After greater than 4,000 miles and three months of day by day commuting, errands, highway journeys, and a spirited drive by way of 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 lovers and newcomers alike, this plug-in hybrid M5 gives a contemporary perspective on what it means to be the last word day by day efficiency sedan. However it’s not with out its quirks. Listed here are the important thing classes realized from prolonged time behind the wheel.
1. Design Can Win You Over—Ultimately
First impressions could 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, 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 photographs. Within the steel, it has highway 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 Collection vibes, simply shrink-wrapped right into a extra aggressive silhouette. The seats are excellent, and there’s ample house, even with two youngster seats. It’s plush, luxurious, and outfitted for household life. Nonetheless, 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. Examine the choices record 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 below 40 mph.
Lesson: Every day tech is a energy, however BMW must make amends for autonomy choices—particularly at this worth level. Ultimately, that is extra of a day by day cruiser.
4. Three Personalities, One Automobile
The G90 M5 is actually 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 way of metropolis site visitors or carving up Alpine passes, the automobile adapts seamlessly. The transition from electrical to combustion energy isn’t all the time 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 energy. It may be a whisper or a struggle cry relying in your temper.
5. Trip High quality Nonetheless Wants Refinement
Chicago roads aren’t variety, and so they 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 supplied the most effective center floor. Consolation mode, paradoxically, felt too delicate 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 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 fuel 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 isn’t any joke. This M5 might not really feel as track-honed because the F90 M5 Competitors, however it’s higher suited to day by 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 monitor.
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 totally compensate for the mass.
Charging, in the meantime, is a missed alternative. The 7.4 kW onboard charger is simply too sluggish for a automobile of this caliber. The upcoming 11 kW unit for the 2026 mannequin 12 months is a step in the fitting route—however it ought to’ve launched with the automobile.
Lesson: The plug-in system is nice for day by day EV use—however the {hardware} lags behind the competitors in some methods.
Ultimate 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 making an attempt to be. As a substitute, 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 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 every part 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 all the time really feel “six-figure”
- Sluggish onboard charging
- No Freeway Assistant autonomy
- Lacks the pure driving fringe of previous M5s
