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The 6 Best BMWs To Buy In 2026 For Every Kind Of Driver

By Karl Furlong Autoblog

Updated May 23, 2026 8:26 AM

These BMWs excel in different ways

Once the gold standard for driving enjoyment among luxury automakers, the modern BMW lineup has branched out to include much more than enthusiast vehicles. In 2026, BMW is also a leader in vehicle technology, a top choice for spacious family-friendly SUVs, and offers a growing electrified lineup. Despite all that's new, the driver-focused DNA of the company remains intact throughout most of the M range.

All of this means there's no single best BMW. Rather, the best BMW you can buy in 2026 depends on what you need or want from a new car. Here, I've broken down what I believe are the best new BMWs into six distinct categories. They were chosen based on performance, comfort, real-world practicality, Autoblog's own testing experience, and their strengths alongside direct segment rivals. With all that being said, here are the best BMWs you can buy, in no particular order.

1. Best BMW Family Vehicle: BMW X5

Assuming you don't need the three-row versatility of an X7 (which doesn't have a very spacious third row, anyway) we're going with the less bulky X5 as the nicest BMW model for a family. It's not as much of a chore to drive in the city, but large enough for a family of four or five to get comfortable. It's been around for a while now and a replacement is on the way, but the current X5 is possibly the best-looking BMW SUV on sale, especially after its most recent facelift. The interior boasts outstanding quality and fair usability, assuming you take the time to familiarize yourself with the iDrive system.

As this is our top choice for families, we're going with the standard sDrive or xDrive40i models, which have a silky 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo engine. With 375 horsepower, it's got more than enough power for a family SUV without resorting to the much greater thirst of the V8-powered M60i. Smooth and comfortable when it needs to be and fun to drive when you're in the mood, the X5 does very little wrong.

2. Best BMW for Luxury Motoring: BMW i7

The current 7 Series isn't the best-looking BMW you can buy, although the facelifted model has improved matters somewhat. It's also expensive, we found a lot of the tech to be overly complicated, and it's too heavy to be genuinely engaging. But if you're looking for the most comfortable, refined new BMW, nothing beats this. We chose the electric BMW i7 model specifically, as the complete lack of mechanical noise suits a full-size luxury sedan like this one.

The i7 disposes with bumps better than almost any other car on the market and the interior always remains quiet. It doesn't quite surpass the S-Class for sheer comfort, but it gets closer than any previous 7. If you're lucky enough to have a chauffeur, the superb back seat is the place to be. It has stretch-out space, a reclining seat, and can be optioned with a giant 31.3-inch screen that folds down from the ceiling. A press of a button can close the rear window blinds, making it the perfect place to unwind, whether you're on the long road or waiting at a charging station.

3. Best BMW for Enthusiasts: BMW M2 Manual

Many of the best BMW models on sale are M cars. While it's always tempting to go for the even more powerful M3 or M5, those have become almost unnecessarily large, and the point of a fun BMW is one that's small enough to be effortlessly thrown around on a track. The M2 best exemplifies the qualities of a fun BMW. It's not too large, comes with rear-wheel drive, and gets a six-speed manual; we recommend going for this gearbox instead of the automatic.

Producing 473 hp from its 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, it can reach 60 in 4.1 seconds. But the numbers feel less relevant when you're driving this car in anger. After our drive in the M2, we rated the powertrain and driving dynamics 10 out of 10. Immediate throttle response and direct steering make it enormously fun to drive fast. It doesn't hurt that this car is over $13,000 cheaper than the base M4, which has the same engine and output.

The newly announced BMW M3 CS manual may be the ultimate track toy, but we haven't driven it yet and it's expected to be produced in very limited numbers. It's also a six-figure vehicle, leaving the M2 as a much more attainable choice for the enthusiast.

4. Best Electrified BMW: BMW i4

Until the Neue Klasse models like the iX3 and i3 arrive, the i4 gets the nod for being the best electrified BMW you can buy, including hybrids. When we drove the BMW i4, we said it feels much like a 3 Series, which is high praise for an EV. It does a good job of soaking up bumps but remains responsive. And, because it's not as big and heavy as an i5 or i7, it's more engaging than those models.

Last year, Consumer Reportsrated the i4 as the most reliable EV. It also hasn't switched over to the new Panoramic Display, so you get a familiar-feeling, intimate cabin that's well-built and easy to make sense of. The maximum range is a decent 333 miles and all variants are quick. Although the upcoming i3 means the end for the i4, this is a proper BMW that just happens to be fully electric, and a great option if you can still find one.

5. Best BMW for First-Time Luxury Buyers: BMW X1

For anyone climbing the corporate ladder and wanting to buy their first new BMW at around the $40,000 to $45,000 price point, the choices include the 2 Series Coupe, 2 Series Gran Coupe, X1, and X2. Of this group, the X1 gets my vote as the best first-time BMW. It may be BMW's smallest SUV, but passenger and cargo space are not far off the larger X3 at all. The latest BMW X1 looks and feels much more premium than older versions of the X1, from the high-definition displays to the solid thunk when you close the doors.

The base xDrive28i produces 241 hp and can reach 60 in a swift 6.2 seconds. It starts at $43,200, making it one of the cheapest new BMWs on sale. It's an entry-level BMW that still gives off the luxury vibe someone would expect of the badge.

6. Best BMW if Money Is No Object: BMW M5 Touring

2025 BMW M5 Touring Kristen Brown Kristen Brown

What's one of the best BMW cars to buy if you have access to unlimited funds? Well, BMW Alpina hasn't released its first production model yet-although it's expected to be a stunner-so until then, I'm settling on the M5 Touring. Starting at $125,300, this immensely powerful plug-in hybrid wagon can either cruise silently on electric power or wake up a whole neighborhood with its screaming V8.

I chose the Touring over the M5 sedan, simply because the wagon looks even cooler. The 717-hp powertrain will get this monster from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, yet it's also very practical. When we drove the M5 Touring, we appreciated the multifaceted nature of this machine, which can do a bit of everything.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, then, the best BMW is not one car but at least five or six. My personal preference is for sportier coupes, so the manual M2 is the new BMW I'd buy if I had the budget to afford one. As always, BMW's 2026 lineup is filled with vehicles with the image, quality, and performance discerning buyers expect. In the coming months, we'll be introduced to the first Neue Klasse vehicles from the brand, which could quickly supplant a few of the models on this list. For now, U.S. fans have plenty to choose from and remain passionate about a brand that continues to outsell its immediate luxury rivals.

This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 8:15 AM.