Better Than the M5 (Seriously)

Again in 2020, I keep in mind seeing the information concerning the G30 BMW 5 Series facelift. In Germany, they acquired a brand new plug-in hybrid mannequin known as the 545e. I learn all about it. To me, it appeared like the proper BMW I might need. A plug-in hybrid that would get 35 miles of electrical vary for commuting however nonetheless had the ability and presence of a turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine. That looks as if one of the best of each worlds. “I want we acquired that right here,” was considering.

In America, we solely acquired the 530e for the G30 technology. Whereas this automotive is ok in case you’re efficiency-minded, it wasn’t thrilling. The 330e existed too. The smaller automotive possibly felt tremendous with the four-cylinder PHEV system, however the bigger 530e is a bit sluggish and uninspiring with that powertrain.

However with BMW’s lineup in North America, there simply wasn’t room for one more mannequin to slot in their portfolio given the 5 Sequence fashions out there to the US and what US consumers had been on the lookout for. Need a quick 5 Sequence? Get an M5. Don’t fairly have the cash for one? Get an M550i. Need one thing environment friendly? Get a 530e. Wish to get monetary savings? Get a 530i.

The 540i stays an incredible all-around automotive however nonetheless lacks the efficiency or effectivity that both finish of the mannequin vary has to supply. “I wager the 545e could be such an incredible automotive to personal,” was considering once more.

Fortunately, over 5 years later, I acquired to drive its successor, and this time, I get to drive it as a result of it’s now out there within the G60 technology 5 Sequence because the 550e. This automotive didn’t simply reside as much as my very own hype; it exceeded it. Of the three totally different variants of the G60 technology I’ve pushed over the past two years (i5 eDrive 40 and M5 Touring), that is the one I might really need in my storage.

Sure, much more than the M5. Let me clarify.

Love The M5, However Too Costly

The M5 is an absolute beast. Whereas some hate the PHEV addition of it and the burden, the ability coming from the S68 4.4L V8 along side the electrical motor is shockingly fast. It’s heavy and massive, however so is a Nimitz-Class plane provider that may do over 30 knots on the open ocean. Placing the equal of a nuclear reactor in a automotive could make any quantity of mass transfer in a short time.

Nonetheless, the M5 could be very stiff. Additionally it is very inefficient the second the battery runs out. So far as highway tripping goes, that is one space the brand new M5 falls a little bit brief because it solely has roughly 250 miles of vary on a tank of fuel. There’s a hole in practicality and efficiency with the M5. It’s wildly succesful on monitor, a backroad, or a stoplight drag race. Additionally it is shockingly environment friendly plugged in and working on electrical. However in the case of driving longer distances—one thing BMWs have traditionally been nice at—it leaves a bit to be desired.

The BMW 550e: Consolation Meets Effectivity

Then there’s the 2025 BMW 550e. Every day, it’s a way more snug automotive to drive. The tuning of the air suspension is way more compliant on regular roads. Full cease, that is practically tied with the iX for probably the most snug fashionable BMW I’ve pushed. The rebound and compression are way more forgiving and fewer jarring in comparison with the M automotive. This isn’t simply a way more snug using automotive; it’s way more environment friendly too.

On fuel solely or hybrid mode at freeway speeds, the 550e remains to be in a position to obtain spectacular numbers for such a big automobile. On a virtually two-hundred-mile highway journey in Southern California, I used to be simply in a position to obtain over 36 mpg at roughly 75 miles per hour. That offers this plug-in hybrid a freeway cruising vary of over 500 miles with the 15.9-gallon gas tank. You possibly can simply and comfortably drive this automotive throughout the nation.

In reality, I don’t know many vehicles in BMW’s lineup outdoors of a 740i or X5 that may do the job higher.

Actual-World Electrical Vary: Higher Than EPA Estimates

The electrical efficiency of the BMW 550e is spectacular in its personal proper. Whereas the EPA estimates 34 miles of electrical driving vary from the 19 kWh usable battery, the automotive has really achieved way more in real-world driving. In metropolis driving and the crawling freeway visitors round LA, my 550e acquired as excessive as 54 miles on a single cost. Most days, attaining 45 miles was straightforward in combined driving situations.

Provided that the typical American drives solely 37-40 miles per day, there’s a robust probability chances are you’ll by no means want to make use of the fuel motor in case you simply commute. Whereas many complain that plug-in hybrids are “the worst of each worlds,” I disagree. Trendy PHEVs just like the 550e mix so many good qualities of each fuel and electrical with out the downsides that I might argue this automotive is one of the best of each worlds.

It’s functionally an incredible EV for each day driving but in addition a really handy, fast, and pragmatic road-trip hybrid fuel automotive. It gives nice sounds with the inline-six, loads of character, however nonetheless makes you’re feeling like you’re doing all of your half to scale back emissions as a result of, properly, you’re. I drove just below 1,000 miles on a single tank of fuel, and charging this automotive every night time or when an EV charging spot was out there in public was really simpler to reside with than counting on fuel alone.

Folks overlook that many cities have a really strong Degree 2 charging infrastructure, and generally the devoted EV charging spots aren’t solely probably the most conveniently positioned however generally the one ones open. Plugging in for just a few {dollars} to get 45 miles of electrical vary in about two hours isn’t simply handy; it really appears like a automotive possession life hack.

Efficiency That Flies Underneath the Radar

However what I like concerning the 2025 BMW 550e just isn’t solely the effectivity; it’s how a lot efficiency this automotive gives in one thing that flies beneath the radar. Trying on the energy and acceleration figures of this automotive jogged my memory of one other BMW 5 Sequence—the E60 M5. That V10-powered tremendous sedan had 500 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque and does 0-60 in 4.1 seconds.

The 2025 550e has 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque and may do 0-60 in 4.1 seconds. The mid-level, efficiency-focused 550e is simply as fast as a V10-powered M5. It’s solely down 17 horsepower however with way more torque. The actual fact this automotive acquired a median of 63 mpg the week I had it with out sacrificing straight-line efficiency is, to me, an extremely spectacular feat. I actually love how little compromise I’ve with this automotive.

Inside: Good, Unhealthy, and Lacking Options

The inside of the BMW 550e is customary fare of excellent and dangerous facets about this technology of 5 Sequence. Whereas a few of the materials decisions close to your legs and ft would possibly really feel low-cost, the remaining is a good design with fascinating finishes in one thing that feels well-screwed-together. It’s extremely quiet.

iDrive 8.5 stays the identical as in different BMW fashions and is pretty straightforward to make use of, however we nonetheless miss the bodily HVAC controls of iDrive 7 and earlier. The inside feels very ergonomic. Seat consolation is great, however I discovered it unusual for an $85,000 automotive that seat cooling and seat therapeutic massage had been lacking as they’re out there or customary on less expensive vehicles. The usual sound system is definitely tremendous, however contemplating how a lot better the Bowers and Wilkins sounds for under $950, it’s well worth the improve.

The Verdict: A Nicely-Rounded Sleeper

I actually discovered little or no I didn’t like about this automotive. Certain, as a PHEV it has barely much less trunk area in comparison with a pure ICE or EV G60, however then once more, at 18.4 cu-ft., it’s nonetheless an enormous trunk—simply possibly not for one thing this dimension. Exterior of that, it gives one of the best of each powertrains.

There’s numerous comfort and efficiency with this powertrain with little or no draw back. It’s snug however nonetheless sporty. It’s environment friendly but quick. Truthfully, this was my favourite of the lineup that I’ve pushed up to now. It’s not widespread you’ll see a 550e as solely about 1,000 are bought yearly (from the gross sales knowledge we might collect, however BMW North America was not in a position to give us a extra correct quantity).

Regardless of the badge having an “e” as an alternative of an “M,” this automotive is a lot extra succesful than individuals understand, and it is vitally a lot a sleeper. I believe you’d be doing your self a disservice in case you didn’t have a look at this automotive in your subsequent each day. It could be costly, however this would possibly simply be probably the most well-rounded BMW sedan on sale in the present day.