2026 BMW M5 Touring Assessment & Take a look at Drive : Automotive Addicts

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The love for wagons runs deep in American tradition, however gross sales figures simply don’t assist the love affair sufficient for a lot of producers to take a danger in providing a wagon. Nonetheless, within the scheme of what automakers like BMW are as much as nowadays, they’ve taken a chance that has up to now paid off nicely in providing a wagon, primarily the BMW M5 Touring wagon.

This week, I get to expertise the BMW M5 Touring, the wagon model of the sedan that I performed with final yr and walked away quite impressed with all that it has to supply, regardless of the discuss its hefty curb weight. Because it seems, that weight downside doesn’t essentially need to be a deal breaker. What I discover within the M5 Touring is essentially the entire good issues I discovered within the M5 sedan final yr, however with the added bonus of getting further rear-end storage by the use of the wagon proportions. Nonetheless, that bonus of the wagon elements provides much more weight, to the tune of 133 further kilos (5,523 kilos whole), however you hardly discover any distinction right here, and that’s an excellent factor.

See Additionally: 2025 BMW M5 Assessment & Take a look at Drive

Many of the full-on BMW M5 expertise is in its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain setup, the place the hybrid bits are extra efficiency adders than efficiency-seeking elements. Don’t count on to go far outdoors of the 13 mpg mixed EPA estimate right here when you’re having slightly enjoyable within the many Dynamic and Sport-like drive modes. With that in thoughts, the BMW M5 and M5 Touring are going to have you ever go to the gasoline station usually to fill the considerably smallish 15.9-gallon tank filled with premium unleaded. Nonetheless, between these fills, you have got the added benefit of charging up the M5 Touring to serve up 27 miles (I used to be in a position to get 30 miles of all-electric vary) of electric-only vary using the electrical motor’s output of 194 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Oddly sufficient, that electrical motor energy is simply sufficient to maneuver the M5 Touring alongside with out fear of your security because it cleverly shifts by way of the gears of the 8-speed automated transmission to maximise the output of the electrical motor.

Take away the concept of driving within the electrical mode, and also you’ll unleash the beast that the M5 Touring is supposed to be, one which effortlessly pumps out 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque because it meshes the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with the hybrid motor PHEV setup. Energy despatched by way of all 4 wheels is an expertise, one which feels principally like a fully-electric automobile that’s north of 800 horsepower with an on the spot hit of torque that additionally feels north of 800 lb-ft. Actually, the M5 Touring, similar to my expertise with the M5 sedan final yr, will spin the entrance wheels upon utilizing the launch management or just planting your foot into the throttle and get the large Bavarian ass-hauler up to the mark in a rush, taking about 3 seconds to hit 60 mph.

The 20-inch wheels and tires up entrance and 21-inchers out again with a large 295 part do the job to grapple the pavement in a approach that the M5 Touring feels considerably gentle on its ft till you truly decide to a pointy nook. Sure, the hefty weight is usually hidden, however it will probably shortly be discovered while you push the M5 into lengthy corners and bends. The suspension with its adaptive dampers makes an attempt to tug off a magical act and does so for these fast steering inputs, however tends to really feel lumpy and busy while you’re attempting to drive civilly. Right here, I quite hate how the M5 Touring (and M5 Sedan) has an excessively busy experience high quality that’s principally lofty within the rear when going over highway undulations and rises. There’s even a lot suspension journey out again that rear passengers really feel they’re practically ejected from their seats when going over a reasonable highway rise or dip. Not cool, BMW!

What I discovered delight within the BMW M5 Touring is that it’s a freakin WAGON! Sure, that uncommon phase that in America everybody says they prefer it, however in terms of spending your hard-earned cash, they appear to balk on the concept. Nonetheless, BMW has confirmed that there’s nonetheless a marketplace for wagons as the BMW M5 Touring has a quite robust take charge to date, however in all that doesn’t truly say a lot because the M5 continues to have modest gross sales figures general. Certain, you get the entire pleasant know-how bits that I mentioned intimately in my BMW M5 evaluation from final yr, together with practically infinite configuration choices for organising your M5 by way of the redundantly managed infotainment system. Certain, it’s enjoyable, and having the devoted programmable M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel makes issues simple to stay with the M5 – there’s nonetheless plenty of confusion for many initially throughout the first month or so of possession of such a automobile.

Talking of possession, many individuals who observed the M5 Touring and gave me a thumbs up have been quite stunned, as I misplaced depend, however felt like there have been many extra who needed to purchase a wagon than most assume. I imagine the unlucky half right here is that not solely do plenty of Individuals have a secret love for wagons, they only don’t see themselves paying simply over $140,000 for one ($146,225 as-tested). That, in itself, I imagine, is far of the difficulty right here. You’ve gotten autos like this awesome-looking M5 Touring, Audi RS6 Avant, and even the Mercedes-AMG E53 Wagon, all efficiency wagons, that are autos that may demand a worth north of $100k. Exterior of such, you’ll compromise in efficiency and make do with the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain, Audi A6 Allroad, or what Volvo has to supply within the V60 Cross Nation and V90 Cross Nation. Wagons simply aren’t plentiful, and that’s a disgrace as a result of if cash have been no object for extra folks, we’d see extra than simply my M5 Touring out on the roads, attracting a stunning quantity of consideration in additional methods than one.

Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice within the automotive media world for over 20 years. With 20+ years of hands-on expertise overlaying the trade, Malcolm has constructed a fame for delivering sincere critiques, sharp insights, and in-depth protection of all the pieces from new automotive debuts to high-performance take a look at drives. Passionate concerning the evolving automotive tradition and staying forward of the curve, Malcolm continues to steer Automotive Addicts as a go-to vacation spot for fans and trade insiders alike.