BMW M SERIES

 

BMW’S M SERIES DELIVERS TRUE 

ULTIMATE DRIVING EXPERIENCE 

BMW likes to refer to its cars as the Ultimate Driving Machine, and though there is no argument that BMW sedans and coupes rate high in performance overall, it is the company’s M Series that really live up to the slogan.

The history of the BMW M Series goes back to 1972 when a handful of the German automaker’s employees formed what would become the BMW Motor Sport Division to focus on enhancing BMW products for European race tracks.

The first-tuned vehicle for the road didn’t come about until six years later when the M1 was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show. It was still very much a race car, however. The BMW M535i introduced in 1979 as actually the first version of M Series as we  it today — a high performance vehicle adapted to real-life driving standards.

Over the years BMW has given M enhancements to nearly every model in its fleet. Here are notes on two I recently had show up in my driveway:

BMW M5 Touring

The BMW M5 Touring is a high-performance plug-in wagon version of the popular 5 Series and was offered in the United States for the first time as a 2025 model.

Under the hood is a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that is mated to an electric motor giving it a whopping 717 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, moving it from zero-to-60 mph in 3.2 seconds.

An 8-speed automatic transmission with BMW’s Drivelo
gic driving modes and Launch Control.is standard All-electric driving range is only about 27 miles.

Combined city/highway fuel ratings are 54 MPGe under gas/electric power and only 13 MPG on gasoline only, which earns it a $2,600 gas guzzler tax from the government.

Aside from the hatchback configuration and the powertrain, there is nothing really to distinguish the M5 Touring wagon from the M5 Sedan. Even the dimensions are virtually the same. Both are 200.6 inches long and 77.6 inches wide (84.9 including mirrors) and the wheelbase is 118.3 inches.

The Touring is a smidge taller, 59.7 inches to 59.4 for the Sedan. There is 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats of the Touring compared to 16.5 for the sedan’s trunk, and the space in the Touring expands to 57.5 cubic feet when its second-row seats are folded.

The usual suite of luxury features are found in both the Sedan and Touring, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless charging and multi-zone climate control.

The 2026 BMW M5 Touring starts at $129,350. The 2025 version that made its U.S debut started at $121,500.

What I liked about the BMW M5 Touring: Acceleration is very brisk. The wagon configuration gives it more storage room, making it more suitable for family car use.

What I didn’t like about the BMW M5 Touring: Numerous drive modes and tech features can be a bit overwhelming to get used to. Electric only range is extremely limited.

Would I buy the BMW M5 Touring? Not for me, but if you want a vehicle that rates high in performance while offering hauling capacity your choices are somewhat limited.

BMW M235

BMW refers to the M235 xDrive as a “Gran Coupe” but in the real world it’s a small 4-door sedan also available as 228 and 228 xDrive versions. All are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine but the M235 is tuned for 312 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The smaller 228 and 228 xDrive are rated  241 hp and 295 lb.-ft.

All get a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The M228 is front-wheel drive (a rarity for BMW) and the M228 xDrive and M235 xDrive are all-wheel drive as noted by their xDrive designation.

Fuel economy figures for the 2026 BMW M235 Gran Coupe xDrive are 24 miles-per-gallon city, 33 highway, and 27 combined. Both M228 models are slightly better with 27/39/31 for the FWD and 26/38/30 for the M228 xDrive. Premium fuel is required for all of them.

BMW gave the Gran Coupe models a makeover for 2025 adding more tech and more power. Leatherette 10-way adjustable front seats, a Haman Kardon premium sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and dual zone front climate control are among standard features.

Safety features include blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and emergency braking assist.

The 2026 BMW M235 Grand Coupe xDrive starts at $50,000 but can go higher. The M228 and M228 xDrive start at $40,000 and $42,000, respectively.

What I liked about the BMW M235 Gran Coupe xDrive: It’s a fun car to drive and relatively well-equipped. It earns kudos from those familiar with the M history.

What I didn’t like about the BMW M235 Gran Coupe xDrive: Cargo capacity is on the small side (12 cubic feet) but then it is classified as a subcompact sedan. Tech features can be overwhelming to operate.

Would I buy the BMW M235 Gran Coupe xDrive? It’s a bit pricey but still offers the cheapest way to get into the BMW fold.

 

LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

LINCOLN UUPDATEs ITS FLAGSHIP SUV 

WITH 48-INCH DISPLAY FOR TECH INFO

Introduced as a 1998 model and beating the Cadillac Escalade to the large luxury SUV segment by a year, the Lincoln Navigator moved its fifth generation with its 2025 redesign.

Updates included the introduction of a huge, 48-inch display screen that stretches across the dash, a secondary 11.1-inch touchscreen, Google-based tech functions, more comfort features (including a “rejuvenate” mode that Ford boasts makes the the Navigator a “spa on wheels,” and a split liftgate with the top rising like a typical liftgate and the bottom folding downward like a pickup tailgate.

Tweaks to the front  and rear also feature new headlights and taillights.

The base Premiere trim was dropped for 2025 but returns for 2026 along with the Reserve trim that served as my test vehicle and the top-of-the-line Black Label. There are also L (for long wheelbase) versions of each trim for those seeking a bit more in the way of cargo space.

A 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine powers all three trims in a spirited fashion. It is rated at 440 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, moving its heft from zero-to-60 mph in under six seconds. It also can tow up to 8,700 pounds.

For optimal performance, it drinks recommended premium fuel at a pretty good clip (15 miles-per-gallon city, 22 highway, 17 overall), though you can get by on regular 87 octane.

Standard interior features include a heated steering wheel, power adjustable pedals with memory, power tilt-and-telescoping steering column with memory, power third-row seats that fold flat,
heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, tri-zone climate control, and more.

The 360-degree camera is a must with a vehicle of this size — 210 inches long and 94.6 inches wide including the mirrors — and also standard is Lincoln’s Co-Pilot 360 2.0 package that adds a backup camera, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system.

Other standard features include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Lincoln’s Revel 28-speaker sound system, adaptive headlamps and LED tail lamps, a panoramic Vista roof with sunshade, and power deployable running boards.

MSRP for the 2026 Lincoln Navigator starts at $94,890 for the Premiere trim, $104,890 for the Reserve, and $122,420 for the Black Label. Long-wheel versions come in at $3,000 higher.

What I liked about the Lincoln Navigator: The cabin is roomy and quiet and has a high-class, sophisticated aura about it with plenty of cargo space available. The twin-turbo V6 packs good punch for a vehicle of this size. The running boards are a must for getting in and out comfortably.

What I didn’t like about the Lincoln Navigator: The mammoth size makes maneuvering in crowded mall parking lots a laborious task. The panoramic dashboard looks impressive but kind of complicates operation of some tech functions. It takes a while to get used to where to look for some of them. Lincoln has put controls for such basic features as adjusting exterior mirrors and the steering wheel on small touchpads on the steering wheel crossbar and they can be very annoying to operate. The steering wheel itself is an odd shape.

Would I buy the Lincoln Navigator? Too big for me, but if you are shopping for a large luxury SUV and the Cadillac Escalade is a bit over-the-top for you, the Navigator is a great option.

2026 GMC SIERRA

VERSATILE SIERRA OFFERS LOTS OF CHOICES FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR FULL-SIZE PICKUP

Introduced as a 1988 model, the Sierra pickup is the longest running vehicle in the GMC fleet, edging GMS’s Yukon SUV that debuted four years later for the honor.

But with large gaps between major redesigns, the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 is in only its fourth generation that came about in 2019. Though it shares very much of its DNA with the Chevrolet Silverado, the GMC Sierra is considered a step up in class when it comes to refinement and premium features over its Chevy “sibling.”

The 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 is offered in eight trims with three cab figurations, three bed lengths (depending on the cab), and four engines determined by trim selected. There’s even a turbocharged diesel available along with turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine and two different V8s, one listed at 5.3-liter, the other at 6.2-liter.

The base model is the Pro trim and is followed up the ladder by SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Ultimate Denali.

This review is based on the 2026 GMC Sierra AT4X which was introduced as a 2022 model and adds premium features to the AT4 trim that was part of the redesign of 2019.

Both the AT4X and AT4 are tuned more for off-road ventures than the other trims with the AT4X getting more in the way of upgraded premium features as well.

Among standard interior features on the 2026 GMC Sierra AT4X are full-grain leather seats, heated front and rear outboard seats and ventilated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power steering column, dual zone climate control, and a power sunroof.

Numerous tech systems operated mostly on a 13.4-inch touchscreen with built-in Google compatibility. They include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, wireless charging, and navigation.

There is also a 12.3-inch digital driver information center, a 16-inch diagonal head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and adaptive cruise control. Keyless open with push-button start is standard.

A suite of features in GMC’s Pro Safety systems includes forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, following distance indicator, and automatic high beam toggles.

Front and rear parking assist, trailer side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic braking, front and rear pedestrian alert and HD Surround monitoring also are standard.

The 2026 GMC Sierra AT4X also comes with a steel front bumper, LED cargo area lighting, spray-on bed liner, LED daytime running lights, and GMC’s multipurpose tailgate.

The base Pro trim 2026 GMC Sierra starts at under $47,000 but the AT4X resides at the higher end of the pricing chart. Starting MSRP is listed at $79,400, which is a pretty steep increase.

My test 2026 GMC Sierra AT4X included the AEV (American Expedition Vehicles) package that added an AEV front chassis skid plate, AEV transfer case skid plate, AEV stamped rear bumper, 18-inch high gloss black aluminum wheels, AEV rear differential skid plate, rocker protection, AEV branded floor liners, AEV fuel tank skid plate, and more.

The optional 6.2-liter naturally aspirated Ecotek V8 engine added another $1,500. It is rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Premium fuel is recommended for best performance. Government figures show efficiency ratings of 14 miles-per-galloon city, 16 highway, and 15 combined, which coincidentally are the same number for models using the 5.3L V8 that runs on regular octane gas.

With all the options the final price for my test 2026 GMC Sierra AT4X came to $89,945 including a hefty destination charge of $2,595.

What I liked about the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X: The cabin  is spacious (43.4 inches of rear legroom) and loaded with lots of fairly easy to use tech features. The digital mirror and surround vision camera are nice safety features. 

What I didn’t like about the 2026 GMC 1500 AT4X: The setup for off-roading ventures eliminates a much-needed running board for cabin access. (Though you can use the optional protective rocker panel rails if you are careful.) It’s not easy to find parking spaces in mall lots to accommodate its size. Options like the AT4X AEV package quickly run up the price.

Would I buy the GMC 1500 AT4X? Not in the market for truck of any size but especially not one this big. Your decision will be whether to pay extra for the interior upgrades like full-grain leather heated and cooled seats or make do with the less expensive Chevy Silverado.