For decades, American BMW enthusiasts have watched with envy as their European counterparts enjoyed the ultimate combination of practicality and performance: the M Touring. Station wagons – or Tourings or station wagons, as they are called across the pond – have long been considered too niche for the American market, where SUVs and crossovers dominate. But in 2026, BMW has finally given us what we’ve been asking for: the M5 Touring, a vehicle that may be the perfect one-car solution for the performance-oriented family.
The long-awaited arrival
The 2025 BMW M5 Touring represents a turning point for American enthusiasts. Yes, many of us would have preferred the more compact M3 Touring – a car that embodies the compromise between everyday practicality and track-ready dynamics. But let’s be realistic: By American family standards, the M3 Touring’s 500 liters (17.7 cubic feet) of cargo space would feel cramped compared to what we’re used to. In contrast, the M5 Touring offers a whopping 500 liters behind the rear seats, expanding to an impressive 1,630 liters (57.6 cubic feet) with the seats folded – enough space for golf clubs, strollers, luggage and all the detritus of modern family life.
To put this in perspective, that’s only slightly less cargo volume than in a BMW
The X3 M puzzle
As for the X3 M, it’s worth noting that another excellent one-car solution is now off the table. BMW has made it clear that the next-generation X3 M will not receive a traditional combustion engine. While the current X3 M Competition produces 503 hp and offers the elevated seating position and all-weather capability that many families crave, its days are numbered. This makes the M5 Touring even more significant – it could be one of the last combustion-powered M vehicles with real family suitability that BMW will offer in this performance class.
Performance meets practicality
Under the extended hood of the M5 Touring sits BMW’s new M Hybrid system, which combines a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and an electric motor for a total output of 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. The numbers are staggering: 0-60 mph can be achieved in just 3.5 seconds, with the quarter-mile covered in the mid-11-second range. This is supercar performance packed into a practical three-box silhouette that comfortably seats five adults.
But this is where the M5 Touring shows its true utility as a one-car solution: the 18.6 kWh battery provides an all-electric range of over 30 miles. For many enthusiasts, this means their daily commute, school runs and trips to the grocery store can be completed in near silence, using no gasoline and producing no local emissions. The EPA estimates combined fuel economy in hybrid mode at about 21 mpg — not bad for a 717-horsepower station wagon that weighs about 5,530 pounds.
It’s the practical details that matter
Beyond straight-line performance and cargo capacity, the M5 Touring stands out for the details that make it a true one-car solution. The back seat offers 36.5 inches of legroom – really comfortable space for adult passengers on longer trips. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats allow you to transport long items like skis while accommodating passengers.
Do you need to tow? When properly equipped, the M5 Touring is rated to tow up to 4,400 pounds – enough for a small boat, a pair of motorcycles or a lightweight camping trailer. Try to find another vehicle with more than 700 hp that meets this requirement and still offers a smooth everyday driving experience.
Bold, uncompromising and refreshingly different
In a parking lot dominated by anonymous crossovers and SUVs, the M5 Touring makes an undeniable statement. Its long roofline, aggressive front apron and four exhaust pipes make it clear that this is no ordinary family transporter. The flared fenders, 20-inch wheels (21-inch are optional), and distinctive Hofmeister kink all signal serious intentions.
There’s something wonderfully contradictory about choosing a station wagon in 2026 America. It means you care more about driving dynamics than ride height, that you value the lower center of gravity and better handling that comes with a traditional station wagon format.
The bizarre factor
Let’s face it: part of the M5 Touring’s appeal lies in its uniqueness. How many will BMW sell in America? A good number, but unlikely to be mass-produced. And that’s exactly the point. In a world of conformity where every other vehicle on the road is a two-box SUV with similar proportions and driving characteristics, the M5 Touring is delightfully strange. It’s a conversation starter, a knowing nod to those who understand that sometimes the road less traveled is the most rewarding.
The combo format has always been an insider’s choice and popular with those who value substance over style. And while modern station wagons have become significantly more stylish – the M5 Touring looks really good from every angle – they still represent a choice that says, “I know what I want and I don’t care that it’s not what everyone else is buying.”
Truly the one-car solution
Yes, for some the M3 Touring might have been the perfect size. Yes, an updated X3 M with an S58 would have offered higher ground clearance and a more conventional American package. But none of these vehicles exist for us and they are not coming. The M5 Touring is what we have, and honestly, it might be exactly what we need.
The question is not whether the M5 Touring is the perfect one-car solution. The question is: are you brave enough to choose it?
