EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2026 BMW M5 Touring. That’s a station wagon with a difference – or two – or more. The seventh-gen version of this M-Division autobahn burner, it’s a plug-in hybrid with rorty V-8 and a sleek shape that starts with twin-kidney grill, lots of gaping air intakes and spoilers, serious Continental rubber – and four doors plus a hatch done in a wild Vegas Red Metallic.
The interior is designed for the driver, with body-hugging buckets seats up front, a thick-rimed steering wheel with shift paddles – and a sweeping digital display that starts with a configurable 12.3-inch gauge display, a 14.9 inch infotainment touchscreen with BMW’s iDrive 8.5 interface, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as HD radio and more..
Four adults fit nicely in here – so does 27-cubic-feet of luggage, or 67 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded flat. And over it all, a long panoramic roof with power shade in a lush Alcantara Suede headliner. .
Under that long bonnet lies the happy place here – a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 with 717 hp and 738 lb ft of torque, some of that from an electric motor in back that adds 195 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. There’s an 8-speed M Sport automatic. There’s six drive modes, from eCONTROL (best hybrid efficiency) on up to Dynamic Plus. Plug it in, and BMW says this M5 Touring’s 14.8 kWh battery allows for up to 87 mph (and up to 33 miles) from electric motor alone. Or launch control achieves 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, electric motor torque immediate with a hint of rear wheelspin, then the V-8 mellow bellowing – .92Gs on launch. It’s also very agile, flat and secure to play with due to grippy rubber, four-wheel-drive and adaptive suspension, pulling a very impressive 1.03Gs in steady-state cornering with no understeer.
So read lots more about this – 2026 BMW M5 Touring: V8 Muscle With An EV Twist – and check out a full video – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan.And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.