2026 BMW M5 Touring: First M5 Wagon Sold in America

After 40 years of American enthusiasts begging for one, BMW is finally selling an M5 wagon in the United States. The 2026 M5 Touring, internally the G99, brings 717 horsepower from a plug-in hybrid V8, all-wheel drive, and roughly 27 cubic feet of cargo space, starting at about $123,900. The catch is weight: it tips the scales at close to 5,500 pounds.

Why the G99 is a milestone for the US

BMW has built M5 Touring wagons before, but never sold them in America. The G99 changes that. It is the first M5 Touring offered to US buyers, arriving alongside the G90 sedan and giving the small but loyal super-wagon crowd a factory-backed alternative to the Audi RS6 Avant. For a market that has watched fast wagons come and go, this is a genuine first.

Is the M5 Touring really coming to the US?

Yes. The 2026 M5 Touring is confirmed for the US market and is listed directly on BMW's American configurator. This is not a gray-market import or a one-off: it is a regular-production model with US pricing, US warranty coverage, and dealer availability. The wagon shares its running gear with the sedan, so American buyers get the full M5 experience with a longer roof and a bigger cargo hold.

How much power does the 2026 M5 Touring make?

The M5 Touring uses the S68 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 paired with an electric motor in a plug-in hybrid setup. Combined output is 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, routed through an eight-speed automatic and BMW's M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. That makes it more powerful on paper than its main rival, the Audi RS6 Avant, which produces 621 horsepower from its own twin-turbo V8.

• Engine: 4.4L twin-turbo V8 (S68) plus electric motor
• Combined output: 717 hp and 738 lb-ft
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: M xDrive all-wheel drive
• Type: plug-in hybrid

How fast is it, and how heavy?

BMW claims 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and real-world testing tends to beat that figure. The complication is mass. Thanks to the plug-in hybrid hardware and battery, the M5 Touring weighs roughly 5,500 pounds, with one published curb weight at 5,523 pounds. That is a lot of car to launch, and it is the single biggest change in character versus the gas-only M5 wagons of the past.

The weight problem

The hybrid system that delivers the M5 Touring's power also delivers its biggest drawback. At a reported 5,523 pounds, the BMW carries about 541 pounds more than the 4,982-pound Audi RS6 Avant, roughly the weight of a fully grown adult plus their luggage riding along at all times. Despite making nearly 100 more horsepower, the M5 launches a hair slower than the Audi, which BMW quotes at 3.5 seconds against the RS6's 3.3-second claim. The mass shows up most in quick direction changes and hard launches, where the lighter Audi can feel more immediate, and it is the trade BMW accepted to add the plug-in hybrid's electric torque and 25 miles of EV running. Brakes and tires will work harder over a long, hard drive, so it is worth seeing how the car feels on the road you actually drive.

How far can it go on electric power alone?

The M5 Touring's plug-in hybrid system delivers an EPA-rated 25 miles of electric-only range, enough for short commutes or quiet around-town driving before the V8 fires up. For 2026, BMW increased the onboard AC charging rate from 7.4 kW to 11 kW, which meaningfully shortens the time to top up the battery at home or at a Level 2 charger. It is not a long-range EV, but it adds daily-driver flexibility a pure combustion wagon cannot match.

How much cargo does the M5 Touring hold?

Practicality is the whole reason to buy a wagon, and the M5 Touring delivers. There are 27.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 67 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded flat. That trails the Audi RS6 Avant's 30 cubic feet behind the second row, but it is still vastly more usable than the M5 sedan's trunk and easily swallows strollers, gear, or a big grocery run.

• Behind rear seats: 27.2 cubic feet
• Seats folded: up to 67 cubic feet
• Audi RS6 Avant, for comparison: 30 cubic feet behind the rear seats

What is the M5 Touring's top speed?

Like other M cars, the M5 Touring is electronically limited to 155 mph in standard form. Order the optional M Driver's Package and the limiter rises to 190 mph, and BMW includes a day of professional driving instruction at a track as part of the deal. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain draws from a 14.8 kWh battery, which is what enables the 25 miles of electric-only driving along with the quiet, torque-rich low-speed manners that contrast so sharply with the V8 at full chat.

What is standard inside the M5 Touring?

The cabin is thoroughly modern BMW. Standard equipment includes the BMW Curved Display, which combines a 14.9-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch M-specific digital instrument cluster running iDrive 8.5, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display, adaptive M suspension, and M multifunction seats. Outside, staggered wheels measure 20 inches up front and 21 inches at the rear, wrapped in performance tires. It is a genuine luxury interior built around a 717-horsepower drivetrain, which is much of the appeal of paying super-wagon money.

• BMW Curved Display: 14.9-inch touchscreen plus 12.3-inch cluster (iDrive 8.5)
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, head-up display
• Adaptive M suspension and M multifunction seats
• Staggered wheels: 20-inch front, 21-inch rear
• Plug-in hybrid battery: 14.8 kWh

How much does the 2026 BMW M5 Touring cost?

The M5 Touring starts at about $123,900, with some sources listing a base figure closer to $125,300 once configuration is factored in. Either way it undercuts the Audi RS6 Avant, which starts around $131,995, by several thousand dollars. For a 717-hp, all-wheel-drive super-wagon, that positioning makes the BMW look like relative value in a tiny, expensive segment.

M5 Touring vs Audi RS6 Avant: which one wins?

It depends on what you value. The BMW wins on power, price, and electric-only running; the Audi wins on weight, cargo room, and outright launch feel. Neither is a wrong answer, and both are among the fastest practical cars you can buy. The decision comes down to whether you prioritize the BMW's hybrid tech and lower price or the Audi's lighter, more analog character.

• Power: M5 Touring 717 hp vs RS6 Avant 621 hp
• Weight: M5 Touring approx 5,523 lb vs RS6 Avant 4,982 lb
• Cargo: M5 Touring 27.2 cu ft vs RS6 Avant 30 cu ft
• 0-60 (claimed): M5 Touring 3.5 sec vs RS6 Avant 3.3 sec
• Starting price: M5 Touring approx $123,900 vs RS6 Avant approx $131,995

Should you buy now or wait?

For the buyer who has wanted a US-market M5 wagon for decades, the answer is simple: this is the car, and it is here now. The weight is real and worth a test drive, but it does not erase the appeal of 717 horsepower, all-wheel-drive traction, and wagon practicality wrapped in one BMW. Watch for early independent instrumented tests to confirm BMW's acceleration and electric-range claims, and pay attention to how the hybrid hardware affects ride and handling on real roads rather than a spec sheet. Keep an eye on dealer markups too, since super-wagon volume is low and demand for a first-ever US M5 Touring is likely to run hot, which means the smart move is locking in an allocation early rather than waiting for inventory to pile up on lots.