on the observe.
8. Braking and Charging Want Extra Work
The brakes work nicely, however require psychological recalibration. The added weight means extra nostril dive and earlier braking factors than earlier than. Regenerative braking helps, however doesn’t absolutely compensate for the mass.
Charging, in the meantime, is a missed alternative. The 7.4 kW onboard charger is just too gradual for a automobile of this caliber. The upcoming 11 kW unit for the 2026 mannequin 12 months is a step in the best route—however it ought to’ve launched with the automobile.
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 Type of M5
The G90 BMW M5 isn’t a uncooked, track-focused beast just like the E39 or F90. It’s not attempting to be. As a substitute, it’s a deeply succesful, luxurious, and surprisingly environment friendly efficiency sedan for the fashionable period.
Sure, it’s heavy. Sure, it has quirks. However this M5 can drive your children to highschool in EV silence, then howl down a mountain move later that afternoon. It’s not the last word driving machine within the outdated sense—it’s the last word the whole lot machine.
Execs:
- Exceptionally versatile hybrid powertrain
- Easy, highly effective, and responsive in all driving modes
- Excellent real-world effectivity
- A tech-forward cabin
- Retains M DNA regardless of the burden
Cons:
- Suspension nonetheless too harsh at low speeds
- Inside supplies don’t at all times really feel “six-figure”
- Sluggish onboard charging
- No Freeway Assistant autonomy
- Lacks the pure driving fringe of previous M5s
