Test Drive Review: 2025 BMW M5 Touring – America’s First M5 Wagon is a Practical Powerhouse

American BMW fans, rejoice – the wait is finally over! For the first time ever, BMW is bringing the M5 Touring (or “wagon,” as it’s called stateside) to the U.S., while also marking a return of the M5 Touring lineup after decades. The last M5 Touring was the E61 M5 Wagon, a rarity that never made it to North America.

And yet, in the BMW community, we had our hearts set on something else: the nimble M3 Touring, that compact, corner-carving wagon. Instead, BMW decided to upsize with the bigger, beefier, and yes, pricier M5 Touring. Is it what we wanted? No. But with a staggering amount of power and real-world practicality, no one should be too quick to dismiss this beastly wagon. In fact, after spending time with it, I can confidently say that this is a car that delivers far more than it initially promised.

Specs That Pack a Punch

Under the hood, the M5 Touring mirrors its sedan sibling (the G90 M5) with an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain. The S68 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 is paired with an electric motor integrated into BMW’s smooth ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. Together, they deliver an astonishing 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, propelling this wagon from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. And thanks to its hybrid setup, the M5 Touring offers up to 25 miles of pure electric range – perfect for those quick, emissions-free city errands.

The M5 Touring matches the sedan in length and width but is slightly taller, thanks to its roof rails, so really the the main distinction between the M5 and the M5 Touring lies in the Touring’s larger rear cargo space. With the rear seats in the normal position, it offers a 17.7-cubic-foot luggage area, but it can expanded to 57.6 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded flat. Beyond this, the M5 Touring shares the same blend of luxury and technology found in the sedan version.

The M5 Touring adds an extra 140 pounds, bringing its curb weight to 5,530 pounds, according to BMW’s specifications. Okay, there is a bit more weight, but in the grand scheme of things, it won’t make much of a difference, if any. The weight distribution is also a bit different, in fact, the M5 Touring gets closer to the 50:50 figure, compared to the M5 Sedan which starts with 54% on the front-axle and goes may be down to 52%, depending on the equipment.

A Driving Experience Tailored to Every Mood

BMW has designed the M5 Touring, just like the M5 sedan, with multiple driving personalities. The default Hybrid mode automatically balances the gasoline engine and electric motor for efficient yet powerful driving. The electric-only mode enables emissions-free trips, ideal for urban commutes, while the Dynamic and Dynamic Plus modes will crank up the settings further, optimizing the touring for track use.

There is also another cool mode, standard this time, called eControl. Essentially, if you’re ready for more spirited driving, this mode preps the battery and engine for optimal performance, ensuring you’re ready for high-speed bursts. This versatility allows the M5 Touring to switch from comfortable family cruiser to roaring beast with a tap on the screen.

In Electric Mode, the M5 runs solely on battery power, offering up to 25 miles (EPA-rated) or 64 km (WLTP) of range, with a top speed of 87 mph (140 kph). I didn’t exactly focus on efficiency during my test drive; despite pushing the M5 hard and making several high-speed Autobahn runs, I returned to base with almost the same electric range as when I started. For those curious about extreme use cases, you could fully deplete the battery on the Autobahn by staying in EV mode. Naturally, when the battery runs out, you lose access to the additional 194 horsepower from the electric motor.

With less review time than I had for the M5 Sedan, I didn’t manage a 0-60 mph test, but I expect comparable results—around 3.2 to 3.4 seconds, depending on surface conditions and tire temperature.

Steering & Suspension: Comfort Meets Precision

Much like the sedan, the new BMW M5 Touring features coil springs, fixed anti-roll bars, and adaptive dampers on all four corners. But it’s bringing in some tricks from the M3 Touring: an extra under-body bracing. The springs are the same as in the M5 sedan, but its tuning is different with revised bump stops and dampers rebound. The suspension is certainly a highlight, fine-tuned to manage both comfort and performance. In Comfort mode, the Touring offers a smooth, cushioned ride, ideal for long trips or daily commutes. Switch to Sport mode, and the suspension stiffens up, delivering a more connected and agile feel. Despite its size and weight, the M5 Touring proves itself adaptable to a wide range of surfaces and driving styles.

In the steering department, the M5 Touring lacks some of the feedback you’d expect from an M car. The inputs are precise, but there is just a general feel of a dead zone while the steering wheel is at 12 o’clock marker. Though the steering is somewhat muted, subtle road feedback trickles through, hinting at the M5 Touring’s underlying precision and agility.

To summarize it, this what I said in the M5 sedan review and it applies to the touring as well: “The steering feels light in the Comfort mode, and again, that’s by design. As with most modern BMWs, it only comes to life in its highest settings. The Sport steering adds heft and a bit more precision, yet not much feedback is coming through from the front wheels. Overall, I like it.”

There’s minimal body roll, which is crucial in a touring with this much weight, thanks to BMW’s use of reinforced braces and suspension tuning. Integral Active Steering, standard on the Touring, provides extra maneuverability, turning the rear wheels slightly to help navigate tight spaces and provide stability at high speeds. The rear-wheel steering allows the rear wheels to turn up to 1.5 degrees.

Brakes That Get the Job Done – and Then Some

Given its heft, the M5 Touring needs serious stopping power, and BMW’s optional 420 mm carbon-ceramic brakes are up to the task. These massive brakes provide ample stopping power, bringing the car to a halt smoothly and without fade, even under repeated hard braking. If you’re planning on pushing this wagon’s limits, particularly on winding roads, these carbon ceramics are a worthwhile upgrade.

Hard braking does cause a bit of nose-dive, a natural result of the car’s weight, but the system is otherwise flawless. I haven’t tested the standard brakes, but for serious driving enthusiasts, the expensive carbon ceramics might be the way to go.

A Note on Exhaust Sound and OPF

The European M5 Touring includes an Otto Particulate Filter (OPF) to meet emissions standards, which slightly mutes the exhaust sound. In the U.S., where OPF isn’t required, the Touring comes with a louder and more engaging sound. On the Autobahn, the car felt satisfying even with the OPF (and with the fake sound turned on), but American buyers will appreciate the extra auditory punch.

Inside, switching to electric mode offers near silence, reinforcing the dual-nature experience BMW has crafted. Going from near-silent cruising to V8-fueled roars at the push of a button? That’s the kind of versatility some enthusiasts will appreciate. I made a point to measure the cabin noise using the NIOSH app on my iPhone, which provides fairly reliable readings. While it may not be a perfectly accurate test, I recorded an LAeq of 64.9 dB in Electric Mode and 71.2 dB in Hybrid Mode, both taken while driving on the Autobahn at around 80 mph.

A Few Cons

There are a few features missing from the M5 Touring that leave me wanting more. First, the lack of a split tailgate. Although it wasn’t expected, since the 5 Series Touring doesn’t have it either, it’s such an iconic BMW wagon feature that the product team could’ve pushed to retain it. Or at least included in the base price. Then there’s the absence of a carbon fiber roof—just like with the M3 Touring. It’s always a bit odd to see an M car without a standard or optional carbon roof, given what the brand represents. Would it have made a difference for weight or driving dynamics? Probably not, but it would’ve been great to have that sporty look.

Inside, I also miss the gear shifter. Simplifying the center console makes sense, but there’s something satisfying about gripping that M shifter and even “rowing” through gears yourself. Lastly, while iDrive 8.5 is faster and refined—especially with the M-specific graphics—the trade-off for those large screens is fewer physical buttons. I’m adjusting to the touch controls and voice commands, but I’m not exactly thrilled with the shift in user experience.

The M5 Touring: A Family Wagon with an M Badge

In a world dominated by SUVs, the BMW M5 Touring stands out as a family-friendly alternative with serious driving credentials. While the M3 Touring might be the enthusiast’s first choice, and ours as well, the new BMW M5 Touring adds practicality and extra space, making it viable as a family car that doesn’t sacrifice on performance. With nearly 15 cubic feet more cargo space than the sedan, it’s a fantastic choice for those who want an M car without giving up utility. Of course, a plug-in hybrid SUV like the X5 50e might offer more cargo space – 71.2 cubic-feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded – but the driving experience will also be completely different.

Verdict: Practical Powerhouse or Beastly Grocery-Getter?

For American BMW fans, this Touring model marks a historic moment, as the first M5 wagon to hit U.S. roads. It could also be the last, as the future of M models with internal combustion engines remains uncertain. For now, though, the M5 Touring claims a unique spot in the market as a performance hybrid business wagon that can tackle both the fast lane and family life.

Sure, it’s not the M3 Touring many hoped for in North America, but it’s a worthy contender with more than enough power, utility, and style to earn its place in BMW’s lineup. This car may be heavy, but it proves that, for daily driving, weight isn’t everything – especially when it’s paired with this much power.

The 2025 BMW M5 Touring starts at $121,500. While that six-figure price tag may seem steep initially, it’s only $2,000 more than the sedan and about the same as the Audi RS6 Avant. Given the choice tomorrow between the sedan and the M5 Touring, the Touring would be the obvious pick for me.