The new BMW M5 Touring brings together the performance of an M car with the practicality of a large estate. With 727 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque, it can deliver supercar-rivalling acceleration while still offering enough space for everyday family life.
It also marks the return of BMW’s high-performance estate after previous generations became highly sought-after among enthusiasts. The latest model combines a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with an electric motor and BMW’s M xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
The BMW M5 Touring has a relatively rare history. BMW previously produced an M5 Touring based on the E34 in the early 1990s, followed by the V10-powered E61 M5 Touring in 2007.
The latest model is the third Touring variant in M5 history and is based on the G99-generation 5 Series Touring.
Rather than simply adding a more powerful engine to a standard estate, BMW has developed the car around its M HYBRID performance system, adaptive suspension and M xDrive all-wheel drive.
This gives the estate the ability to combine everyday usability with the performance expected from an M car.
The BMW M5 Touring uses a 4.4-litre M TwinPower Turbo V8 petrol engine alongside an electric motor. Together, the system produces 727 hp and up to 1,000 Nm of torque.
Power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels using BMW M xDrive.
The result is impressive performance for a car of this size. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds, while its top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
The electric motor produces 197 hp, working with the V8 to provide additional performance and instant torque.
Drivers can choose from several different drive modes, including ELECTRIC, HYBRID, DYNAMIC, DYNAMIC PLUS and eCONTROL. This allows the character of the car to be changed depending on how it is being driven.
For the full technical specification, BMW provides detailed information on the M5 Touring, including its powertrain, dimensions, charging and performance figures.
Despite its focus on performance, the BMW M5 Touring is a plug-in hybrid and can be driven using electric power alone.
Its 18.6kWh battery provides a WLTP electric range of around 37–41 miles, depending on specification.
That means shorter everyday journeys could potentially be completed using electric power, while the V8 engine provides the long-distance range and performance expected from a high-performance estate.
The combination is particularly interesting because it allows the car to offer strong performance without relying exclusively on its petrol engine.
If you’re considering how different powertrains compare, our guide to petrol, diesel or electric cars looks at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
The BMW M5 Touring has a considerably more aggressive appearance than the standard 5 Series Touring.
At the front is BMW’s large kidney grille, while the wider bodywork, muscular wheel arches and M-specific bumpers give the car a much more imposing stance.
It also features large alloy wheels, performance tyres and the familiar quad exhaust arrangement at the rear.
The long estate body gives it a distinctive profile, while the proportions remain recognisably connected to the M5 Saloon.
Inside, the BMW M5 Touring combines a high-tech cabin with the performance-focused features expected from an M car.
BMW’s curved display provides the main digital interface, while the head-up display can show M-specific information depending on the selected driving mode.
The cabin can also be specified with premium materials including leather, carbon-fibre trim and Alcantara, depending on specification.
The car is not just about outright performance, though. It retains the technology and driver assistance systems needed to make a vehicle of this size comfortable to use every day.
This is where the BMW M5 Touring has a major advantage over many high-performance cars.
The boot provides 500 litres of luggage space with the rear seats in place, increasing to an impressive 1,630 litres when they are folded down.
That gives the car enough room for luggage, shopping, sports equipment and family trips without sacrificing its performance credentials.
It can also tow up to 2,000kg when appropriately equipped, adding another useful capability for owners who need more than just a large boot.
At more than five metres long, it is certainly not a small car, but the combination of estate practicality and M performance makes it unusual in the current market.
For anyone considering a performance estate as an everyday vehicle, our guide on how to buy a used car safely is also worth reading.
The BMW M5 Touring enters a relatively small group of high-performance estate cars.
Its most obvious rivals include the Audi RS6 Avant and Mercedes-AMG performance estates. However, the BMW takes a different approach by combining a large twin-turbocharged V8 with plug-in hybrid technology.
That gives it the ability to use electric power for shorter journeys while retaining the performance and character of a high-performance petrol engine.
For buyers looking for an estate that can handle family duties during the week but still deliver serious performance at the weekend, it offers a particularly compelling combination.
Despite its enormous performance potential, the BMW M5 Touring is designed to be used as an everyday car.
The spacious cabin, large boot and five-door layout make it considerably more practical than a traditional sports car. The ability to drive on electric power for shorter journeys is another benefit for owners who can charge at home or at work.
At the same time, the car can deliver 0–62 mph in just 3.6 seconds when required.
That dual personality is arguably the biggest attraction. It can behave like a comfortable family estate when necessary and a serious performance car when the road opens up.
The new BMW M5 Touring proves that practicality and performance do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive.
With 727 hp, 1,000 Nm of torque, all-wheel drive and a 3.6-second 0–62 mph time, it has the performance to compete with some of the fastest cars on the road. Yet with up to 1,630 litres of luggage space and plug-in hybrid capability, it remains capable of handling everyday driving duties.
For enthusiasts who need the practicality of an estate but do not want to compromise on performance, the BMW M5 Touring is one of the most impressive combinations of both.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you can also browse used cars on MotorHype.
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