Let’s put an end to this. The weight of the 2025 BMW M5 is 5,390 pounds. Almost two Toyota GR86s, that is. More than two Mazda Miatas are involved. It is identical to a mature white rhinoceros. This vehicle weighs a lot. Since the M5’s launch, it has been the primary topic of conversation. BMW has been quite vocal about how the car doesn’t feel particularly heavy and conceals its weight.
Quick Specs: 2025 BMW M5
- Engine: Twin-Turbo 4.4-Liter V-8 Hybrid
- Output: 717 Horsepower / 738 Pound-Feet
- 0-60 MPH: 3.4 Seconds (est.)
- Weight: 5,390 Pounds
- Base Price / As Tested: $120,675 / $150,000 (est.)
A Shift in Philosophy
BMW didn’t care about becoming the most powerful vehicle in any class for a very long time. It didn’t have to have a bold design or figures that stood out. Creating a car that was fundamentally enjoyable to drive required careful consideration of balance. The M5 inspired a whole market sector because it was more than simply a sports sedan; it was the sports sedan. These vehicles could be enjoyable on a back road in the evening after spending the entire morning on the highway and the afternoon at the racetrack. It served a particular set of enthusiasts as a true all-purpose car.
However, M5’s priorities have changed in the previous few generations. They now want to produce massive horsepower and insane acceleration figures, gaining weight in the process and altering the M5’s philosophy. The vehicle is now a grand tourer instead of a multipurpose sports sedan. That voyage is completed by this most recent M5, the G90.
Handling Heft with a Twist
This 2025 BMW M5 is not very heavy in some respects. Because this is a plug-in hybrid, the batteries are on the floor, which keeps the M5’s mass down and lessens uncomfortable weight transfer moments. The M5 doesn’t roll in corners or judder over bumps. You are still aware of its bulk even if it doesn’t feel heavy all the time. You can feel the body’s fore/aft heave as you increase or decrease speed in transitional throttle applications, which is where the M5 really shines.
Power and Performance
With the help of batteries and an electric motor in the gearbox, the well-known S68 twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine generates 717 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. A combustion car that accelerates like an EV is produced by combining the V-8 with instantaneous electric torque. Just linear power from a stop till you depress the accelerator—neither lag nor delay. This vehicle is incredibly fast.
The M5’s acceleration appeared limitless on the unrestricted Autobahn outside BMW’s Munich headquarters. It was nearly effortless to reach 170 mph before traffic slowed us down. The M Drivers Pack has a top speed of 190 mph, but it felt like it would never stop accelerating because of how hard it pulled to 170. As the motors recharged the batteries while braking, the brakes felt firm and steady as traffic came on.
Range and Battery
Although the M5’s batteries never completely deplete, they can also go roughly 25 miles on a single charge. The M5 saves a mile or two for performance requirements because peak performance depends on the battery. The M5 uses the engine and braking to keep the 22.1-kWh (14.1-kWh useable) battery charged when EV mode is depleted.
Customization Options
The new 2025 BMW M5 has an amazing array of iDrive modes and settings, just like past M vehicles. The gearbox shift speed, throttle mapping, engine sound, steering feel, brake feel, traction control, and even the ability to turn off power to the front axle can all be changed. In addition, there are track presets, electric modes, and hybrid modes—a bewildering number of choices.
The G90 generation would be entirely digital if the original M5s, such as the E28, E34, and E39, were analogue. The G90 puts the driver in charge of making adjustments all the time, unlike other enthusiasts who like engineers to lock in the best settings for the greatest range of conditions.
Autobahn Champion
Like vintage M5s, We anticipated that this G90 would be a star on German B-roads and shine on the Autobahn. However, the highway suffers as a result of the G90’s size and speed. First of all, this automobile is long and wide, and because of its poor visibility, it feels big on small rural roads. German backroads had a 60 mph top speed limit, unlike the Autobahn, and the M5 became boring at a fast rate above that limit. Since ordinary roads are where most M5s will spend most of their time, its restrictions are so high that they are inaccessible.
On the track, we approached those limits, but BMW admits that most M5 owners won’t drive in that setting. When asked why they didn’t reduce limits if they were too high for the road, BMW’s answer was simple: they cannot go backwards; people want more. This seems to reflect the current state of the car market.
M5 Legacy
We took a handful of BMW’s previous M5s for short rides, including the E39 and E60. Although it lacked a single-clutch automatic transmission, the E60, with its 507-hp V-10, was the first M5 to incorporate additional technology, including as iDrive and several drive modes. Nevertheless, its performance limits were reachable, and it felt more intimate and alive. With its 394-hp V-8, six-speed manual, understated styling, and enjoyable driving at any speed, the E39 is still a classic sports sedan.
Comfort
The new M5 is comfortable with a stunning interior, good fuel efficiency, and tech features like augmented reality navigation. But it’s no longer ideal for a backroad romp at legal speeds. Instead, this M5 is designed to take the family from Munich to Como, cruising at 170 mph much of the way.
Price
Priced from $120,675, it’s now a grown-up grand tourer. The M3 has become the versatile family sedan, leaving the M2 as the rowdy track car.
