Our Favorite Cars of the Year

Subsequent yr needs to be a giant one for BMW. With the introduction of the long-awaited Neue Klasse of autos, beginning with the very spectacular BMW iX3, the Bavarians are ushering in a brand new period, beginning in 2026. However earlier than we head into new waters, it’s useful to look again at what was, the place BMW got here from, and one of the best vehicles of the previous yr. So listed below are one of the best BMWs, at the very least in our ebook, from 2025.

There have been many nice Bimmers on sale for 2025, even when all of them had been launched a lot, a lot sooner than that. And a few of them will nonetheless be on sale in 2026. So this checklist is neither an introduction nor a farewell. It’s merely a glance again on the ultimate yr earlier than BMW’s Neue Klasse begins reshaping the model perpetually.

Finest Sports activities Automotive: BMW Z4 M40i “Handschalter”

That is arguably an important class for any checklist of BMWs. You don’t earn an “Final Driving Machine” motto for making luxurious SUVs, in any case. And, merely put, one of the best sports activities automotive with a Roundel final yr was the BMW Z4 M40i with the “Handschalter” package deal.

Whereas followers weren’t precisely shocked when BMW introduced it was giving the Z4 a guide, because it had been rumored for some time, it was nonetheless thrilling information. Fortunately, BMW delivered on such pleasure, because the Z4 M40i is sensational with three pedals and a stick. BMW calls the choice a “Version Handschalter Bundle,” and it comes with just a few different goodies, like upgraded wheels, M Sport brakes with crimson calipers, Prolonged Shadowline trim, black mirror caps, and black excessive gloss trim inside. What actually issues is the six-speed guide transmission, which will get paired to BMW’s ever-so-brilliant B58 engine.

The Z4 M40i was already a significantly better sports activities automotive than it bought credit score for, even with its beforehand obligatory ZF-sourced eight-speed computerized. Nonetheless, giving it a guide transmission unlocked all of its sports activities automotive potential, which felt revelatory. After spending every week with the guide Z4, I used to be utterly smitten and, extra importantly, felt that it was one of the best BMW on sale. Interval. I do know that sentiment is shared amongst most of the model’s followers.

There are many nice driving Bimmers proper now. However none of them really feel as very similar to an old-school BMW sports activities automotive because the guide Z4 M40i. It’s simply the proper mixture of light-weight dealing with, excellent chassis steadiness, exact steering, and punchy energy. And because the Z4 nonetheless makes use of BMW’s now-ancient, however nonetheless sensible, iDrive 7, it doesn’t really feel like an excessively sophisticated techno-fest inside. It’s only a easy, no-nonsense BMW cabin that’s practical, ergonomic, and very nicely constructed. The Z4 M40i “Handschalter” isn’t simply one of the best BMW sports activities automotive of 2025, it’s among the best sports activities vehicles on sale, full cease.

Finest SUV: BMW X5 xDrive50e

In the event you stated that the complete BMW X5 household is one of the best SUV in BMW’s lineup, you in all probability wouldn’t get an argument from me. Whereas I’m a giant fan of the X7, with its spectacular mixture of inside area and shocking driving dynamics, the X5 is a sensational general SUV. It nonetheless seems nice, regardless of being close to the top of its life-cycle, its inside is beautiful and principally very merely laid out (even when the newer iDrive 8 is a bit a lot), and it’s pretty to drive.

Among the many X5 lineup, it isn’t the monstrous M Competitors, nor the cozy V8-powered M60i that put on the crown, although. It’s the extra humble X5 xDrive50e. OK, in order that isn’t the sexiest or most fun alternative, however it’s the proper one. The X5 50e is the proper mixture of attributes that make BMW’s longest-running SUV so nice. It’s nonetheless comfy, foregoing any brittle M Efficiency suspension, but it nonetheless handles with typical BMW steadiness. And it’s nonetheless fast, hitting 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, due to its sensible B58 straight-six engine that’s paired to an electrical motor. Add 40 miles of all-electric vary and wonderful 58 MPGe, and you’ve got among the best all-around luxurious SUVs available on the market.

Finest Convertible: BMW M850i Convertible

OK, OK, so it’s form of odd saying the Z4 M40i is one of the best sports activities automotive after which not giving it one of the best convertible title, too. I get it. However we should restrict every automotive to 1 title; in any other case, the guide drop-top would take most of those. Even nonetheless, although, the getting older BMW M850i Convertible makes a compelling case for itself right here. It does precisely what it’s imagined to do and does it nicely: it’s a grand tourer within the truest sense.

Previous-school grand tourers are quietly dying, with out the form of fanatic protest surrounding the dying of guide transmissions or conventional sports activities vehicles. However the M850i is among the many final of a dying breed, and it needs to be applauded for sticking round. Regardless of it being one of many oldest vehicles in BMW’s lineup, it’s nonetheless probably one of the best wanting (maybe as a result of it’s one of many oldest). Just like the equally gray-haired Z4, the M850i additionally has an older-style inside with iDrive 7, and it’s so significantly better for it. Bodily, metallic buttons and understated but wealthy supplies adorn the cabin, making it really feel costly and substantial, slightly than the superficial techno-whiz-bangery present in some extra trendy BMWs.

Get behind the wheel, and the M850i delights with a refined, comfy experience, easy and balanced dealing with, and easy energy. It isn’t a automotive you drive in anger, it’s one you simply take pleasure in when you get from one place to a different, in a short time. It’s precisely what an excellent GT automotive is meant to be, and that deserves applause earlier than BMW lastly kills it off.

Finest Worth: BMW M340i

There needs to be a 3 Collection on this checklist someplace, proper? The three Collection has all the time been BMW’s bread and butter, and it nonetheless is, even because the model marches into the longer term. This G20-generation 3 Collection is getting previous itself, with a Neue Klasse substitute on the best way. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless among the best general sport sedans available on the market, and the M340i is one of the best instance of it. With the all the time spectacular B58 engine underneath the hood, the M340i is quicker than nearly each M3 ever made. It might probably in all probability dangle with most M3s on monitor, too, with exact steering and balanced dealing with. And nonetheless, it’s comfy sufficient to reside with every single day, has room within the again seat for 2 adults or three youngsters, and packs a large enough trunk to deal with most every day life.

Certain, the M340i isn’t fairly as exact or as enjoyable as some earlier generations of three Collection. But it surely’s about nearly as good as you’re gonna get these days. There are sedans which might be extra enjoyable to drive than the G20 3 Collection, such because the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Cadillac CT4, and Acura TLX. However none of them present the identical mixture of enjoyable, refinement, consolation, and tech that the three Collection does. And the M340i is quicker than the remainder of them, as well.

Whereas the M340i has gotten a bit costly, at over $62,000 to begin, it’s exhausting to beat as an general worth proposition. The M340i can fairly be all the things you want as a every day driver, whereas nonetheless being enjoyable on a twisty again highway, and able to smoking sports activities vehicles at cease lights. It’s exhausting to beat that breadth of functionality for any worth.

Finest Wanting BMW: Speedtop

Perhaps I’m dishonest a bit with this one, because the Speedtop isn’t obtainable to mere mortals. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a car that BMW produced and bought in 2025. And simply take a look at it. Are any of you truly going to argue that the Speedtop isn’t the best-looking BMW of the yr?

The BMW Speedtop relies on the 8 Collection, however its bodywork is totally distinctive. For starters, it’s a flipping taking pictures brake, with its lengthy three-door wagon physique fashion, which earns it massive fashion factors by itself. Past that, although, it’s additionally only a actually beautiful form, with its low hood, shark-like entrance finish, squinty headlights, and bulging rear fenders. It seems highly effective and opulent on the similar time, whereas additionally being much more sensible than a typical coupe. I additionally love its easy wheels and want BMW would migrate that design over to a few of its extra attainable autos.

OK, so for the inside, BMW simply did its greatest WinAmp impression by reskinning an 8 Collection cabin with new colours and calling it a day. Nonetheless, it’s a handsome inside with an admittedly superbly bespoke trunk. Whereas it’s absurdly costly, at a rumored $500,000, it’s nonetheless the best-looking factor BMW put out all yr, so it deserves this title even whether it is unobtanium.