2025 BMW i5 M60 Touring Review

At first glance, it looks like BMW has built something niche. A fully electric luxury wagon with M badges and a price tag that makes even enthusiasts raise an eyebrow. But the 2025 BMW i5 M60 Touring isn’t just another EV aiming for numbers on a spec sheet. It’s a showcase of what happens when practicality, cutting-edge tech, and performance DNA are forced to live under the same sculpted roofline. It might wear the shape of a family car, but this wagon packs the kind of punch that makes Teslas nervous and 7 Series drivers curious.

From the illuminated side skirts to the hidden carbon trim and aggressive drive modes, the i5 M60 doesn’t just whisper premium, it shouts it, sometimes literally, with a 0–100 km/h sprint that feels like a theme park launch. But all that power and prestige doesn’t come cheap. With a starting price north of $219,000 before on-roads, it begs the question: is this electric long-roof worth that kind of outlay?

We’ve lived with it, charged it, booted it full of gear, and let it loose on Aussie backroads. Here’s everything you need to know.

How Much It Costs: Luxury at a Serious Price

The 2025 BMW i5 M60 Touring starts at $219,900 before on-road costs, but once you factor in registration, stamp duty, and dealer charges, you’re realistically looking at a drive-away price around $234,000 depending on your state.

At that level, it’s competing with everything from high-end electric sedans to luxury SUVs and even some exotics. Yet this car leans into an unusual niche, it’s a station wagon with proper M performance credentials, an electric drivetrain, and the sort of daily usability you don’t often get in this price range.

What’s surprising, and a bit frustrating, is that not everything is included. While the massive 21-inch wheels, some metallic paints, and core driver assistance tech come standard, you’ll still need to pay extra for things like rear seat heating, tablet holders, or even the wall box charger for home installation. Heated and ventilated front seats? Optional. Want those slick tablet mounts in the back? Add another $800.

So while you do get a lot for the price, the fact that BMW still dangles options like carrot sticks at this level might be a turn-off for buyers expecting an all-inclusive luxury experience.

Still, in BMW’s defense, the base spec is very well loaded, and the performance you’re getting does justify much of the spend. But it’s certainly not a bargain. This is a luxury tourer aimed at buyers who want it all, are willing to pay for it, and don’t mind a few upcharges along the way.

Charging and Range: Fast at Home, Expensive on the Road

The 2025 BMW i5 M60 Touring is built for long hauls, but like any high-performance EV, where and how you charge it makes a huge difference.

BMW includes both a Type 2 charging cable and a portable wall plug with the car, which is great for occasional public top-ups or emergencies. But if you want to make the most of its capabilities, you’ll want a proper home setup. On three-phase power, the i5 can accept up to 22 kW AC, which is above average, especially useful for overnight top-ups if you have the infrastructure.

• Home charging at 8 kW (like many suburban setups) can take the battery from 10% to over 50% overnight, costing as little as 8 cents per kWh during off-peak hours.
• DC fast charging tops out at 205 kW, which isn’t quite class-leading but still respectable. It’ll take you from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes, provided you find a charger capable of that speed.

The catch? Using public fast chargers regularly will add up quickly. Depending on your provider, costs could exceed 60 cents per kWh, especially during peak periods. That’s a big contrast to those sweet off-peak home rates, and something worth factoring into your ownership equation.

As for range, real-world efficiency paints a slightly thirstier picture than the WLTP rating suggests. The 84 kWh battery delivered an observed average of 22.1 kWh/100 km, which equates to around 380 km of usable range. That’s good, but not groundbreaking, and likely to dip if you regularly unleash all 601 horses.

If you’ve got access to home charging and plan your longer trips carefully, the i5 M60 Touring makes EV ownership feel seamless. But lean too hard on public chargers, and the running costs might start to sting.

First Impressions: Walk-Up Party Tricks and Bold Styling

From the moment you approach it, the 2025 BMW i5 M60 Touring is designed to show off. Walk up with the key in your pocket, and the car unlocks itself while illuminating the door handles and side skirts with glowing M badges. It’s a subtle flex, but one that sets the tone, this isn’t just another EV.

The exterior design is bound to spark debate. Some will love the futuristic mix of sport and sophistication, others might find the blanked-out kidney grille hard to warm to. The good news? The lighting signature and sharp side profile give it presence, even before you clock the M60 badge and massive 21-inch wheels (which, thankfully, come standard).

• Illuminated handles and side skirts: Adds that ‘look at me’ factor when you walk up in the dark.
• Included 21-inch alloys: No surprise upcharges here, they’re part of the base spec.

Round the back, BMW plays it a bit safer. The rear end resolves cleanly with signature LED lighting, dual blue-ring BMW logos, and a powered tailgate that opens with a kick gesture. It’s both premium and practical, a theme you’ll see repeated throughout the car.

This is a wagon with serious stage presence. Whether you’re a fan of the shape or still mourning sedans, the execution here is undeniably bold. And when it lights up just for you, you can’t help but smirk a little.

Practicality: Space Meets Luxury in Wagon Form

If you still associate wagons with dull family haulers, the 2025 BMW i5 M60 Touring will change that perception fast. It may look sleek and aggressive, but underneath the sculpted bodywork is a seriously usable load-lugger.

Pop the powered tailgate (with a foot kick, of course) and you’re met with a flat load floor, wide opening, and clever packaging that makes this a genuinely capable hauler.

• Boot capacity sits at 570 litres with the rear seats up, easily swallowing suitcases, camera gear or shopping hauls.
• Drop the 40:20:40 split rear seats via pull tabs and you get a cavernous 1,700 litres of space, perfect for road trips or IKEA raids.

Under the boot floor, you’ll find a decent secondary storage area, plus tie-down hooks, a 12V socket, and a comprehensive first-aid and puncture kit. BMW also includes two separate bags for your charging cables, which stow neatly and don’t rattle around.

Other thoughtful touches?

• Adjustable cargo blind that can be set at two different lengths or removed entirely.
• Side netting pockets for loose items, and proper ISOFIX mounts with top tether points across all three rear seats.

The only downside is that you don’t get a frunk. Because this i5 is based on BMW’s CLAR platform (which still accommodates combustion engines), that front real estate is taken up by hardware you’ll never need to touch. Still, in terms of rear-end practicality, this wagon plays its role exceptionally well.

It’s luxurious, yes, but also supremely functional.

Backseat Comfort: Great Space, But a Few Weird Omissions

Jump into the back of the i5 M60 Touring and the first thing you’ll notice is just how plush and spacious it feels. Legroom is generous, shoulder room is more than adequate, and the low floor gives excellent under-thigh support. It’s the kind of rear seat that makes you wonder why anyone would bother with an SUV.

The panoramic glass roof helps make the space feel even more expansive, bathing the cabin in natural light during the day and giving it a luxurious vibe at night.

• Dual USB-C ports and tablet mounts (brackets optional) make it road-trip friendly.
• Independent climate controls and vents in both the centre console and B-pillars are a premium touch.

But there are some strange omissions considering the $200K+ price point. Heated rear seats and integrated window blinds are optional extras, which feels like a bit of a cash grab.

And then there’s the centre seat. While it’s decently padded, the transmission tunnel (inherited from the petrol platform) cuts deeply into legroom. Anyone sitting in the middle will be doing the awkward leg straddle dance, not ideal on longer drives.

Still, for two rear passengers, this space is undeniably premium. The materials, lighting, and seating position all deliver the luxury you’d expect. Just be ready to pay more if you want those nice-to-haves bundled in.

Interior Tech: Infotainment Overload and a Killer Sound System

Sit in the i5 M60’s driver’s seat and you’re met with a tech-heavy environment that feels more spaceship than station wagon. The massive curved display blends a 12.3-inch digital cluster with a 14.9-inch central touchscreen, crisp, responsive, and packed with features.

BMW’s OS 8.5 software powers it all, and while the learning curve can be steep, the layout is logical once you settle in. There’s voice control, app integration, live navigation, and even some fun gimmicks like interior lighting effects that change with drive modes.

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard and work flawlessly.
• Search bar functionality helps you dig through the vast menu structure more quickly.

The digital climate controls and hidden air vents look minimalist but are a bit finicky in real-world use. Adjusting airflow direction via small rubber nubs isn’t the most intuitive, and you’ll wish for physical buttons on bumpy roads.

Audio quality, though? Nothing short of superb.

• Bowers & Wilkins 17-speaker system with 650 watts of punch delivers rich, immersive sound.
• Bass is deep, vocals are clear, and spatial audio effects are genuinely impressive, especially at volume.

Add in multiple USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad (for one device), and a configurable head-up display that’s as sharp as any in the segment, and the i5 feels like it’s earned its price tag, at least in the tech department.

The only real quirk? Some of the coolest features are still locked behind optional packs, which is a bit of a downer on a six-figure luxury EV.

Driving Experience: Comfort Cruiser or Performance Weapon?

The BMW i5 M60 Touring manages a rare balancing act, it’s just as happy gliding silently through suburban streets as it is demolishing twisty backroads. At its core, this is a dual-motor AWD electric rocketship producing 601 horsepower and 820 Nm of torque. But it doesn’t always feel like it’s showing off.

In Comfort or Efficient mode, the i5 is serene, planted, and surprisingly smooth. Adaptive air suspension soaks up road imperfections with ease, even on 21-inch wheels, making it a true luxury cruiser.

But tap over to Sport or press the Boost paddle on the steering wheel and everything changes. The bolsters tighten, throttle response sharpens, and the car hunkers down for business.

• 0–100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds: It feels even faster thanks to the instant torque hit and dramatic seatbelt tensioning as you launch.
• Rear-wheel steering: At low speeds, it helps this long wagon feel surprisingly nimble around tight corners or parking lots.

The steering is electrically assisted but nicely weighted, offering more feedback than most EVs. Body control is excellent, thanks to active dampers and BMW’s dynamic chassis tech. Even when pushed, the i5 stays impressively flat through corners, gripping hard and accelerating out with relentless force.

What stands out most is how composed it feels at all times, whether you’re darting through traffic or winding through country bends, the i5 inspires confidence. You genuinely look for excuses to keep driving.

And while it’s not quite track-ready like some stripped-down performance EVs, it delivers enough theatre and grip to leave a grin on any enthusiast’s face.

Handling and Ride: Impressive Agility for a Big Electric Wagon

At nearly five metres long and tipping the scales at over 2.3 tonnes, you’d be forgiven for assuming the i5 M60 Touring would feel like a heavy cruiser. But once you’re behind the wheel, that perception dissolves almost instantly.

BMW’s engineers have pulled out every trick in the book to make this EV handle like a much smaller car. And somehow, it works.

• Rear wheel steering makes U-turns, roundabouts, and tight car parks far less intimidating. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn opposite the fronts, shrinking the turning circle. At higher speeds, they align for added stability during lane changes or sweeping bends.
• Air suspension with adaptive dampers means you can toggle between comfort and stiffness depending on your mood or the road surface.

On twisty country roads, the i5 stays flat and composed. It grips hard through corners, powered by sticky tyres and an all-wheel-drive system that’s brilliantly calibrated. Despite the weight, it never feels lumbering, instead, it glides through bends with poise and purpose.

In Comfort mode, the ride is supple and forgiving. Potholes and patched-up Aussie B-roads? No problem. In Sport, the chassis tightens up and communicates far more, but still manages to avoid harshness.

• Suspension layout includes multi-link rear and double wishbone-like precision up front (BMW doesn’t officially say, but that’s how it feels).
• Regen braking can be tailored, or switched to full one-pedal mode for relaxed urban driving.

It’s not trying to be a track-day monster, but for a wagon that seats five and hauls serious cargo, the handling is nothing short of remarkable. It strikes a rare balance between performance sharpness and day-to-day refinement.

Spirited Driving: 0–100 Launches and Instant Grins

For all its tech and touring credentials, the 2025 BMW i5 M60 Touring is still an M-badged BMW, and it doesn’t shy away from performance. In fact, it leans into it with theatrical confidence.

With both motors engaged and the full 601 hp at your disposal, 0–100 km/h comes up in a claimed 3.9 seconds, but it feels even quicker. That’s thanks to the launch control setup, the tightly calibrated traction systems, and something called Boost Mode, a party trick you’ll want to show every passenger at least once.

• Activate Boost Mode via a paddle on the steering wheel, and you get 10 seconds of full power with maximum torque delivery and bolstered seat support.
• Seatbelts tighten, lateral bolsters hug your ribs, and the entire car feels like it’s squatting down for a sprint.

Stomp on the accelerator and the result is explosive. No wheelspin, no hesitation, just immediate forward motion that pins you into the seat like a theme park ride. The silence of electric propulsion makes it feel even more surreal.

Cornering at pace? The i5 shrinks around you. Thanks to its low centre of gravity, wide track, and grippy tyres, it feels planted and composed. You can carry real speed through bends without it ever feeling like it’s about to let go.

And then there’s the ride quality, still refined, still compliant. The suspension doesn’t punish you for having fun. Instead, it adapts, reads the road, and balances sharp inputs with grace.

The result? A family-sized EV wagon that can outrun most sports cars off the line and still deliver a confident, smile-inducing backroad blast.

Sure, it’s heavy. And yes, it’s not a featherweight track weapon. But for a daily driver that doubles as a thrill machine, the i5 M60 Touring punches way above its weight class.

Real-World Range: A Thirsty Performance EV

You can’t shove over 600 horsepower into a two-tonne electric wagon and expect Prius-like efficiency, and BMW makes no illusions about that. The i5 M60 Touring is quick, clever, and refined, but it’s no range king.

In real-world driving, we saw consumption figures hovering around 22.1 kWh/100 km, based on a mix of urban commuting, highway cruising, and the occasional Boost Mode blast. With its 84 kWh usable battery, that translates to an effective range of around 380 km, noticeably lower than its WLTP-rated 415–455 km, but not unexpected given its performance bias.

• Around town, gentle driving can stretch the range into the low 400s.
• Frequent acceleration or long stints on the highway? Expect closer to 350–380 km before needing a top-up.

There’s no front trunk (frunk), and the i5 rides on BMW’s CLAR platform originally designed for combustion engines, so you’re not getting the packaging or ultra-lightweight efficiencies of a bespoke EV chassis like a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Porsche Taycan.

It’s also not running on 800-volt architecture, so DC fast charging tops out at 205 kW. That’s good, but not class-leading. A 10–80% recharge will take about 30 minutes, which is fine, but rivals like Kia and Porsche can do it in 17–20 minutes with 800V systems.

If your driving life is mostly metro-based and you can charge at home, this won’t be a dealbreaker. But those hoping to rack up serious road trip mileage will want to plan stops, and maybe skip a Boost Mode or two.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Actually Buy the BMW i5 M60 Touring?

The 2025 BMW i5 M60 Touring is a fascinating mix of contradictions, part family hauler, part luxury flagship, part electric rocket. It’s unapologetically expensive, a little overengineered, and occasionally frustrating with its option list. But it’s also deeply rewarding to drive, brimming with tech, and impressively practical for a vehicle this powerful.

So, who’s it actually for?

• Performance-focused buyers who want EV thrills without sacrificing rear seats, boot space, or comfort.
• Tech lovers looking for a premium alternative to Tesla, with sharper dynamics and a more refined cabin.
• Loyal BMW owners who want to go electric but aren’t ready to jump to the i7 or iX just yet.

On the flip side, if you’re chasing maximum range, ultra-fast charging, or stripped-back minimalist design, you’ll find better options elsewhere, and for less money.

But if you want a genuinely unique electric experience, wrapped in a wagon body that oozes confidence and capability, the i5 M60 Touring is a compelling (if niche) offering. It doesn’t try to be everything to everyone, and that’s exactly why it stands out.

Would We Buy It?

Honestly? If money were no object, absolutely.

The 2025 BMW i5 M60 Touring is one of the most complete all-rounders in the luxury EV world. It’s quick without being obnoxious, refined without being boring, and practical without falling into SUV territory. It delivers genuine driving excitement wrapped in executive-class polish.

But would we spend $234,000 drive-away of our own cash on one? That’s where it gets tricky.

For that kind of money, you’re deep into Porsche Taycan, Mercedes EQS, or even high-spec Range Rover territory. And the fact that heated rear seats, massage functions, and tablet mounts are optional at this price point? That stings a little.

So here’s the TechDrivePlay take:

• Would we recommend it? Yes, especially for buyers who want one car to do it all and aren’t afraid to stand out.
• Would we personally buy it? Only if we were already committed to the BMW ecosystem and absolutely needed a wagon over a sedan or SUV.

It’s sensational, just make sure you actually want this particular flavour of brilliance before signing the dotted line.

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Zachary Skinner

Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.