BMW M5 Touring review

Essentially the same as the saloon variant, which is to say incredibly fast but slightly lacking in satisfaction. BMW might offer incredible levels of adjustability and functionality - and yes, it does all have an effect - but at some point it just feels like a lack of confidence in its own engineers’ judgement.

Just to run you through some of the basics, there are three modes for the drivetrain: e-control to manage the battery for later use, electric to run EV-only and hybrid to make the most of the fuel economy. If you option the M Driver’s package, you get two more - Dynamic and Dynamic Plus - which do even more things with electric boosting/cooling when wanting to go fast.

Then there are three drive programmes, Road, Sport and Track. Then there is the setup menu, in which you can change the rest of the M5 Touring’s reactive universe. Traction control, brake pedal feel (comfort for soft stop in town, sport for track), sound, damper controls, chassis, drive mode (4WD, 4WD sport, 2WD), steering weight, brake recuperation intensity. If you like playing with settings, buy this car immediately. 

But what about the actual driving bit?

Responsive. There’s excellent throttle response, tight, bright steering and active rear steer to make this big wagon feel perky. The electric motor fills any gaps in the engine’s lower rev-range, and the eight-speed ‘box reacts faithfully; good in town, fast enough on a twisty road, with the car’s body control tight enough to almost make you forget the wagon bit at the back. It might be 40-50kg heavier than the saloon, but honestly, there’s so many electronic aids knocking about and pulling the physics in different directions, it’s been effectively dialled out. Mind you, the Touring’s extra weight is probably under two percent of the total mass.

Saying that, the Touring brakes the same way as the saloon, which is to say anti-facelift, though TG has only currently tried the carbon-ceramic brake option, which you can identify by the gold brake calipers.

Honestly the M5 Touring is at it’s best in similar situations as the saloon; swooping roads in the sporty-but-not-insane modes, 4WD Sport and a defined rear bias, relaxed but not ‘off’ traction control settings, response from engine and steering wound up. Or actually set into the softer settings and Hybrid mode for rapid cruising.

It’s probably not on the M5 bingo card, but having some e-running from the Touring is also quite nice if you’ve got a big load on; smooth and fuss-free, and you don’t make any noise leaving ScrewFix.

So you prefer the Touring?

Yep. The whole vibe of the Touring feels more appropriate for the tech. And the weight doesn’t seem as inappropriate. Don’t forget, this is a car that weighs more than a V8 X5 SUV or the all-electric i5 M60. With the Touring having that grown-up feel, the idea that all that weight is being furiously managed by code isn't quite as much of a bother.

And yes, you can still stick it in 2WD mode and do a burnout if you want. Although it doesn’t just spin the wheels, it bonfires the tyres. That’s 737lb ft for you.

It sounds like you just prefer fast estates?

Our bias may be showing. But honestly, the Touring looks more resolved than the saloon and just seems more appropriate. As supertourings go, it’s flawed but mighty, and a very confidence-inspiring car to drive quickly no matter the conditions.