Subsequent 12 months must be an enormous one for BMW. With the introduction of the long-awaited Neue Klasse of autos, beginning with the very spectacular BMW iX3, the Bavarians are ushering in a brand new period, beginning in 2026. However earlier than we head into new waters, it’s useful to look again at what was, the place BMW got here from, and the perfect automobiles of the previous 12 months. So listed here are the perfect BMWs, no less than in our e book, from 2025.
There have been many nice Bimmers on sale for 2025, even when all of them had been launched a lot, a lot sooner than that. And a few of them will nonetheless be on sale in 2026. So this record is neither an introduction nor a farewell. It’s merely a glance again on the ultimate 12 months earlier than BMW’s Neue Klasse begins reshaping the model eternally.
Greatest Sports activities Automobile: BMW Z4 M40i “Handschalter”
That is arguably a very powerful class for any record of BMWs. You don’t earn an “Final Driving Machine” motto for making luxurious SUVs, in any case. And, merely put, the perfect sports activities automobile with a Roundel final 12 months was the BMW Z4 M40i with the “Handschalter” package deal.
Whereas followers weren’t precisely shocked when BMW introduced it was giving the Z4 a guide, because it had been rumored for some time, it was nonetheless thrilling information. Fortunately, BMW delivered on such pleasure, because the Z4 M40i is sensational with three pedals and a stick. BMW calls the choice a “Version Handschalter Package deal,” and it comes with just a few different goodies, like upgraded wheels, M Sport brakes with crimson calipers, Prolonged Shadowline trim, black mirror caps, and black excessive gloss trim inside. What actually issues is the six-speed guide transmission, which will get paired to BMW’s ever-so-brilliant B58 engine.
The Z4 M40i was already a significantly better sports activities automobile than it acquired credit score for, even with its beforehand obligatory ZF-sourced eight-speed computerized. Nonetheless, giving it a guide transmission unlocked all of its sports activities automobile potential, which felt revelatory. After spending every week with the guide Z4, I used to be utterly smitten and, extra importantly, felt that it was the perfect BMW on sale. Interval. I do know that sentiment is shared amongst lots of the model’s followers.
There are many nice driving Bimmers proper now. However none of them really feel as very similar to an old-school BMW sports activities automobile because the guide Z4 M40i. It’s simply the right mixture of light-weight dealing with, excellent chassis stability, exact steering, and punchy energy. And because the Z4 nonetheless makes use of BMW’s now-ancient, however nonetheless sensible, iDrive 7, it doesn’t really feel like an excessively sophisticated techno-fest inside. It’s only a easy, no-nonsense BMW cabin that’s purposeful, ergonomic, and intensely effectively constructed. The Z4 M40i “Handschalter” isn’t simply the perfect BMW sports activities automobile of 2025, it’s probably the greatest sports activities automobiles on sale, full cease.
Greatest SUV: BMW X5 xDrive50e
Should you mentioned that your entire BMW X5 household is the perfect SUV in BMW’s lineup, you in all probability wouldn’t get an argument from me. Whereas I’m an enormous fan of the X7, with its spectacular mixture of inside area and shocking driving dynamics, the X5 is a sensational general SUV. It nonetheless seems to be nice, regardless of being close to the tip of its life-cycle, its inside is attractive and largely very merely laid out (even when the newer iDrive 8 is a bit a lot), and it’s beautiful to drive.
Among the many X5 lineup, it isn’t the monstrous M Competitors, nor the cozy V8-powered M60i that put on the crown, although. It’s the extra humble X5 xDrive50e. OK, in order that isn’t the sexiest or most fun selection, however it’s the proper one. The X5 50e is the right mixture of attributes that make BMW’s longest-running SUV so nice. It’s nonetheless snug, foregoing any brittle M Efficiency suspension, but it nonetheless handles with typical BMW stability. And it’s nonetheless fast, hitting 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, due to its sensible B58 straight-six engine that’s paired to an electrical motor. Add 40 miles of all-electric vary and wonderful 58 MPGe, and you’ve got probably the greatest all-around luxurious SUVs in the marketplace.
Greatest Convertible: BMW M850i Convertible
OK, OK, so it’s sort of odd saying the Z4 M40i is the perfect sports activities automobile after which not giving it the perfect convertible title, too. I get it. However we should restrict every automobile to 1 title; in any other case, the guide drop-top would take most of those. Even nonetheless, although, the getting older BMW M850i Convertible makes a compelling case for itself right here. It does precisely what it’s speculated to do and does it effectively: it’s a grand tourer within the truest sense.
Outdated-school grand tourers are quietly dying, with out the type of fanatic protest surrounding the demise of guide transmissions or conventional sports activities automobiles. However the M850i is among the many final of a dying breed, and it must be applauded for sticking round. Regardless of it being one of many oldest automobiles in BMW’s lineup, it’s nonetheless probably the perfect wanting (maybe as a result of it’s one of many oldest). Just like the equally gray-haired Z4, the M850i additionally has an older-style inside with iDrive 7, and it’s so significantly better for it. Bodily, metallic buttons and understated but wealthy supplies adorn the cabin, making it really feel costly and substantial, moderately than the superficial techno-whiz-bangery present in some extra trendy BMWs.
Get behind the wheel, and the M850i delights with a refined, snug journey, easy and balanced dealing with, and easy energy. It isn’t a automobile you drive in anger, it’s one you simply take pleasure in whilst you get from one place to a different, in a short time. It’s precisely what a great GT automobile is meant to be, and that deserves applause earlier than BMW lastly kills it off.
Greatest Worth: BMW M340i
There must be a 3 Sequence on this record someplace, proper? The three Sequence has all the time been BMW’s bread and butter, and it nonetheless is, even because the model marches into the long run. This G20-generation 3 Sequence is getting previous itself, with a Neue Klasse substitute on the way in which. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless probably the greatest general sport sedans in the marketplace, and the M340i is the perfect instance of it. With the all the time spectacular B58 engine underneath the hood, the M340i is quicker than nearly each M3 ever made. It might in all probability dangle with most M3s on observe, too, with exact steering and balanced dealing with. And nonetheless, it’s snug sufficient to stay with day-after-day, has room within the again seat for 2 adults or three youngsters, and packs a sufficiently big trunk to deal with most every day life.
Positive, the M340i isn’t fairly as exact or as enjoyable as some earlier generations of three Sequence. Nevertheless it’s about nearly as good as you’re gonna get these days. There are sedans which might be extra enjoyable to drive than the G20 3 Sequence, such because the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Cadillac CT4, and Acura TLX. However none of them present the identical mixture of enjoyable, refinement, consolation, and tech that the three Sequence does. And the M340i is quicker than the remainder of them, in addition.
Whereas the M340i has gotten a bit costly, at over $62,000 to start out, it’s onerous to beat as an general worth proposition. The M340i can fairly be the whole lot you want as a every day driver, whereas nonetheless being enjoyable on a twisty again street, and able to smoking sports activities automobiles at cease lights. It’s onerous to beat that breadth of functionality for any value.
Greatest Trying BMW: Speedtop
Perhaps I’m dishonest a bit with this one, because the Speedtop isn’t accessible to mere mortals. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless a automobile that BMW produced and offered in 2025. And simply take a look at it. Are any of you truly going to argue that the Speedtop isn’t the best-looking BMW of the 12 months?
The BMW Speedtop relies on the 8 Sequence, however its bodywork is totally distinctive. For starters, it’s a flipping taking pictures brake, with its lengthy three-door wagon physique model, which earns it massive model factors by itself. Past that, although, it’s additionally only a actually attractive form, with its low hood, shark-like entrance finish, squinty headlights, and bulging rear fenders. It seems to be highly effective and opulent on the similar time, whereas additionally being much more sensible than a typical coupe. I additionally love its easy wheels and need BMW would migrate that design over to a few of its extra attainable autos.
OK, so for the inside, BMW simply did its finest WinAmp impression by reskinning an 8 Sequence cabin with new colours and calling it a day. Nonetheless, it’s a handsome inside with an admittedly superbly bespoke trunk. Whereas it’s absurdly costly, at a rumored $500,000, it’s nonetheless the best-looking factor BMW put out all 12 months, so it deserves this title even whether it is unobtanium.
