2025 BMW M5 Touring vs. Audi RS6 Performance: Which Super Wagon Wins?

Performance Wagon Showdown

• 🎯 The comparison pits the 2025 BMW M5 Touring against the Audi RS6 Performance Avant, two high-performance German station wagons.
• 🚀 Both vehicles feature powerful twin-turbo V8 engines, 8-speed automatic transmissions, all-wheel drive, rear steering, and carbon-ceramic brakes.
• 💰 Starting prices are around $130,000, but the tested BMW M5 Touring is $140,000, and the Audi RS6 Performance Avant is $167,000.
• ⚖️ The BMW M5 Touring weighs over 5,400 lbs, while the Audi RS6 Performance Avant is around 4,800 lbs.

Design and Aesthetics

• ✨ The Audi RS6 is praised for its striking design, though the D-pillar is noted as being too raked, resembling coupe-like styling.
• 🚗 The BMW M5 Touring is described as having a better, more traditional station wagon shape and a handsome profile.
• 🚘 However, the speaker finds BMW's current front-end design less appealing, considering the Audi's front fascia to be better, despite being somewhat stale.

Driving Dynamics: Audi RS6 Performance

• 🚦 The Audi RS6 Performance Avant offers a busy, choppy ride, but with nicely weighted steering feel.
• ⚠️ A traditional Audi weakness, understeer due to the engine placement ahead of the front axle, is still present, though mitigated by rear steering and improvements in the Performance model.
• 🌊 The car exhibits secondary, "dolphiny" movements in corners, causing occupants to move around.
• 💺 While the seats look fantastic, they are considered a level below the BMW's in terms of comfort and feel.
• ⚙️ The transmission shifts are described as lacadasical and not as snappy as expected, with BMW's programming of the same transmission being superior.

Driving Dynamics: BMW M5 Touring

• 💎 The BMW M5 Touring prioritizes luxury, offering a very comfortable and quiet ride, even at high speeds.
• ⚡ Acceleration is instant and rapid, thanks to the plug-in hybrid system, providing effortless power in any gear.
• 🏎️ Handling is excellent, with no understeer, making it a capable athlete despite its size and luxury focus.
• 🛣️ While it handles bumps quicker than the Audi, it can feel the bumps slightly more due to its luxurious tuning.
• 🔄 A notable feature is the ability to switch to rear-wheel drive mode, an advantage of its rear-drive platform.

Verdict and Comparison

• ✅ The BMW M5 Touring is less expensive, a better luxury vehicle with superior seats, superior cornering, and better real-world acceleration.
• 📦 The BMW also offers a wider and more useful luggage compartment in the rear.
• 🏆 The 2025 BMW M5 Touring is declared the winner of this comparison test, praised as a wonderful wagon.
• ⚡ A brief mention of the all-electric Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S is made, but it's not considered a direct competitor and the speaker would prefer the BMW M5 Touring over it.