BMW M5 Touring Review: The 717-HP Family Express

CARIARYCAR · DIARY · PERSPECTIVE

Cover: AI-generated Cariary editorial illustration, checked against the current G99 BMW M5 Touring. It is not road-test photography.

This BMW M5 Touring Review asks whether 717 horsepower, a plug-in-hybrid V8 and real wagon cargo space can still add up to one coherent family car. The answer depends on expectations. It is spectacularly fast and unusually useful, but also heavy, expensive and more electronically layered than the classic M5 formula.

Cariary has not road-tested this vehicle. This is a research-based buyer review of the current U.S. G99 M5 Touring using BMW technical material, current pricing and licensed photographs. Specifications were checked on September 7, 2026.

BMW M5 Touring Review: Quick Verdict

The strongest reason to choose this car is character supported by real engineering. It also demands an honest look at price, practicality and long-term cost. Cariary Point: ★★★★☆ (4/5).

Table of Contents

• Why an M5 Touring Matters in America
• 717 HP From V8 and Electric Motor
• The Plug-In Hybrid Trade
• The Number BMW Cannot Hide
• Real Cargo Space, Real Daily Value
• Price and Ownership
• Cariary Perspective: Four Stars
• FAQ

Why an M5 Touring Matters in America

The United States waited decades for an official M5 wagon. The G99 finally combines the fifth-generation M5 Touring idea with modern U.S. demand for one-car versatility. It has five seats, a large rear opening and up to 57.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity in BMW’s launch specification.

Its significance is not simply rarity. A wagon places mass lower than an SUV, preserves a sedan-like driving position and uses its roof length for useful cargo volume. The M5 Touring therefore offers a different answer to the high-performance family-car question than an X5 M.

717 HP From V8 and Electric Motor

The M Hybrid system combines a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission. The engine contributes 577 hp, the motor 194 hp, and system output reaches 717 hp and 738 lb-ft.

BMW estimates 0–60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, or 190 mph with the M Driver’s Package. The electric motor fills response while the V8 provides sustained power, but the hardware also changes the car’s mass and character.

The Plug-In Hybrid Trade

A 14.8-kWh usable battery supports electric operation and accepts up to 11 kW AC charging. BMW currently describes about 24 miles of electric driving for the Touring under ideal conditions. That is enough for some school runs or commutes, provided the owner charges regularly.

Without charging, the battery becomes mass carried for little benefit. The best ownership pattern is simple: charge at home, use electric mode for short urban trips and reserve the full hybrid system for long journeys and performance driving.

The Number BMW Cannot Hide

BMW’s launch specification listed a preliminary curb weight of 5,530 pounds. That is extraordinary for a performance wagon. Rear-wheel steering, adaptive dampers, active roll control, M xDrive and a controlled rear differential work together to manage it.

Technology can make a heavy car change direction convincingly, but it cannot erase tire load, braking energy or the physical scale felt on a narrow road. Buyers should test the car on imperfect pavement as well as a smooth highway and decide whether its stability feels reassuring or remote.

Real Cargo Space, Real Daily Value

The Touring body is the reason to accept the complexity. BMW lists 17.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57.6 with them folded in its U.S. launch material. The low cargo floor and square opening make bulky objects easier to load than in many coupe-shaped SUVs.

Five doors, all-wheel-drive traction and an available electric commute give the car credible daily range. It is still very wide, rides on staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels and does not offer the towing case of a large SUV.

Price and Ownership

BMW USA currently lists the 2027 M5 Touring from $125,300 before destination and options. Carbon-ceramic brakes, driver-assistance packages, special paint and trim can move the total substantially higher.

Consumables deserve attention. A 5,530-pound car with 717 hp can use tires and brakes quickly when driven hard. The hybrid battery and cooling system add diagnostic complexity, while the V8 still requires conventional high-performance maintenance. Warranty coverage and a disciplined charging routine are part of the purchase decision.

Cariary Perspective: Four Stars

The BMW M5 Touring earns four stars because it combines genuine cargo usefulness with acceleration once reserved for supercars. Its presence in the United States is worth celebrating, and its breadth is difficult to match.

The missing star reflects the central contradiction: the systems that give the wagon 717 hp and electric capability also make it exceptionally heavy and complex. It is the ultimate family express for buyers who want maximum range of ability. Drivers seeking the purest M5 experience may prefer something smaller and simpler.

Design Gallery

These licensed photographs show the same generation from additional angles. Model year, color and regional equipment may vary, so they illustrate design rather than a specific sale configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BMW M5 Touring a plug-in hybrid?

Yes. It combines a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, an electric motor and a 14.8-kWh usable battery.

How powerful is it?

BMW rates system output at 717 hp and 738 lb-ft.

How much cargo space does it have?

BMW’s U.S. launch specification lists 17.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 57.6 with them folded.

How much does it cost?

BMW USA currently lists the 2027 M5 Touring from $125,300 before destination and options.