BMW M5 Touring Review: Performance Wagon Compromise?
Is the BMW M5 Touring the Ultimate Performance Wagon?
Searching for a practical supercar? The BMW M5 Touring promises to be the do-it-all performance wagon – a family hauler that outruns sports cars. After living with it for a week and pushing it on challenging roads, we uncovered critical insights about its real-world strengths and compromises. Unlike fleeting first drives, this deep dive examines whether the extra cargo space solves the sedan’s flaws or highlights them further, especially against the benchmark Audi RS6 Avant. Get the unfiltered truth from extended testing.
Hybrid Power, Real-World Performance
The M5 Touring’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is its defining feature. Combining a twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor delivers staggering acceleration—BMW claims 0-60 mph in under 3.5 seconds. Practically, this translates to effortless highway overtakes and silent EV-only operation for neighborhood trips, reducing noise complaints. During our testing, the transition between electric and combustion power felt seamless, a noticeable improvement over BMW’s earlier XM SUV implementation.
However, this tech comes at a cost: a curb weight nearing 5,500 lbs. While the straight-line speed is undeniably thrilling ("blisteringly fast," as noted in our drive), physics can't be cheated. The added mass fundamentally alters how this M car behaves compared to predecessors like the revered M5 CS. Even BMW’s engineers restrict track use in certain modes, a tacit admission of thermal limitations under extreme duress.
Daily Driving Dynamics vs. Handling Limits
As a daily driver, the Touring excels in comfort mode. The air suspension absorbs minor road imperfections reasonably well, and the cabin remains quiet during commutes. The massive cargo area (significantly larger than the sedan’s) adds genuine practicality, making it a compelling alternative to SUVs for those needing space.
Push towards its performance potential, and the weight becomes inescapable. The suspension struggles to manage the mass over mid-corner bumps, leading to a noticeable "heave" and extra body movement. This contrasts sharply with lighter performance wagons or low-slung EVs that mask their weight better. Steering feel retains classic BMW M precision, but the chassis constantly reminds you of its heft, reducing driver confidence when exploring limits. Settings like "Steering Sport" help, but the underlying compromise remains.
| Aspect | M5 Touring Strength | M5 Touring Compromise |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Seamless hybrid power, brutal acceleration, quiet EV mode | Extreme weight penalty (≈5,500 lbs) |
| Comfort/Ride | Decent bump absorption in Comfort mode, spacious cabin | "Heaving" sensation over bumps, extra suspension movement |
| Handling | Precise steering, stable under power | Weight overwhelms suspension in corners, lacks composure over bumps |
| Practicality | Huge wagon cargo space, spacious rear seats | Cheap interior plastics, complex climate controls |
Interior Practicality & Tech: A Mixed Bag
The M5 Touring’s cabin prioritizes aesthetics over user-friendliness. The minimalist dashboard design looks modern, and the large curved display offers excellent Apple CarPlay integration. The steering wheel is a particular highlight, offering great grip and tactile feedback.
Practical frustrations undermine the experience. The haptic-feedback climate controls are cumbersome to use while driving ("Why is it like that?"). Fingerprint-prone surfaces and questionable material choices—like a surprisingly cheap plastic trim piece—detract from the premium feel expected in this price bracket. After a week of use, the complex iDrive menu for basic functions like vent direction remained frustrating, a clear ergonomic misstep compared to rivals. The tech is powerful but not always intuitive.
The RS6 Avant Comparison: Where the M5 Falls Short
The Audi RS6 Avant is the M5 Touring’s natural rival, and it highlights key weaknesses. While the BMW’s powertrain feels more explosive and the steering is sharper, the Audi delivers a more cohesive and confidence-inspiring drive. The RS6 manages its weight more adeptly, offering superior bump compliance and body control during spirited driving, making it the more relaxing yet capable companion on real-world roads.
Interior ergonomics also favor the Audi. Its physical buttons and knobs provide quicker, more intuitive access to critical functions than the M5’s touch-heavy interface. If outright track capability isn't your priority, the RS6 presents a more polished and usable performance wagon package for daily life. The previous Mercedes-AMG E63 wagon (now discontinued) also set a high bar for driver engagement that this M5 doesn't quite meet.
The Verdict: Compromise in a Niche
The M5 Touring isn’t a bad car; it’s a conflicted one. It offers unmatched straight-line speed in a wagon body and undeniable long-distance cruising ability. However, its defining feature—the heavy hybrid powertrain—is also its Achilles' heel, compromising the dynamic agility expected from M Division. For those prioritizing cargo space paired with brutal acceleration, it’s compelling. But driving enthusiasts seeking the sharp handling of past M cars or the balanced capability of the RS6 will feel its limitations.
Key considerations before choosing:
- Prioritize Acceleration? The M5 Touring is faster point-to-point than the RS6.
- Value Handling Finesse? The RS6 manages bumps and weight more effectively.
- Need Ultimate Space? The wagon body is vastly more practical than the M5 sedan.
- Care About Interior Usability? Audi’s physical controls offer a significant daily advantage.
Which performance wagon feature matters most to you—raw speed, cargo space, or balanced handling? Share your priority in the comments below—we’ll help you weigh the options.
