There are cars that impress you with numbers on a spec sheet, and there are cars that make you feel something the moment you press the accelerator. The 2025 BMW M5 Competition does both — and then some. With a hybrid-assisted twin-turbo V8 producing a staggering 727 horsepower, this is the most powerful production M5 BMW has ever made. But raw power is only part of the story.
We drove the new M5 Competition for a full week — city commutes, motorway runs, mountain roads, and a full day at the Nürburgring — to give you the most honest, complete picture possible. No press-trip softening. No manufacturer talking points. Just the truth.
First Impressions & Design
BMW has evolved the M5’s design in ways that feel both familiar and fresh. The kidney grilles are larger than ever — love them or hate them, there’s no ignoring them — flanked by sharp LED headlights with a new signature daytime running light pattern. The car sits wider and lower than the standard 5 Series, with aggressive quad exhaust outlets at the rear that hint at the performance lurking beneath.
The overall silhouette is clean and sophisticated. This is not a car that screams for attention with enormous spoilers or garish badging. The Competition package adds blacked-out trim, unique 20-inch M light alloy wheels in a mixed Jet Black finish, and subtle M Competition badges. Our test car came in San Remo Green metallic — a stunning, almost vintage-feeling shade that suits the M5’s muscular proportions beautifully.
The Cabin: Luxury Meets Purposefulness
Step inside and you’re greeted by an interior that feels genuinely premium. The curved iDrive display — a 12.3-inch instrument cluster paired with a 14.9-inch infotainment screen — dominates the dashboard in an elegant sweep. Physical buttons have been largely replaced by haptic controls, though BMW has wisely retained hard buttons for the climate system.
The M5-specific touches are everywhere. Carbon fibre trim inserts, M-stitched Merino leather, illuminated M5 door sills, and the jewel of the interior: the M Sport seats in full Merino leather with contrast stitching and the M logo embossed in the headrests. These seats are genuinely outstanding — supportive without being punishing, holding you firmly through high-g cornering while remaining comfortable over a four-hour motorway journey.
Rear passenger space is generous for a performance saloon. Three adults sit comfortably; four is possible on long trips. The 520-litre boot is practical and swallows weekend luggage without drama. This is a genuine daily driver.
The Powertrain: A Hybrid Revolution
Here is where the 2025 M5 makes its boldest statement. For the first time, the M5 uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain: BMW’s 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged M TwinPower V8 is paired with an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission. Combined output: 727 hp and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque.
The result is a car that launches from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds — faster than a McLaren 570S. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h as standard, or 290 km/h with the M Driver’s Package.
In electric-only mode, the M5 can cover up to 67 km (42 miles) on a full charge — genuinely useful for urban commuting. BMW claims a WLTP combined fuel economy figure of 2.2 l/100km, though you’ll need to keep the battery charged to see numbers anywhere near that. On our mixed test, with the battery occasionally depleted, we saw a more honest 11.4 l/100km — still impressive for a 727-hp car.
The V8’s character is magnificent. There’s a deep, theatrical growl at idle that builds to a hard-edged roar under full acceleration. It’s one of the finest engine sounds in the current market, and BMW has been careful not to drown it out with artificial enhancement.
Handling & Dynamics: The M5’s True Art
Numbers are impressive, but it’s the dynamic experience that makes the M5 special. BMW’s new M xDrive all-wheel-drive system with rear-wheel drive mode transforms the M5 from a point-and-shoot GT car into something far more engaging. In 4WD Sport mode, the car plants all 727 horses with surgical precision; flip it to 2WD mode on a track and the M5 becomes a supremely controllable, joyfully adjustable rear-driver.
The steering is a highlight — direct, well-weighted, and communicative. The Active M Differential at the rear works seamlessly with the xDrive system to keep power on the road in an incredibly transparent way. In corners, the M5 feels substantially smaller and lighter than its 2,435 kg kerb weight suggests. The carbon-ceramic brakes on our test car — a £8,000 option — provided outstanding, consistent stopping power even after repeated hard laps.
Adaptive M suspension allows for genuine comfort in the Comfort setting; the ride in the city is entirely liveable. Switch to Sport or Sport+ and the car sharpens dramatically, but never to the point of harshness. This is the M5’s greatest trick: being all things at once.
Technology & Driver Aids
The new M5 is one of the most technologically advanced cars BMW has ever produced. The M Setup menu allows you to configure nearly every aspect of the car independently — engine response, steering weight, suspension firmness, all-wheel-drive split, DSC intervention, and even exhaust volume. You can save two custom configurations to the M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel.
BMW’s latest iDrive 8.5 system is fast, intuitive, and well-integrated with the M-specific displays. The head-up display is excellent, showing speed, navigation, and M performance data in a clear, uncluttered layout. Over-the-air updates keep the software current.
Driver assistance systems include standard active cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keeping assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The M Drive Professional package adds a laptimer, G-force meter, and drift analyser — genuine performance tools, not just marketing gimmicks.
What We Love — And What We Don’t
✅ What’s brilliant:
- 727 hp that feels useable, not terrifying
- Genuinely comfortable daily driving with electric mode
- One of the greatest V8 soundtracks in production today
- Outstanding steering feel and chassis balance
- Interior quality genuinely rivals Porsche Panamera
- Rear-wheel drive mode for track days
⚠️ What could be better:
- Kerb weight of 2,435 kg is noticeable when pushing hard
- Plug-in hybrid adds complexity and charging dependency
- Haptic buttons require habituation
- Carbon ceramic brake option is very expensive
- Real-world fuel economy disappointing with depleted battery
Verdict
The 2025 BMW M5 Competition is an extraordinary achievement. It is the fastest, most powerful, most technologically advanced M5 ever built — and yet it remains a genuine everyday car. The hybrid powertrain, which initially seemed like a compromise, turns out to be one of its greatest strengths: the torque-fill from the electric motor makes the V8 feel even more potent, and the electric-only mode makes living with a 727-hp car genuinely practical.
Is it perfect? No. The weight is real, and the complexity of the hybrid system means there’s more to manage. But when you’re on a fast mountain road, electric motor and V8 working in perfect harmony, the M5 Competition delivers an experience that justifies every penny of its considerable asking price. This is the benchmark for performance saloons in 2025.
Tested by the AutoFix Editorial Team. Test vehicle was manufacturer-supplied for evaluation purposes. Ratings and opinions are entirely independent.