2025 BMW M5 (G90) Review: Is This The Ultimate Driving Machine or Just Hype?
The new 2025 BMW M5 has debuted to a chorus of online critics, some heralds calling it a step back in every conceivable aspect. It’s a familiar symphony accompanying BMW’s product launches, provoking intrigue and skepticism in equal measure. While the 2025 BMW M5 isn’t without its flaws, it equally demands recognition for its accomplishments. So, let’s balance the G90 M5’s perceived pitfalls with its laudable feats through a detailed pros and cons rundown.
2025 BMW M5 Pros: Unmatched Power, Cutting-Edge Tech, and Refined Aesthetics
When discussing the 2025 BMW M5 (G90), one cannot overlook its staggering power output. Touted as the most powerful M5 ever produced, it boasts an impressive 717 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. This prowess is distributed through BMW’s tried-and-true M xDrive all-wheel-drive system and a reliable ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, the car features a novel Boost Control function, providing extra thrust between 20 and 90 mph, along with staples like a differential, adaptive suspension, model-specific wheels, and optional carbon ceramic brakes.
Another feather in its cap is the hybrid powertrain, capable of up to 25 miles on electric power alone. While this might not suffice for extended trips, the ability to undertake short, silent journeys without producing emissions is undeniably attractive for certain customers. Whether it’s for sneaking through city streets or reducing your carbon footprint, this feature is bound to win some fans.
Visually, the 2025 M5 shines as well. The interior takes luxury a notch higher with Merino metallic leather trim, specifically crafted for this model. On the outside, the car adheres to a consistent design language, highlighted by a straightforward front grille that avoids the extravagance seen in some other BMW models. The result is a vehicle that looks unmistakably like an M5, striking a perfect balance between brand familiarity and modern flair.
Regarding color options, the M5 offers exciting new shades, with Isle of Man Green becoming a crowd favorite. While choices are generally a positive trend, they might complicate decision-making for some buyers. But more on that shortly.
2025 BMW M5 Cons: Performance Caveats and Costly Options
Despite its power, the G90 M5 grapples with a noticeable drawback: weight. Weighing in at a hefty 5,390 pounds (2,444 kg), it’s almost 1,000 pounds heavier than its predecessor, the F90 M5. The added weight has some tangible impacts, with BMW’s quoted zero to 60 mph time being slower for the G90 at 3.4 seconds compared to the F90’s 3.2 seconds. It’s paradoxical to find that more power results in a bulkier and slightly slower machine, at least on paper.
Another downside is that the car's agility could be compromised by this extra heft. Additionally, some previously standard features like the carbon roof have now been relegated to optional status, likely bundled into a costly $17,000 M Carbon Package. Equally lamentable is the absence of the M-specific analog gauges that made their debut with the 2018 M5. Although these were phased out with the F90’s facelift, their absence is still felt in the G90.
Is the 2025 BMW M5 Better Than Its Forebears?
The hallmark of a successful M5 has always been a trio of attributes: comfort, performance, and style. While the 2025 BMW M5 seems poised to check these boxes, the added weight raises some concerns (see: weight issues). It brings the capability of on-demand electric driving, adding a layer of versatility previously unseen in M5s. However, whether it matches the iconic status of the F90 M5, revered for its deft design and performance, remains an open question. We're excited to get behind the wheel and see if the G90 can uphold its lineage and perhaps even exceed it in real-world conditions.