Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Most Powerful Non-M 5-Series Also Plugs InI love both the M5 Sedan and M5 Touring (wagon). The 717-hp twin-turbo V8 PHEVs are monsters of power and drive lighter than they actually are (5,300+ pounds). But they cost north of $120,000 and closer to $140,000 when properly optioned. They also beg the question as to when and how you'll be able to exploit that kind of power on legal roads, especially if most of your driving is commuting and toting the kids around. Good thing BMW makes another 5-Series PHEV known as the 550e xDrive.Amos KwonThe plug‑in hybrid non-M 5 Series doesn't deliver the sledgehammer drama of BMW's 717‑hp supersleds, but as a daily tool for real people with real commutes, it's a pretty convincing sports and family vehicle. The 550e xDrive's base price is a little more than half the cost of a fully-outfitted M5. My week-long drive proved you don't have to buy the most expensive BMW sedan to get sport, luxury, high-tech, and driving thrills.AdvertisementAdvertisementMy tester's base price was $73,400. Including options such as merino leather, Carbon Black Metallic paint, the Dynamic Handling Package, Driving Assistance, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, M Sport Brakes with blue calipers, and the BMW Iconic Glow Kidney Grille, the price came to $87,050.Exterior Styling - 8/10Amos KwonThe look of the current 8th-generation G60 5-Series isn't my favorite, but I've always been biased toward the E39 5-Series from the early 2000s. That design is classic. The 7th-generation G30 5-Series was handsome but not distinct enough. The 550e xDrive is definitely more noticeable, but it looks a bit awkward and bulky from some angles. It's not as attractive as the M5, which benefits from a wider stance, more aggressive fenders, and different front and rear fascias. The tall body crease doesn't help matters, giving the 550e xDrive a slab-sided look that's not as sleek as its predecessor.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleThe sedan also has less attractive taillights than the Touring's, and the strange silver reflector surrounds/faux rear vents look out of place. It actually looks less premium than its predecessor from the outside. The Carbon Black (a midnight blue) looks much better than lighter paint colors because it hides the creases and contours. Finally, I'm not a big fan of BMW's latest wheel designs for the 5, and these overly intricate two-tone wheels are a lot visually. I miss the classic M-Parallel style wheels from the '90s. The versions on the 550e will also be brake dust magnets that will be hard to clean given the numerous creases and pockets.The Driving Experience - 9/10Amos KwonThe 550e xDrive is no slouch when it comes to thrust and handling. It's powered by a 3.0‑liter turbocharged inline‑six paired with an electric motor for a combined 483 hp and 516 lb‑ft, routed through an eight‑speed automatic and xDrive all‑wheel drive. That's more shove than any non‑M 5 Series has offered before, and it's enough to move this big sedan to 60 mph in the low‑four‑second range. It's heavy at 4,894 pounds, but that's 474 pounds less than the M5 sedan, so it doesn't feel nearly as chonky in the turns. The Dynamic Handling Package on my tester costs $2,200 but adds rear-wheel steering, giving the 550e xDrive added manueverability. I would strongly recommend this option. It sharpens the feeling of the 550e and reduces its felt heft in the turns.Amos KwonAdvertisementAdvertisementView the 1 images of this gallery on the original articleThe steering is light but accurate, the body control with adaptive dampers is tight without being punishing, and it corners remarkably well for something this heavy. There's an artifice to the steering, but you get used to it. You can hustle it, and it will respond with genuine balance and grip. It never felt alarmingly aggressive with the throttle the way the M5 does. Even in Efficient mode, the 550e is quick and responsive. Dial it into Sport mode, and it becomes more aggressive, maximizing the 550e's capabiliites. There's more shove, urgency, and the suspension and steering tighten up.Is it perfect? No. The brake pedal, like many hybrids, has a slightly artificial feel as you transition from regen to friction, and if you run the battery flat and leave it there, the 550e can feel more like a heavy six‑cylinder 5 Series than an M-ish car, but it's more than enough for daily driving demands for passing and highway on-ramps. The 550e's suspension and rear‑axle steering come together to provide a high level of control for a car that weighs as much as a Ram 1500.Amos KwonIn terms of driving in all-electric mode, BMW quotes an electric‑only range of 33 miles, and it's a conservative estimate. I got 42 miles before the battery was drained. On a home Level 2 charger, you're looking at a few hours for a full top‑off, and if you're diligent about plugging in, the fuel savings should be significant. Without the inline-six alone, I was able to net 26 mpg. Not bad for a car with this much horsepower and weight.Thinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.Interior Styling, Tech, and Comfort - 7.75/10Amos KwonThe cabin of the 550e xDrive is a lot like the M5's only ever so slightly toned down. As sporty as the overal aesthetic is, there's just too much glossy plastic in here for my liking. The multi-faceted ambient lighting surfaces are a bit gimmicky, and the massive bulk of piano black plastic on the center console is the worst fingerprint and dust magnet on any modern vehicle. When other automakers are learning how to provide beautifully texturized matte plastic, BMW still uses the shiny stuff, and it's a head-scratcher. They don't even include a BMW-branded microfiber cloth to clean the smudges off.Amos KwonThe curved display and iDrive interface are slick and packed with features, from augmented‑reality navigation to a full suite of driver assists, but there's also a layer of digital gimmickry that rubbed me wrong. Choosing a drive mode requires you to tap the haptic feedback control on the center console and then tap (or scroll and tap) the touchscreen to make a selection. Then, the screen just sits at the drive mode's full-screen wallpaper until you choose something else. The proces is frustrating and pointless.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe front seats are very good. They're not as well bolstered as the M5's, but they're well-cushioned and supportive for long drives, as well as sufficient for spirited turns. The rear seats are comfy but lack good legroom for tall adults. 37 inches is decent for kids and average-sized adults.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleThe HVAC vents are hidden behind another slab of piano black plastic, and the directional and flow adjustment controls are the worst I've ever used. You can't just reach for the vents and adjust them. You have to move a small scroll wheel underneath the trim. To adjust flow, you tap/slide the touch panel. I get that BMW is trying to make the center stack cleaner, but this is just ridiculously complicated and distracting to use while driving.Final Verdict - 8/10The 550e xDrive doesn't have the street cred or the nutty, weight-defying performance of the M5, but it does about 80 percent of what the M5 PHEV will do and for about half the money. That's why it will probably work better for most buyers who want performance, all-electric commuting range, and nearly the same interior as the M5. It's too bad the 550e xDrive is still overly complex inside and not as opulent as a BMW should be. I found the 550e xDrive to be lower on the radar than the M5 and generally easier to live with, while still providing driving thrills and bank-vault like construction. If only you could do a piano black delete on the spec sheet.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. 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