By Marc Bouchard
The 2020 BMW M5 is a bit like the wolf in the sheepfold. Beneath its family sedan appearance, it hides a racing beast ready to pounce at the slightest signal. For 2025, BMW’s M division has pushed the limits even further, offering a driving experience that borders on perfection?
From the first glance, the M5 2025 commands respect. The lines are taut, the fenders widened and the grille, as imposing as ever, proudly displays the M emblems. The interior, for its part, is a perfect blend of sportiness and luxury. The seats offer impeccable support, the steering wheel is thick and fits impeccably in the hand and the materials are of impeccable quality.
But it’s under the hood where the magic happens. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 has been revised and corrected to develop astonishing power. Accelerating on the M5 is an experience that surprises you every time. The growl of the V8, amplified by the sports exhaust system, is a symphony for the ears. The sound varies depending on the driving mode, going from a discreet whisper to the roar of a wild beast. You can even manually select the sound power via the central screen. Thank you M!
On winding roads, the M5 proves to be a real go-kart. The steering is precise, the chassis is rigid and the suspensions offer a perfect compromise between comfort and sportiness. The xDrive all-wheel drive system, combined with an active differential, ensures foolproof traction and allows you to exit corners with surprising agility. The rear-wheel steering, meanwhile, significantly improves low-speed agility and high-speed stability thanks to 1.5 degrees of travel. This may not seem like much, but it makes a big difference.
The active chassis, by adapting the stiffness of the suspensions in real time, offers a tailor-made driving experience. Obviously, the heaviness of the whole thing – it still weighs more than 2,400 kilos – does not do justice to the power of the engine. We did lighten a few elements, notably using carbon fiber for the roof in order to remove a little weight, but it doesn’t seem like much. On the road, the difference isn’t huge and I haven’t had the opportunity to test it on the track, but you can bet that some corner entries are more difficult.
However, let’s be honest, I don’t have the driving skills to realize that!
But the M5 isn’t just a track beast. It also knows how to be comfortable on long journeys. The front seats provide excellent lumbar support and the adaptive damping system helps absorb road imperfections. The infotainment system is complete and complex, and requires a lot of exploration of menus before getting used to it, but it’s easy to get used to.
We also cannot ignore one of the hidden qualities of this vehicle: it is now a plug-in hybrid. Purists will grimace, we suspect, but the immediate torque of the engine combined with the power of the gasoline engine allows to unleash a furious cavalry as soon as you step on the accelerator. We can also be satisfied with the 45 kilometers of electric autonomy, the 3.5 seconds necessary to reach 100 kilometers or the reduced consumption. But in any case, the 717 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque beast is exceptional.
The 2025 BMW M5 is an exceptional car that leaves no one indifferent. A short trip to the Quebec region allowed me to see that it attracts attention. It combines the performance of a racing beast with the comfort of a grand touring sedan. Certainly, its price is high, but for those looking for the pinnacle of performance and technology, it cannot be forgotten.
In the podcast
This week’s episode takes up the test of the M5, but also that of the electric Fiat 500, a totally opposite vehicle. We also talk about the Hyundai Santa Fe, the uncertain future of Nissan and several other news. Happy listening!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HEqIZmCpRy5pXNitdoqVY
