Higher Than the M5 (Critically)

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

In America, we solely obtained the 530e for the G30 era. Whereas this automobile is okay in case you’re efficiency-minded, it wasn’t thrilling. The 330e existed too. The smaller automobile possibly felt high quality 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 an additional mannequin to slot in their portfolio given the 5 Sequence fashions out there to the US and what US consumers have 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. Need to get monetary savings? Get a 530i.

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

Fortunately, over 5 years later, I obtained to drive its successor, and this time, I get to drive it as a result of it’s now out there within the G60 era 5 Sequence because the 550e. This automobile didn’t simply stay as much as my very own hype; it exceeded it. Of the three totally different variants of the G60 era I’ve pushed over the past two years (i5 eDrive 40 and M5 Touring), that is the one I’d 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 load, the facility coming from the S68 4.4L V8 at the side of the electrical motor is shockingly fast. It’s heavy and large, 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 automobile could make any quantity of mass transfer in a short time.

Nonetheless, the M5 may be very stiff. It is usually very inefficient the second the battery runs out. So far as street tripping goes, that is one space the brand new M5 falls somewhat quick because it solely has roughly 250 miles of vary on a tank of gasoline. There’s a hole in practicality and efficiency with the M5. It’s wildly succesful on monitor, a backroad, or a stoplight drag race. It is usually shockingly environment friendly plugged in and working on electrical. However relating to 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. Each day, it’s a rather more comfy automobile to drive. The tuning of the air suspension is rather more compliant on regular roads. Full cease, that is almost tied with the iX for essentially the most comfy fashionable BMW I’ve pushed. The rebound and compression are rather more forgiving and fewer jarring in comparison with the M automobile. This isn’t simply a way more comfy driving automobile; it’s rather more environment friendly too.

On gasoline solely or hybrid mode at freeway speeds, the 550e continues to be capable of obtain spectacular numbers for such a big car. On a virtually two-hundred-mile street journey in Southern California, I used to be simply capable of obtain over 36 mpg at roughly 75 miles per hour. That provides this plug-in hybrid a freeway cruising vary of over 500 miles with the 15.9-gallon gasoline tank. You’ll be able to simply and comfortably drive this automobile throughout the nation.

In reality, I don’t know many vehicles in BMW’s lineup outdoors of a 740i or X5 which 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 automobile has really achieved rather more in real-world driving. In metropolis driving and the crawling freeway site visitors round LA, my 550e obtained as excessive as 54 miles on a single cost. Most days, attaining 45 miles was straightforward in combined driving situations.

On condition that the common American drives solely 37-40 miles per day, there’s a sturdy likelihood chances are you’ll by no means want to make use of the gasoline 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 gasoline and electrical with out the downsides that I’d argue this automobile is the perfect of each worlds.

It’s functionally an excellent EV for day by day driving but additionally a really handy, fast, and pragmatic road-trip hybrid gasoline automobile. It presents 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 gasoline, and charging this automobile every night time or when an EV charging spot was out there in public was really simpler to stay with than counting on gasoline alone.

Folks neglect that many cities have a really strong Degree 2 charging infrastructure, and generally the devoted EV charging spots will not be solely essentially 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 automobile possession life hack.

Efficiency That Flies Beneath the Radar

However what I like concerning the 2025 BMW 550e is just not solely the effectivity; it’s how a lot efficiency this automobile presents in one thing that flies beneath the radar. Trying on the energy and acceleration figures of this automobile 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 might 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 rather more torque. The very fact this automobile obtained 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 automobile.

Inside: Good, Dangerous, and Lacking Options

The inside of the BMW 550e is customary fare of fine and dangerous elements about this era of 5 Sequence. Whereas a number of the materials decisions close to your legs and ft may really feel low cost, the remainder is a good design with attention-grabbing 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 automobile that seat cooling and seat therapeutic massage have been lacking as they’re out there or customary on less expensive vehicles. The usual sound system is definitely high quality, however contemplating how significantly better the Bowers and Wilkins sounds for less than $950, it’s definitely worth the improve.

The Verdict: A Effectively-Rounded Sleeper

I actually discovered little or no I didn’t like about this automobile. Certain, as a PHEV it has barely much less trunk house 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. Outdoors of that, it presents the perfect of each powertrains.

There’s plenty of comfort and efficiency with this powertrain with little or no draw back. It’s comfy 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 may collect, however BMW North America was not capable of give us a extra correct quantity).

Regardless of the badge having an “e” as a substitute of an “M,” this automobile is a lot extra succesful than individuals understand, and it is extremely a lot a sleeper. I feel you’ll be doing your self a disservice in case you didn’t take a look at this automobile on your subsequent day by day. It could be costly, however this may simply be essentially the most well-rounded BMW sedan on sale at this time.