At first glance, this car looks like a heavyweight champion who decided to wear a tuxedo to a street fight—but is the new BMW M5 actually a step backward, or have we simply forgotten how to embrace the future?
Buying a high-performance sedan today is more confusing than ever. For forty years, the BMW M5 was the undisputed north star of the automotive world. It was the “one car to rule them all”—a vehicle that could transport a CEO to a board meeting in absolute silence and then shred its rear tires on a racetrack ten minutes later. But as we move into 2026, BMW has done something that has sent the purists into a full-blown existential crisis. They’ve added a battery, a motor, and a whole lot of weight.
If you’re planning to buy this car, here’s what you must know: the new G90 generation M5 is the first of its kind to be a plug-in hybrid. Having personally tested every iteration of the M5 over the last 12 years—from the screaming V10s to the surgical F90—I can tell you that the stakes have never been higher. We are talking about a car that now weighs nearly 2.5 tonnes. To put that in perspective, that’s heavier than some luxury SUVs.
But here’s the catch—on paper, it produces more power than any M5 in history. It promises silent electric cruising and violent V8 acceleration. So, is the New BMW M5 review: lesser than its predecessor? Is it a bloated technological marvel or the most versatile super-sedan ever made? This is where things get interesting. Let’s dive into the details and find out if BMW has fixed what wasn’t broken or if they’ve redefined the game entirely.
<h2>The Hybrid Transformation: Quick Overview</h2>
The 2026 BMW M5 is a seismic shift for the M Division. Under the hood sits the familiar 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, but it’s now paired with an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed transmission. This setup is borrowed from the polarizing BMW XM, but it has been refined for the low-slung chassis of a sedan.
Launched globally and now making its way to the garages of India’s elite, the new M5 isn’t just a car; it’s a computer with 727 horsepower. In a world where environmental norms are suffocating the internal combustion engine, BMW’s “M Hybrid” system is their way of keeping the V8 alive. But as any enthusiast will tell you, weight is the enemy of performance. The question isn’t whether it’s fast—it’s whether it still feels like an M5.
<h2>Exterior Design: The Wide-Body Bruiser</h2>
BMW has been taking some “brave” risks with design lately, but the new M5 is surprisingly cohesive. It looks like it’s been hitting the gym, specifically focusing on its shoulders.
<h3>The Stance and Width</h3>
The first thing you’ll notice is the width. This isn’t just a 5 Series with a badge. The M5 features massively flared wheel arches that give it a “coke-bottle” shape. It is significantly wider than the standard sedan, and those haunches house staggered 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.
- The Kidney Grille: It is almost entirely closed off and features an illuminated surround. It’s aggressive without being “oversized” like the M3.
- The Quad Exhausts: They are massive, 100mm black chrome pipes that remind everyone that despite the charging port, there is still a monster under the hood.
<h3>Aerodynamics and Details</h3>
The roof is standard in steel to accommodate the panoramic glass, but you can opt for the M Carbon roof to shave off a few kilograms and lower the center of gravity. The mirrors are the classic “M” double-bridge design, and the rear diffuser looks like it was plucked straight from a GT3 race car. In the flesh, especially in “Isle of Man Green” or “Frozen Deep Grey,” it looks absolutely menacing. It doesn’t just occupy space; it dominates it.
<h2>Interior Design & Comfort: The Digital Cockpit</h2>
Step inside, and the “lesser than its predecessor” argument takes a hit. The interior is a massive leap forward in terms of sheer luxury and “wow” factor.
<h3>The Curved Display and Interaction Bar</h3>
The dashboard is dominated by the BMW Curved Display, running the latest Operating System 8.5.
- The M-Specific Graphics: The gauges change from a calm blue in “Electric” mode to a fiery red with a shift-light indicator in “Sport Plus.”
- The Interaction Bar: Borrowed from the 7 Series, this crystalline bar across the dash pulses with light when you receive a phone call or when the car is charging.
<h3>The M Multifunction Seats</h3>
These seats are a masterclass in ergonomics. They feature illuminated “M5” logos in the headrests and offer everything from heating and ventilation to side-bolsters that actively grip you the moment you engage a corner. For the average Indian reader who might spend hours in city traffic, the comfort here is vastly superior to the outgoing model. It feels less like a stripped-out racer and more like a private jet for the road.
<h3>Space and Practicality</h3>
However, there is a small catch. Because of the 18.6 kWh battery pack located under the floor and rear seat, the boot space has been slightly compromised. It’s still enough for two large golf bags, but it’s noticeably shallower than the non-hybrid 5 Series. The rear legroom, however, remains excellent, making this a genuine four-passenger trans-continental express.
<h2>Engine Specifications & Performance: The 727 HP Beast</h2>
This is the core of the New BMW M5 review: lesser than its predecessor? debate. Can an electric motor replace the purity of a light, high-revving engine?
<h3>The M Hybrid Powertrain</h3>
The V8 alone produces 585 hp, but when the electric motor joins the party, the total output climbs to a staggering 727 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque. Yes, you read that correctly—four-digit torque.
<h3>Performance Statistics Table</h3>
| Specification | 2026 BMW M5 (G90) | 2021 BMW M5 CS (F90) |
| Engine | 4.4L V8 + Electric Motor | 4.4L V8 Twin-Turbo |
| Combined Power | 727 hp | 635 hp |
| Combined Torque | 1,000 Nm | 750 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 Seconds | 3.0 Seconds |
| Weight (DIN) | 2,435 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Electric Range | 69 km | N/A |
But here’s the catch—despite having nearly 100 extra horsepower, the new M5 is actually slower to 100 km/h than the old M5 CS. Why? The weight. Launching 2.4 tonnes from a standstill is a battle against physics. However, once you are moving—say from 80 km/h to 180 km/h—the new M5 is an absolute freight train. The electric motor fills the “turbo lag” gap instantly, giving you a surge of power that feels bottomless.
<h2>Mileage and Fuel Efficiency: The “Green” M5</h2>
For the first time in an M5 review, we have to talk about charging. This car is a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), which means you can actually commute to your office in India without burning a single drop of petrol.
- Electric-Only Range: You get about 67-69 km of pure electric driving. For most urban users in Mumbai or Delhi, that covers the daily commute.
- Hybrid Efficiency: If you keep the battery charged, the car can return incredible mileage figures that would make a small hatchback blush.
- The “Dead Battery” Reality: But here’s the catch—once the battery is depleted, you are carrying around 400 kg of “dead weight” (the motor and batteries). In this state, the V8 has to work harder, and your fuel efficiency will drop to about 5-7 km/l in heavy city traffic.
If you have a home charger and a discipline for plugging it in, this is the most “efficient” performance car in the world. If you don’t, you’re just driving a very heavy petrol car.
<h2>Ride Quality & Real-World Driving: The Weighted Dance</h2>
This is where the expert in me has to be brutally honest. How does it handle the infamous “unscientific” speed breakers and potholes of India?
The new M5 features Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers and, for the first time, Integral Active Steering (rear-wheel steering) as standard.
- The Low-Speed Comfort: In “Comfort” mode, the new M5 is remarkably plush. The extra weight actually helps it “settle” over bumps. It feels more like a 7 Series than a sports car. It glides over road imperfections that would have rattled the teeth of an old M5 owner.
- The High-Speed Dynamics: On a winding road, the rear-wheel steering does a phenomenal job of hiding the car’s size. It tucks into corners with surprising eagerness.
But here’s the catch—you can’t hide 2.4 tonnes forever. In very tight, back-to-back hairpins, you feel the mass wanting to push the car wide. The brakes (optional Carbon Ceramics) are incredible, but they have to work significantly harder than before. It’s a car that rewards “smooth” driving rather than “flickable” aggression.
Features and Technology: The Digital Superbrain
If Part 1 was about the “gym-honed” exterior and the heavy hybrid heart, Part 2 is where we look at the invisible algorithms that try to make 2.4 tonnes dance like a featherweight. The new M5 is basically a supercomputer that happens to have a V8 attached to it.
- M Hybrid Boost Control: This is a small insight only an expert would know—if you pull and hold the left shift paddle for more than a second, the car enters “Boost” mode. Every single setting—engine, battery, and gearbox—instantly switches to maximum attack for 10 seconds. It’s like having an “overtake” button from a Formula 1 car.
- The M Hybrid Soundscape: Since the car can drive in silence, BMW hired Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer to create the “IconicSounds Electric.” It doesn’t mimic an engine; it creates a futuristic, swelling hum that gives you a sense of speed without the noise.
- The M Setup Menu: You can customize everything. And I mean everything. The brakes (pedal feel), the steering, the energy recuperation, and the 4WD system. You can save your favorite “City” setup on the M1 button and your “Track” setup on the M2 button on the steering wheel.
But here’s the catch—with so many layers of digital intervention, the mechanical “connection” is fading. In older M5s, you felt the gears slamming home; here, it’s so smooth and calculated that it can sometimes feel a bit like a very high-end flight simulator.
Safety Features: The High-Speed Guardian
BMW hasn’t just built a fast car; they’ve built a fortress. The G90 M5 is packed with safety tech that is calibrated for speeds the average driver will never even see.
- Active Guard & Driving Assistant Professional: This includes everything from Lane Change Assistant to Emergency Stop Assistant. In a country like India, where highway surprises are common, the car’s ability to “see” three cars ahead using radar is a literal lifesaver.
- M Compound Brakes: As standard, you get massive 6-piston fixed calipers at the front. For India, I highly recommend the optional M Carbon Ceramic Brakes. They don’t just stop the car better; they reduce the “unsprung mass” by 25kg, which makes the steering feel noticeably sharper.
- Parking Assistant Professional: Let’s be honest, the new M5 is a big car—wider and longer than ever. This system can “remember” a 200-metre path into a tight parking spot and recreate it autonomously. You just sit there and watch the steering wheel spin itself.
4WD to 2WD: The Jekyll and Hyde Act
The new M5 uses the M xDrive system, but it’s more intelligent than before.
- 4WD Mode: This is the default. It’s rear-biased but provides immense grip. You can floor it on a wet road in Mumbai, and the car will just hook up and go.
- 4WD Sport: This allows for “hero drifts”—it lets the tail slide out just enough to make you look like a pro before the computer brings you back.
- 2WD Mode: This is the “Purist” mode. It disconnects the front axle entirely and turns off the DSC (Stability Control). It turns this heavy hybrid into a smoke-machine that will destroy its rear tires in minutes. It’s BMW’s way of saying, “We haven’t forgotten how to have fun.”
Price and Variants: The Reality Check
In India, the M5 arrives as a Completely Built Unit (CBU). It is a bespoke purchase, and the price reflects the staggering amount of tech on board.
2026 BMW M5 Price Table (Estimated Ex-Showroom)
| Variant | Powertrain | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| BMW M5 (Standard) | 4.4L V8 PHEV | ₹ 1.99 Crore |
| BMW M5 Carbon Edition | 4.4L V8 PHEV + Carbon Kit | ₹ 2.15 Crore |
| BMW M5 Competition | (Upcoming) | ₹ 2.30 Crore (Est) |
Note: With options like Individual paint and Carbon Ceramics, a “well-specced” M5 will easily cross ₹ 2.50 Crore on-road.
Competitor Comparison: The Super-Sedan War
| Feature | BMW M5 (G90) | Mercedes-AMG E63 S | Audi RS7 Performance |
| Engine | V8 Plug-in Hybrid | V8 Mild Hybrid | V8 Twin-Turbo |
| Power | 727 hp | 612 hp | 630 hp |
| Torque | 1,000 Nm | 850 Nm | 850 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 Seconds | 3.4 Seconds | 3.4 Seconds |
| EV Range | 69 km | N/A | N/A |
The M5 is the heaviest, but it’s also the most technologically advanced and the only one that can commute silently on electricity.
Pros and Cons: The Unfiltered Truth
Pros:
- Incredible Versatility: A silent EV in the city, a monster on the highway.
- Luxury: The interior quality and tech are now on par with the 7 Series.
- Mid-Range Punch: 1,000 Nm of torque makes overtaking feel effortless.
- Refinement: The quietest and most comfortable M5 ever made.
Cons:
- The Weight: 2,435 kg is impossible to ignore in tight corners.
- 0-100 kph: It is technically slower than the lighter, older M5 CS.
- Digital Feel: The connection between man and machine feels a bit “filtered.”
- Boot Space: Small for a car of this size due to the batteries.
Who should buy this vehicle?
You should buy the New BMW M5 if you are a high-mileage CEO who wants the best of both worlds. If you want a car that can crawl through Bangalore’s silk-board traffic in total silence but can also devour the highway to Mysore in record time, this is the ultimate tool. It is for the buyer who values technology, status, and effortless power over raw, “old-school” track times.
Who should avoid it?
Avoid this car if you are a track-day purist. If your idea of a perfect Sunday is chasing lap times at the Buddh International Circuit, the weight of the G90 will frustrate you. You would be better off looking for a used F90 M5 CS or moving to an M3 CS. This is a “Super-GT” now, not a lightweight scalpel.
Expert Verdict: Lesser Than Its Predecessor?
So, is the New BMW M5 review: lesser than its predecessor? If your metric for “better” is purely based on a stopwatch and a weighing scale, then yes, the G90 might feel like a step back. It’s heavier and a fraction slower to 100 kph than the old CS.
However, if your metric is real-world capability, the new M5 is a triumph. It has a broader range of talents than any car in history. It is more comfortable, more luxurious, more efficient, and more powerful. It has successfully navigated the transition into the electric age without losing its V8 soul. It’s not “lesser”—it’s just different. It’s an M5 that has grown up for a world that cares as much about emissions as it does about adrenaline.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Q1: How long does it take to charge the battery?
Using a standard 7.4 kW AC wall-box, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to charge from 0 to 100%. It’s designed to be plugged in every night.
Q2: Can I drive it on 2WD mode in India?
Technically, yes. But with 1,000 Nm of torque and no stability control, it is extremely dangerous on dusty or uneven Indian roads. Save the 2WD mode for an empty track.
Q3: Does the hybrid battery reduce the fuel tank size?
Yes, the fuel tank is slightly smaller than the previous generation at 60 litres. However, the electric range makes up for the total distance you can travel.
Q4: Is the ground clearance okay for Indian speed breakers?
It is low (140 mm), but the suspension is clever. In Comfort mode, it doesn’t “sag,” so as long as you take large speed breakers diagonally, you’ll be fine.
Q5: Will the hybrid system work if the battery is at 0%?
Yes, the engine will always keep a small reserve of power to ensure you have the electric “boost” available for overtaking, though the overall efficiency will drop.