That's about $8,000 more than the Infiniti M Hybrid, which starts at $53,700, but more than $33,000 less than the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid, which starts at $95,000. All three models provide similar acceleration figures, though Infiniti is particularly proud of its M Hybrid, which has claimed a 5.5-second 0-62 mph time--a few ticks quicker than the BMW or the Porsche.
Nevertheless, the ActiveHybrid 5's 335-horsepower combined output, including a 300-horsepower inline turbocharged six-cylinder and a 54-horsepower electric motor paired with a lithium-ion battery pack, is sure to provide plenty of driving fun--and you'll never notice a few tenths on the road. Especially if you're driving it like a hybrid.
In the case of the ActiveHybrid 5, driving it like a hybrid includes the ability to travel up to 37 mph in electric-only mode, though the all-electric range is a scant 2.5 miles. It will only reach its maximum electric-only distance at an average speed of 22 mph.
No matter the details, the ActiveHybrid 5 is sure to be another of the sort of hybrids we'd like to see more of: well-built, luxurious, sporty, and still fuel efficient--though BMW still hasn't released official fuel economy figures for the U.S.